“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
“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
“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
“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
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.
“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
Friends of CASA, a membership auxiliary of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 13, at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. This cherished tradition, which began as a Holiday Tea 29 years ago, has raised more than $7.2 million since 1995. This year’s event netted over $630,000, directly supporting CASA’s mission to provide a powerful voice and meaningful connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
CASA OC recently conducted a groundbreaking survey to understand the outcomes for youth who have emancipated from the foster care system after receiving mentorship from CASA volunteers. The findings highlight the power of consistent advocacy in fostering stability, educational success, and trusted relationships, while also identifying areas for growth to better serve youth in the future.
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.”
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.
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!!”
Over 50 CASA volunteers and their youth recently attended a Día de los Muertos celebration which was hosted by CASA OC.
