Stand Up for Foster Youth

My girls have been fortunate to have so many loving adults in their lives; family, teachers, neighbors, and friends who show up. It's hard to even imagine what life would look like without all of that. But I know that's not the reality for every child, and especially not for children in foster care.

That's really why I became a CASA volunteer three years ago. I wanted to be that person for a child who didn't have enough of those people in their corner. I was matched with a young teen who was carrying a lot — her self-esteem was really low, and she mostly just felt hopeless about things. I wasn't going to be able to fix everything, and I knew that going in. But I could show up. I could listen and encourage her and just be someone steady in her life. A year and a half later, she was standing a little taller. She was starting to believe in herself and see that things could actually be different for her.

That stayed with me. I saw what one adult, just one consistent, caring person could do for a kid. And it made me want to do more. So I joined the CASA staff as a Volunteer Recruitment Manager, and now I get to look for that same quality in other people — adults who have a caring heart that a child in foster care needs.

These kids deserve better than uncertainty and fear. They deserve someone who believes in them. Your pledge helps us find those people and keep doing this work. Thank you!