CASA OC
Blog
Advocate of the Month | Jeff Roedersheimer
“I believe you are the five people you hang out with, and the more good, stable adults we can put around these kids, the better chance they have. They see a different path, a different way to behave, a different way to treat people, and that’s who they become. We’re human, we’re adaptable, but if we don’t have those good influences around us, we will succumb to that.” Jeff Roedersheimer, CASA Volunteer & Boardmember
Advocate of the Month | Paul Hardy
“The CASA training was fantastic. I’ve been through all sorts of training in my corporate career and I thought the CASA training was excellent. It’s a different role, most people have no idea what kids in foster care have been through. The training helped us to understand that and gave us techniques to support our youth which were really, really good.” - Paul Hardy, CASA Volunteer
Advocate of the Year | Christopher Williams
“I feel a bigger obligation because I know how critical my work is. David has changed social workers, schools, lawyers and placements multiple times since we’ve been together. I am one of the few consistent things in his life. That’s what makes this role feel so impactful to me.” Christopher Williams, CASA Volunteer
Advocate of the Month | Cynthia Smith
“When I first met Ellie, I put my hand on her shoulder and she flinched and moved away from me. She looked at me and said, ‘It’s not your fault, I just don’t like to be touched.’ I told her I understood. Recently, we were sitting next to each other, and she took my head and pulled it over onto her shoulder as if to comfort me. The fact that she has come from not wanting to be touched at all, to knowing that she can connect with me and we can hug and it can be a positive thing, has been huge growth.” Cynthia Smith, CASA Volunteer
How do CASAs Support Kids in Care?
Children in foster care experience frequent disruptions in their lives. They are removed from their family home, often placed with strangers, and typically have to start over at an unfamiliar school with new classmates and teachers. Social workers, lawyers, therapists and other professionals come and go increasing the child’s feeling of instability. CASAs try to mitigate this instability by building a long-term, reliable relationship with a youth; providing consistent support and continuity that is often lacking in their world.
Children's Champion | Alisa Abecassis
“CASA can provide a relationship for these children that can be incredibly positive and I’m just happy to continue to do this work. It’s such an amazing program and all my friends who have done it feel incredibly fulfilled and blessed to have this opportunity. So I’m going to continue to inspire more people to do it.” Alisa Abecassis, CASA Volunteer
2024 CASA Youth Holiday Party
Advocate of the Month | Yvonne Tsao
Yvonne describes her shorter term case, “Family maintenance cases usually involve a youth who’s been reunified with their family of origin or with another guardian where permanency is the plan. The court monitors the family for six months to make sure the parent or guardian is complying with everything they’re supposed to do.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Court Appointed Special Advocates
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a rewarding and important volunteer opportunity. CASAs are community volunteers who advocate for children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and are in the care of the foster care system.
Advocate of the Month | Vonette Carter
Vonette’s advocacy has helped Abby navigate the process of securing a California State ID, opening a bank account, visiting colleges, applying for scholarships, and writing her first resume. Vonette beams with pride as she describes coaching Abby on walking into a local business to apply for a job. “She crushed it when she spoke to the manager and asked for a job!!”
CASA Match Activity Spotlight: Día de los Muertos
Over 50 CASA volunteers and their youth recently attended a Día de los Muertos celebration which was hosted by CASA OC.
CASA OC receives grant from National CASA for DEI
CASA OC receives grant from National CASA for Volunteer Recruitment
Advocate of the Month | Carrie Yanez
How to Become a CASA Volunteer: Step-by-Step Guide
Myths About Being A CASA Volunteer
Advocate of the Month | Dan Oliver
A Day in the Life of a CASA Volunteer
