CASA-OC is immensely grateful to our hardworking and dedicated volunteers. We appreciate the challenges that can come with the CASA role. We want to assure you that you are valued. Our agency could not exist without you.
Ode to CASAs
Sugar and spice and everything nice
Emails and meetings and court reports to write
Patience, compassion, and lots of driving too
The ability and willingness to put yourself in your youth’s shoes
So many acronyms it’s like alphabet soup!
Joy and laughter, but a little heartache too
Phone calls to make and outings to plan
“Just 25 bucks a visit? I’m not sure I can!”
30 hours of training is just the beginning
Creating advocacy goals keeps heads spinning
Typical teenager that cancels at the last minute
Biting your tongue when you hear language that’s explicit
Social worker email addresses are the longest you’ve ever seen
Hours in court sometimes makes you want to scream
Sometimes you’re unsure of the impact you make
But you don’t give up because you know what’s at stake.
One year or two, maybe 10 plus years down the line
You get a call from your kiddo thanking you for your time
Or maybe on that initial meeting you’re surprised with a hug
So unexpected that you can’t wipe the grin off your mug
Baking adventures and maybe a tantrum here and there
You take it in stride because you know they are scared
New memories, new challenges, and sometimes defeat
No matter what comes your way your heart won’t let you retreat.
