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Imagine you are 7 years old and your parents haven't been taking you to school. You love school -- it feels safe there and you really like your teacher and your friends. You keep telling your parents you want to go to school but they aren't listening. One day a stranger comes, takes you away from your parents, and places you with a new family. You are confused and scared but the new family takes you to school every single day, (yay!)
It's been so long since you've been in school and now that you're back, you notice you are having a hard time reading the board. You tell the new family you are staying with but they don't seem to believe you.
One day, a new adult comes to visit you. She introduces herself as Mary, a CASA volunteer. You don't really know what that means but she brought a game to play. It's a lot of fun! She asks how you've been doing and seems to really listen and care what you have to say. You tell her you're happy you're going to school again but you've been having a hard time reading the board. Mary tells you she understands and wants to try to help by bringing it up to the judge who make decisions on your case. The next thing you know, your new family is taking you to an eye doctor. You can finally read the board at school!
This is just one example of a way in which a CASA volunteer can help a child in foster care. CASA volunteers build relationships, make observations, and can make recommendations to the judge to help ensure the child's needs are being met. October is National Foster Youth Voice Month. This important initiative is a powerful reminder that we should empower and elevate the voices of young people with foster care experience, so that as they grow they will feel comfortable to also advocate for themselves.
Do you want to help elevate the voices of children in foster care? We have 24 children waiting for someone to help. Consider becoming a CASA volunteer or share this email with someone that you think would be interested!
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