“...Perla was always there to be my second voice.”- Fernanda, Former CASA Youth

WRITTEN BY:

FERNANDA

CASA has been a beautiful blessing. To me, it means opportunity and care. CASA gave me a supporter that I never knew I needed. CASA helped me realize that the world I was living in had people that cared for my well-being. It gave me hope in dark times of my life. 

I was introduced to a couple of people before I met my friend/advocate Perla. She was the sweetest, warmest, most genuine person I had met so far, and we immediately connected. She was an advocate for me when I felt like my feelings or opinions were not heard. In one instance, my social worker was not responding to my concerns promptly. I remember I had many questions about my adoption (health care, name change), and Perla was always there to be my second voice. I felt confident that everything would be taken care of because someone was backing me up and on my team. She worked so hard to be a constant person in my life. I appreciate that more than she would ever know. She has been with me when I was living alone, she went to my graduation, to countless court visits, and has witnessed how my life has evolved into a happy one. I am now 21, and I have a loving adoptive mother, a safe home, and a beautiful friendship with Perla that I know will last a lifetime. I believe that God sends angels like CASA mentors to show love and compassion to youth like me.