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.

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!!”

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

Balancing CASA Volunteering and a Full-Time Job

Advocate of the Month | Nadine Turner

CASA Volunteer Training: What to Expect

Benefits of Being a CASA