After 18 years serving as a CASA to nine different youth, Byron Schweitzer finally stepped away from his work as an advocate. But his time volunteering for CASA OC was far from over. Over the years, Byron has found many opportunities to contribute his time and, in late 2023, some of his financial resources, to support CASA’s work. As he enters his 22nd year of volunteering with and supporting CASA, Byron made the decision to extend his giving by transferring part of his annual IRA distribution directly to CASA OC.
This method of donating to CASA has become increasingly popular since it allows supporters of a certain age to dedicate a portion of their required IRA distributions to help Orange County youth in foster care. This type of qualified charitable contribution also allows the donor to exclude the amount donated from gross income which lowers adjusted gross income if they meet the age requirement.
For many years, Byron volunteered as a presenter to prospective CASA volunteers going through their required training. He would share his secret for connecting with his CASA youth over the years. “Just let them be,” he would tell trainees when talking about the broad range of personalities he encountered over the span of 18 years. Whether it was the complete silence he faced when first meeting *Christian, or the brash combativeness of 13 year old Randy, Byron would meet his youth where they were and just listen until they were ready to share.
Byron found his way to CASA via his sister who was a CASA in San Diego many years ago. She told him about the kids she worked with and it resonated with him, but it took 2 years until Byron finally placed a call to CASA. According to Byron, “Making that call was the most important call I’ve ever made.” Over the next 18 years, Byron worked with 9 boys and, all these years later, remains in close contact with three of them.
When he began volunteering as a CASA, Byron was 55, had no children, and no idea what to expect. His first match was with 10 year old Christian. When they first met, Christian had a history of behavioral issues after 18 placements in 8 years. Byron believes Christian’s behavior was his way of saying, “hang in there; I’m going to be testing you and not alway doing the right thing. Don’t give up on me.”
They spent 18 months visiting on a weekly basis. During that time Byron never missed a single visit with Christian. “The most important thing I’ve learned as a CASA is that there is great value in being a consistent presence in a child’s life,” said Byron. He added, “We easily filled about 6 hours every week; going to a movie, a favorite park, running up hills, getting a bite to eat, going to museums, batting cages, or the driving range.”
Eventually, Christian was adopted by his foster family and moved out of state. Byron continued to visit Christian once a year in Texas from the time he was 12 until he was 16. They would talk on the phone regularly even when they couldn’t see each other in person. They didn’t see each other in person for a decade and reunited when Christian was 26. Byron flew to Dallas to visit Christian and hold little Christian Jr. in his arms. The following year, Byron returned to celebrate Christian Jr.’s first birthday.
Byron went on to work with Randy who was 13 when they were matched. According to Byron Randy was going in the "wrong direction” when they first met. “He talked and vented non-stop with every 3rd word an ‘F-bomb’.” Byron said he learned to, “Just let a child be. One will be different from the next. Kids used the time in my car to be themselves. Christian became more conversant and Randy became more calm.” Byron believes kids want a break from, “the system” when they go out with their CASA. He wanted the inside of his car to feel different from the inside of the group home and a place to allow his CASA youth to be themselves. Byron would attend Randy’s wrestling matches and encourage his guitar playing and poetry writing.
Another youth that Byron remains in touch with is Mario who was 13 when they first met. Mario’s mother had recently died and his father was deported after being released from prison. According to Byron, “Mario could easily have chosen a path that led to being in a gang. We clicked right off the bat. But every time he received a new placement, he would run away.”
Byron said, “There is great value in just showing up and allowing these boys to be whoever they were. Over time, they just matured. Every year that goes by is a year further away from the abuse and neglect. Is it ever out of their mind? No, but they learn how to deal with it largely by maturing.” Just before Mario graduated, he said to the staff at his group home, “Everybody gave up on me all my life. I even gave up on myself. But this guy, Byron, never gave up on me”
The affection Byron feels for his grown CASA youth is evident as he shared, “One nice thing about sticking around with these kids even beyond the suggested two years is how nice it is to see the journey they take. It’s never even-keel. It’s ups and downs. All three young men are stable, working, two have their own families and all three are doing the right things.
When asked how it feels to hear something as profound as, “you’ve saved my life” or “you’re the father I never had,” Byron responded, “it gives my life a sense of purpose. I started doing this at 55. I’d been taking care of myself during that time and had a great life and great relationships. But the older I get, the more I believe there are no coincidences. There are things that are meant to be. I feel like I lived the first 55 years of my life to prepare for being a CASA. It’s not like I provide a lot of advice, I don’t.” With that, Byron burst into laughter as he added, “well, they may disagree with that.”
Byron and Christian, who is now 32, are as close as they’ve ever been. They end each call with, “I love you.” Byron asked Christian before one of his training talks if there was anything he wanted Byron to tell the class. Christian said, “Yeah, tell them I consider you to be a father to me and a grandfather to my children.” Christian also told Byron, “Tell the class, when the going gets tough, don’t give up.”
Tiffany McCain, CASA’s Director of Development, served as an advocate herself for nine years. She was so touched by Byron finding yet another way to support CASA, she said, “I am inspired by Byron's dedication to CASA throughout the decades. Byron's passion and spirit embody the mission of CASA. Adding an additional form of support through his IRA distribution helps fund the work we do to recruit and train more dedicated volunteers like Byron. I am so grateful for all that Byron continues to do for CASA OC!"
If you’d like information about supporting CASA through an IRA distribution, please contact Tiffany McCain. To learn more about becoming an advocate, please email Norma Medoza or sign-up to attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions.
* Names changed to protect privacy