"A two year commitment turned out to be a commitment for a lifetime; it was a perfect match!" - Virginia, CASA Volunteer

WRITTEN BY:

VIRGINIA

My name is Virginia Kyle and I was sworn in as a CASA on December 6, 2010. My supervisor approached me to let me know she had a match for me. After spending a couple of days reading the extensive file, I wasn’t sure I was ready to accept the challenge. 

Before I went to see him, he called to let me know how excited he was to meet with me. My supervisor and I went to his group home and we made a date to meet within the next few days. I was still apprehensive to take him out by myself, so I brought him a burrito and we played Uno at the group home. I kept losing; he felt sorry for me, so he let me win. That is when I knew he had a good heart and we would be okay. 

I met Kenny before his 16th birthday and we were together until he turned twenty-one. During those years, we met several times and spent many fun times going on outings and having meals together. We walked with llamas, hiked, went to the Segerstrom Theater, etc. I also signed him up to play soccer and basketball, he was very good at both. 

Since he had some negative behaviors that had gotten him in trouble, it was recommended he attend a program called “Boys’ Court.” We would attend court once a month to discuss his behaviors with the judge. It was a very positive program which let him know he had many people who cared about him and were pulling for him to succeed. 

Kenny stayed in the system until his 21st birthday. He still lives in a group home and is working. We see each other several times a year and we spent his 25th birthday together in February 2020. We will be life-long friends. The last time I saw him, he thanked me for everything I had done for him and said, “If it was not for you, I would not be where I am today.” I asked him,“ Where do you think you would have been?  “Jail” he replied. A two year commitment turned out to be a commitment for a lifetime; it was a perfect match!