"He is a wonderful young man and I’m so glad he is a part of my life." -Leny, CASA Volunteer

WRITTEN BY:

LENY, CASA VOLUNTEER

I was assigned to Austin shortly after he and his siblings were placed into foster care. Both the foster parents and Austin were opposed to having a CASA, as they saw it as something being forced upon them by a system they did not understand. Austin was very up-front and said he didn’t want a CASA. He didn’t trust me and he didn’t want to spend time with me. I suggested that we start meeting together and that if he still felt that way I would include that in my court report. Austin had extreme trust issues and it was important that I kept my word to him. As we approached the first court date, I asked him if I needed to let the court know he no longer wanted a CASA. He said no and was willing to continue our relationship.

At first, he was only willing to go out to eat or to the movies. With time, he began to invite me to his school functions and eventually his high school graduation. He willingly introduced me to his friends, teachers, and co-workers. As conversation flowed naturally, he would bring up deeper issues.  

His relationship with his foster family began to have some issues and his social worker rapidly had him moved to a transitional living apartment during his senior year of high school. This made the remainder of his senior year more difficult. After graduation, he attended a college out of the area. I was able to visit him at college a few times, but most of our relationship was via regular FaceTime chats. We would text each other random facts, pictures, or articles that we think the other will find interesting. During this time, Austin became deeply interested in photography. He would often send me pictures of photo shoots he had done and asked for my opinion. He is very talented and I would let him know which of the photos I especially liked and asked for details about the process. 

Our CASA relationship ended after he turned 21, but we have remained in contact four years later. He has been to my home and has met my family. He is a wonderful young man and I’m so glad he is a part of my life.