The most gratifying part of my CASA experience is knowing that I am genuinely making a difference in the lives of children and their families. I have been a CASA for about a year and a half, and throughout that time I’ve learned how powerful it can be simply to show up consistently for someone who needs support. The two cases I am currently working on involve young mothers, and I feel a strong connection with them. Being young myself, I can relate to the challenges they are facing and often find that they open up to me because they feel understood rather than judged. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that simply being there and offering understanding and support can help families feel less alone as they work toward a better future.
The best advice I would give to a new Advocate or someone thinking about becoming one is to remind yourself that this work is a marathon, not a sprint. It can be hard when cases don’t move as quickly as you hope, and there may be moments when you feel discouraged or impatient. But change takes time, and families are often doing the best they can with what they have. Watching them slowly grow, put in the work, and eventually reunite is incredibly rewarding, especially when you know you were able to walk alongside them and support them through such a difficult chapter of their lives.
