CASA volunteer Ian Thomason received the call that he’d been selected from over 550 advocates to be honored as CASA’s 2023 Advocate of the Year. The plan was to recognize Ian and his CASA youth, Ruben, at the annual Celebration Gala. Ian and Ruben went to work preparing remarks about their journey together to share with attendees at the Gala. Their story touched on Ruben’s challenges navigating his way through five different social workers, multiple schools and four different living placements in just 18 months.
Ian wrote about his nervousness as a newly trained CASA meeting Ruben for the first time. “We officially met in October of 2021 and boy was I nervous. If it weren’t for the CASA training program and support staff around me, especially my supervisor Adrianna Gonzalez, I would not have felt comfortable entering Ruben’s life as I did. Once we were matched and had our first hangout, I quickly realized that Ruben greatly wanted someone in his life to talk to. Someone that would listen. Like most children in foster care, Ruben was rarely heard.”
Ruben and Ian quickly bonded over dozens of dinners and events they shared together. Ian proved to be the good listener Ruben really needed after feeling unheard as a youth in and out of the foster care system since he was only six years old. And Ruben demonstrated tremendous resiliency through all of the many transitions and challenges he faced in foster placements and in school. Ian shared, “When Ruben was having issues at one of his foster homes, he made a statement that I heard loud and clear. He said he did not want to become a typical foster kid statistic. That night we grabbed dinner and discussed how he could avoid becoming that statistic. When things weren’t working out with his living arrangement, I did my best to advocate for him.”
Ian and Ruben were successful in advocating for Ruben to live on his own, in an environment where he flourished and was accepted into the Samueli Academy, a public charter school that prepares students for college readiness. Ian shares the challenges Ruben still faced, “Unfortunately, Samueli wasn’t easy for Ruben to get to. Ruben rode his bike one mile to the bus stop and had to take two buses to get to school. He also would get up and workout before doing all of this. Several nights a week he either was working a job or volunteering to ensure he was able to maintain his independent living status. And somehow, he managed to squeeze hanging out with me into his schedule. He did all of this when he was only 17. I can’t imagine having the discipline to do all of that on my own at that age.”
Because Ruben now lived much closer to Ian, the two were able to spend more time together during the work week. Ian maintained a very busy schedule as a Vice President of Sales that required travel throughout his west coast region. However Ian says, the two had time to “travel the world together through food.” According to Ian, “We were constantly trying new places. It was over these dinners that I was able to mentor him or lend that listening ear that he always craved. We discussed business management and how to motivate people over Italian food. We chatted about comics, literature and the book he was writing over several sessions of sushi. Over a bowl of Pho, we discussed boxing and working out goals. We set up his bank account and investment account over Boba tea and Taiyaki ice cream.” Ian continues, “While eating potato wedges on the pier in San Clemente, we discussed family and the rejection he’d experienced from his own family. We discussed how sometimes the families we are born into aren’t the only ones we have and, as life goes on, we get to choose the families we create. He heard these talks, took them to heart and I know he is going to be set up for success due to our outings together.”
As the Celebration Gala approached, they reviewed the speech they were going to present and looked forward to sharing their story. However, as is often the case for youth in the foster care system, plans took a last minute turn. Due to a difficulty with his living situation, Ruben expedited his decision to join the military six weeks earlier than he had originally planned, and was unable to join Ian for the festivities.
Ian was still able to deliver his remarks to a sold-out crowd of CASA supporters at the Celebration Gala and attendees were able to view a video that Ian and Ruben recorded together before Ruben departed for boot camp.
According to Ian, Ruben continues to thrive and recently graduated from boot camp and the School of Infantry in Quantico, VA. His ultimate goal is to become an Embassy guard. Ian says Ruben is enjoying the military and, “working his butt off.” He recently reunited with his sister, and Ian and his girlfriend traveled to Ruben’s graduation.
Ian was recently matched with a new youth who is 15. “He’s interested in sports, skateboarding, and likes being outdoors so we will try and do some of those things together. He seems like a pretty active kid and we both like football so that is something we can bond over,” said Ian.
According to Ian, being a CASA is manageable despite his busy schedule with a full time job, family and travel commitments. He also makes time to attend Men of CASA events when he’s in town and tries to help recruit more younger men to consider becoming a CASA volunteer. “Most of the role models in Ruben’s life have been women and it’s nice for boys to have a male to look up to. I think there’s sometimes an easier camaraderie that can develop when there are shared interests - even if it’s just sports. I think boys can sometimes feel there will be more of an understanding when talking to a man about a problem you’re having,” said Ian.
Adrianna Gonzalez is Ian’s Advocate Supervisor and said, “Ian was selected as Advocate of the Year for several reasons; his passion and authenticity in supporting our CASA youth has been boundless since his first day as a CASA. His enormous heart for serving children continues to be showcased. He truly is the definition of a CASA superstar with the kindest heart and generous spirit that is contagious to all. I am proud to be his Advocate Supervisor, we are grateful for you Ian!”
When asked why he believes he was selected for the Advocate of the Year honor, Ian modestly gives the credit to Ruben. “Ruben is a phenomenal youth and super articulate, he really stood out to CASA staff. He has accomplished so much and made such an impression. He graduated early and did all these amazing things we hope to see with our youth. I think I was also a good example of someone who has a really busy schedule but makes the time to serve as a CASA.” Ian added, “I’m super excited that one of my friends I brought to a Men of CASA event signed up, went through the training and has now been matched with his first youth.”
To learn more about becoming a CASA, sign-up to attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions or email CASA’s Volunteer Recruitment and DEIB Manager, Norma Mendoza.
