Be a CASA!

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children . - Nelson Mandela 

When I was a kid, probably in middle school, I remember my mom helping a boy in foster care as a CASA volunteer. He even spent Christmas day with our family that year. Earlier in my life, I saw her mentor teen girls in our neighborhood. My mom always showed us that we could still help others with our limited resources. 

I want to help children in foster care even though my adoption experience didn't turn out the way I hoped. When I saw an ad for Dallas CASA a few months ago, I decided to submit an application. CASA is a national organization with local representatives. They are always looking for volunteers to serve the children in foster care. Last month, I was sworn-in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and I've already been assigned to a young person who is preparing for adulthood. (Of course, I requested to be matched with an older kid.)

I'm grateful for my mother's example and her inspiration.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Image
    What are you having? A baby. I don't want to know the gender prior to delivery. When is the baby due? The estimated due date is between my mom's birthday and my birthday in January 2025. What will you name the baby? I'll share the name after baby is born.  My nickname for now is "Joy". Do you want a boy or girl? I just want a healthy baby. Who is the father? Read the previous blog posts. Will you stop traveling? No  What did you do about the fibroids? I chose to pursue a natural health plan with Muhimu Oils Wellness Center . The largest fibroid was 10 cm and shrank to 8.5 cm following the plan prior to FET.  Since becoming pregnant, the hormones that help my baby grow are also helping the fibroids grow and putting me at risk for pre-term labor.  I believe and pray that my baby will keep growing and the fibroids will shrink. Where are you registered? registry details Does Isis know you're pregnant? Dogs know us better than we know ourselves. I smell diff...
Read more

School Daze

This morning, I saw school buses on my way to work. This morning, I saw school buses on my way to work. And I cried.  I know I've been in recovery mode for the past few months, and I've been allowing myself to feel all the feelings associated with grief.  I thought I was finally in the acceptance stage.  However, while crying in the bathroom at work this morning, I realized that I'm not there yet.  Something about learning that a new semester just started was very triggering for me.  I remembered that I was supposed to take off this week to help my kid transition to high school, and that wasn't going to happen.  I cried for all the other experiences that we wouldn't have together.  I cried because I missed her.  I cried because she's still in my heart. I have never experienced the loss of a baby, but I imagine that what I am feeling might be similar to what a mother of a stillborn child might feel.  For months, I prepared to welcome this chil...
Read more

Diamonds or Pearls

Today, I learned that the home visit report was submitted to the agency.  They will review the report and approve my application in the next few weeks. Then, I'll be licensed to foster/adopt. I'm excited about the progress. I've been asked about my placement preferences several times by the agency and home visit contractor. Everyone in my circle who knows about my journey has asked me the gender question. "Do you prefer boys or girls?" I'll use this post to address those questions. Boy or girl? I don't have a gender preference. I just want to connect with them no matter the gender. How many? I am open to having 2 kids placed in my home, because I want to accommodate siblings, and I don't currently have the capacity for more. Age? This is the answer that surprises most people. I am interested in children who are 10 years old or older. Why? I know that is the hardest group to place because they are not cute little babies. Older kids who age out of the...
Read more