Vanessa Barrios was only 24 years old when she first learned of CASA and decided to sign up for training. However, when it was time to be sworn-in, she was plagued with sudden doubts about her ability to do a good job. According to Vanessa, “I took a small break after finishing training because I thought, ‘I don't know if I can do this, I'm scared, I'm nervous, I don't know what the experience will be like,’ and then someone from CASA followed up to see if I was still interested…I decided to just go for it, and I'm really glad that I did.”

She first learned of CASA from an Instagram post during the Covid lockdown. Vanessa says, “It was during the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd’s murder. I was feeling very hopeless and the world felt dreadful. I was not in a good mental space working long hours from home just staring at the computer. I would work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep. So when I saw that post, I thought maybe this is my chance to make a difference, to find purpose and meaning during this time.”

That was five years ago and Vanessa has been matched with her youth *Jay ever since. She says, “Even though Jay has been my only case, I feel like I've lived so many different lives with him. Since we were matched back in 2021, he's been to at least nine different placements. I’ve learned to work with different caregivers; some are more open, friendly and kind, and some haven’t been a good experience with him.”

Vanessa shares, “He has lost personal items several times during moves from one placement to the next. Fortunately, we were able to replace some of his important things through a Starfish Wish that was granted which allowed us to get him a new hoverboard and protective equipment.” She adds, “When I met him when he was only 11 and now he just turned 16. He towers over me now in height and I just find that crazy!”

As with any youth, Jay’s interests have evolved since he’s become a teenager. Vanessa says, “He's going through so many changes. At times it’s been more challenging to connect with him because he's lost some of the interests that we had in common. I think over the years, he's become a little bit more guarded, which makes sense, given everything he's been through.”

Vanessa says, “He’s found new interests like cars and taking things apart and putting them back together - stuff I know nothing about. So, I just let him take it away and talk… he loves teaching me new stuff, so… in that sense, it works out.” It’s harder to get Jay to open up about the heavier things in his life, “I try to ask him about deeper issues and he doesn't really seem to want to talk about those sorts of things, which is fine because I think the child should lead the outings, and so we try to keep it light. I’ll ask him how school is going but he’s not interested in school right now. I know his social worker and the adults at school are hounding him about his school work so I try to keep things fun when we’re together.”

At times over the past five years, maintaining a relationship was challenged by geography when Jay was placed out of state with relatives. Vanessa tried to keep the connection alive via phone and video calls but there were often connectivity issues. Vanessa says, “I feel like nothing beats face-to-face, but when he was out of state, I would still try to show up in small ways, by sending a text wishing him a great day or by writing him letters. We had our little snail mail going on and that was really fun. I taught him where the address goes and where you put the stamp.”

Vanessa still has bouts of feeling like she’s not doing enough for her youth but credits her CASA Advocate Supervisor, Jordan Brown with helping her see how simply being a consistent presence in Jay’s life, through all of the chaos and changes he’s experienced, is enough. Vanessa says, “Jordan has given me good advice about how it can feel overwhelming sometimes. I really do like everything that CASA stands for and I feel very supported. Talking to my supervisor and knowing that CASA cares and sees me as a person, not just a volunteer, really makes a difference.”

Jordan says he nominated Vanessa to be recognized as Advocate of the Month due to her consistency and care in supporting Jay. He says, “Vanessa follows through unfailingly by attending all required meetings, supporting court processes whenever possible, and staying deeply connected to the needs of Jay. During a change in placement and loss of therapeutic services, Vanessa advocated fiercely to ensure that, despite the move, Jay’s relationship with his therapist could continue for the sake of his stability and emotional well-being. Vanessa is responsive, prepared, and consistently ready to offer updates, insights, and solutions on behalf of her youth.”

Vanessa says she appreciates how she feels very supported in her role as a young CASA. “I think that CASA takes a youth and people-forward approach, they're very caring. To anyone who is considering becoming a CASA, you will always be supported. If there's ever a point where you feel like you're not connecting with your youth, be patient, because the work is making a difference, even if you don't see it. I know that the lives of these kiddos are better for it, because they have someone in their corner rooting for them.

If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with CASA, please email Norma Mendoza or sign up to attend an upcoming Information Session.

*Name changed to protect privacy.