CASA Volunteers Making A Difference

While people and businesses across the state of Texas begin phasing in their reopenings, the work of Court-appointed special advocate volunteers hasn’t slowed as they’ve continued to carry out their responsibilities to the abused and neglected children to whom they’ve been assigned since before “social distancing” became part of our everyday vocabulary. 

But, those CASA volunteers do look forward to long-awaited in-person hugs and smiles. CASA of Central Texas is a non-profit organization that helps kids who have been abused and/or neglected.

The CASA volunteers play a crucial role in the court and child welfare system by providing information about each child’s current living situation in foster care or other temporary placement as well as helping to find permanent placements such as a child’s next of kin or adoption. 

A CASA volunteer also monitors each individual child’s mental health, medical, educational, and social needs. 

In 2019, CASA of Central Texas trained and supported 247 volunteers who were able to serve 587 children from Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays Counties — all along the corridor between Austin and San Antonio.

With hard work and strong voices, CASA volunteers gave their time and service for about 1 of every two children who needed them. 

CASA believes that every child has a right to a safe home and envisions a world where every child thrives in a safe, stable, loving home. 

A grand vision, which hasn’t made CASA put any ease on their operations.  CASA needs as many volunteers as they can get.

To help visualize how much a volunteer can help a child, CASA of Central Texas shares the story of Sharon and Kym. Sharon is a current CASA volunteer who just recently saw her appointed child, Kym, become adopted.

Kym’s life had been a struggle when she was first removed from her mother due to confirmed signs of abuse.

She was then transferred to her father but was eventually removed from his custody due to evidence of neglect.

At the age of 10, Kym again entered the foster care system three years ago. That’s when she met Sharon.

They were introduced at a local emergency shelter.  Sharon notes that they both seemed nervous at first; however, she was impressed by how well-spoken and bright Kym appeared to be.

Sharon was both in awe and somber, asking herself why such a precious soul had to endure such trauma. 

After a few moments of exchanging conversation, Kym eagerly opened up about her family and personal life.

Kym expressed how much she missed her father and school (Sharon notes that Kym is a straight-A student). Together, they discovered a shared love of art as Kym made a drawing for Sharon (a treasured moment to this day).

Kym had to move from the shelter and packed her belongings to go to a foster home.  Sharon explains that Kym had to change placements 12 times in the ensuing years.

With each move, Kym relied on the repeated tactic: opening herself to change. New school, new friends, new family, new therapists and doctors, and effectively a new life with every transfer. 

Despite the many changes, Kym always had a smile for Sharon. Although sometimes those smiles changed to tears as Kym felt the incredible stress of not having a permanent place she could call home. 

Sharon cried, too, but this also fueled her determination to stick with Kym and voice her needs and interests to the court until they could find the best home for her. 

With COVID-19, Sharon had to change her methods for staying in contact with Kym and the many people involved in her life — social worker, teachers, therapists — and her new family. 

Perseverance and prayers had been answered. After years of uncertainty, Kym eventually found her “forever” family.  The adoption was finalized in a court hearing held by video conference in April. 

Kym is now thriving, and she no longer has to move from one foster home to another. 

The family told Sharon they wish to stay in touch in the years ahead. After all, she had watched this child grow and stayed by her side through so much.

It is with the love and effort of volunteers like Sharon that many children in the foster care system can feel more confident in finding new loving homes. 

To view the full story of Sharon and Kym visit: www.casacentex.org/volunteer/my-volunteer-story/.

If helping children who have faced traumatic hardship is a cause you can get behind, CASA of Central Texas urges residents to consider becoming an advocate for a child or sibling group.

They are currently in need of volunteers who can help reach the goal of having a trained volunteer to speak up for every child.

Some of the requirements to become a CASA volunteer include being at least 21 years of age, and the willingness to commit to the duration of a case (minimum one year).

CASA said they want people to know that they need volunteers who can give about 10 hours per month to gain insight into the child’s life. 

If this information is grabbing an individual’s attention, CASA of Central Texas will have their next virtual training sessions start on June 24th. 

CASA also has free, casual information sessions where their Community Relations Coordinators answer questions about the volunteer program.

These sessions called “Voices” are currently held via Zoom with the schedule posted on their website casacentex.org and on Facebook @casacentex. 

For more information about CASA of Central Texas, email your inquiries at info@casacentex.org, or call (512) 392-3578 or (830) 626-2272.