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About Us > Success Stories
Success StoriesCASA advocacy works. It changes the lives of everyone involved. Don’t just take our word for it, hear from children and others about how a CASA made a measurable and positive impact. Read on to discover a few of our success stories. | |
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Email from CASA child to her Advocate Hola Maggie, Here is a little something to let you know how much you mean to me in this special time of the year. Maggie, I thank God for putting you in my life. You know they say: "People come and go. God puts them in your way." They do their job —n— leave but sometimes we have a choice—either learn-n-remember the moments they had or keep them. I don’t know if I make sense but I want-n-will try to keep you. Cuz I always push my real friends away —n— I don’t want to do that again. You’ve been there 4 me, in good—n—bad times. Thanx a lot 4 being you. For caring—or changing me. Now I know not everyone wants to hurt me. |
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A CASA advocate keeps her child safe. Dear CASA: I attended a court hearing for my four year old CASA child yesterday. The court hearing yesterday terminated family reunification for my child with his mother. Living with his mother was a dangerous situation. He is now safe.. The CASA training enabled me to report what I saw with objectivity. I was able to communicate with my child’s attorney who did not realize the circumstance my child was in. I have maintained contact with DHS and two social workers involved in this case. I am so proud to do this work. CASA made it possible for me to be a friend to a little boy who needed help. I am hopeful that he will never be fully aware of why I came into his life. Thanks for this singular opportunity. Nancy Renfro, CASA | ||
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A CASA advocate helps child visit his siblings "Please tell the judge: I want to stay here, and I want to see my brothers and sisters." It had been a very long time since Raoul had seen his siblings. They were living with a relative who was not interested in working with the Department of Human Services. My report clearly stated the boy’s wishes and the Judge ordered sibling visitation to begin within thirty days! | ||
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A CASA volunteer never gives up. Gina was born exposed to crack cocaine and was being raised by her elderly, frail, Grandmother. When I was assigned to be Gina’s advocate, I quickly realized that Gina’s Grandmother might not be able to parent her to majority. I was desperate to talk with Gina’s mother. At best I hoped to reengage her in her daughter’s life and help the mother get the services she needed to recover from her addiction. Unfortunately, this was the fifth child that Gina’s Mother had lost to the system. The prognosis was not good. Everyone said that Gina’s mother would not respond. They knew where she lived but she would not open the door for anyone. Still, I felt that if I could talk with the mom, I could gather information about Gina’s father and his relatives. So, I implemented a plan. Every week when I visited Gina, I took a Polaroid picture of her and slipped it under the mother’s door with my phone number. After months of doing this I got a call from Gina’s mother who said, "You don’t give up, do you! Tell me about my daughter." I met with Gina’s mother many times. Although mother would not discuss treatment, I over the weeks she told her story. Sandra was able to get information about the father and his family. There were paternal family members who took an interest in Gina and began to visit her. Gina now has a bigger family of support. If anything happens to her Grandmother, she has a network of family to call. | ||
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