CASA Advocate of The Year Irene Strauss wasn’t even aware such an honor existed until she received word that she’d been awarded the honor for her work over the past seven years with Orange County youth in foster care. 

Irene first heard about CASA on a flyer that had been left in all of the teachers' boxes at the middle school where she taught. She was retiring, and it sounded like an interesting way to stay in touch with adolescents. Irene said, “I didn't realize at the time that ‘staying in touch’ doesn’t begin to express the difference a CASA can make in the lives of the kiddos we serve.” 

According to Irene, the four youth she has mentored over the past seven years have unique stories with a common thread. All four were victims of domestic abuse and exposure to drugs, and all four had parents who didn't protect them. They needed someone to be their voice – their advocate – and they needed someone they could always count on, no matter what may have happened or where they were.  

Irene described each of the children she has been a CASA to during this time:

“Cole was my first kiddo, and I was his CASA for four-and-a-half years. By the time he was 18, he had been in 26 placements and expelled from four of the five high schools he attended. Jon is only 15 years old, but he has already been in 12 placements in 3 years.  Mike, my newest kiddo, has a similar story, with 14 placements in 3 years. And in the one year I have been Jason’s CASA, he has either been incarcerated or on the run.” 

Irene shared the parallels that are often seen amongst youth in foster care. “In each situation, these kiddos are trying to find a place where they belong, and each time, they wind up joining the wrong crowd, making terrible decisions, or running away. From a very early age, the only person they have been able to count on has been themselves.” 

She related examples of her advocacy for her youth both in court and at school where they received what she called a “Swiss cheese education.” “Cole never liked school and missed countless days of instruction. But...when I pushed for after-school tutoring, he attended every session, possibly because he knew I would appear with his favorite Starbucks drink – a venti mocha frappuccino. Jason lost his library privileges when he tagged all the books he borrowed from Juvenile Hall. I told him I would bring him books on any subject that interested him, as long as he didn't tag them, and I put together a list of 75 books and graphic novels. It surprised me that he took so much time to read through the synopsis of each book, and when he went missing in May, he took books with him.” 

Irene also shared the importance of being there for her youth unconditionally and without question. “Jason was removed from his home at the age of 4 and placed with his aunt, who told him just 4 days before Christmas that she was done taking care of him. Jason was 7 at the time. Cole remembers being removed from his home at the age of 6 and placed with his grandmother, who loved and cared for him until she died. He still dreams about her, and in his dreams, she always takes the shape of a butterfly. These kiddos need to know that they have someone in their lives who will be there for them no matter what – who will always show up.”

She relayed some amusing experiences resulting from being the go-to person in the lives of her youth. “I ask them to memorize my phone number when I meet them for the first time, so they can always reach me anywhere, anytime. This promise has led to some funny moments, including a call from Jon while I was walking through New York's Central Park and a chat with Cole from the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan.” 

Over time Irene has learned to gauge what makes each kiddo comfortable and most likely to talk. “Usually, this involves food. With Jon, it's sushi. With Jason, who is incarcerated, it's Takis – and Mike likes Reese’s Pieces. When Cole really wanted to talk, he had to be walking, usually at the beach. These kiddos even call when they're on the run, because they know that I will worry about them. It may be the first time they have someone in their life who cares enough to worry.” 

Irene also recognized the support of the CASA team she has worked with over the years. “I would be nowhere without being included as part of an amazing team who understands the role that a CASA plays as a piece of the puzzle. These puzzle pieces include my CASA supervisors – Yariza, Kari and Amy – who always support and share insight; my social worker O'Brey, who is an incredibly patient teacher; my probation officer Eric, who is truly valued by these kiddos for being fair-minded, consistent, and dedicated; and my attorney Linda, who fights to give each kiddo every opportunity she can.”

She added, “And then there is the incomparable Judge Craig Arthur, who creates an inclusive courtroom and considers each kiddo as an individual in need of support and hope. By watching this dedicated team give so much to change the narrative for each child, I have learned to listen carefully to what my kiddos are saying – or leaving out – to remain patient, and to always consider what may yet be possible.”  Irene also recognized the role her family plays in supporting her work with CASA. “My family is a silent part of this work, willing to move their events and activities if I have a court date.” 

“So much of what shapes the lives of youth in foster care are things over which they have no control. If they had been given a different set of circumstances, they might now have a very different story. As it is, their stories are difficult – heart breaking even – and there is no magic wand. But sometimes, there is a sliver of hope. I mentioned earlier that Cole had been expelled from four of the five high schools he attended. But at the fifth school, he earned his high school diploma. The day of his graduation would have been a proud one for his grandmother, and the ceremony was one of the most touching I have ever attended. His mother even came, and she was elated, because Cole is the only member of his family to have graduated from high school.”

Irene continued, “As perfect as the ceremony was, the day only got better. Cole found me at the reception afterwards and gave me a flower, just like the one the graduates presented to their mothers during the ceremony. Cole had asked for a second flower – for me. It was one of the most poignant moments of my life. That moment – that ceremony – that flower – is the power of CASA, and it is an honor to be a part of it.”