"... I feel incredibly blessed to have matched with her years ago" - Jackelyn, former CASA Youth

WRITTEN BY:

JACKELYN, FORMER CASA YOUTH

CASA of OC introduced me to Michelle Summers, the advocate who played a pivotal role in my pursuit of higher education. I met Michelle Summers when I was 15 and she brought light into, at the time, my very dark life. Between our foodie adventures, beach days, movies, outdoor fitness challenges for charity, and prom dress shopping, she quickly became a friend I looked forward to seeing every other weekend. Michelle coordinated my orthodontic work after I fell off of my bike and knocked out two of my teeth. When my hair began thinning, she referred me to a specialty salon that sells and maintains semi-permanent wigs. She was always someone I could count on.

Once I turned 18 and she was no longer my CASA, she made sure to keep in touch and be a part of my life. After struggling with my independence for a few years, she welcomed me into her home and gave me a safe place to stay while pursuing my bachelor's degree at Cal State Fullerton. Michelle and her husband Bill have become my surrogate family and I feel incredibly blessed to have matched with her years ago. There's no question that it's because of her I'm able to achieve my goals and live a more normal life. It's because of Michelle that I have a bright future. Thank you, CASA, for bringing her into my life.