Local CASA Volunteer's Success Story

Contributed by: Fran G.

I was given my first case in February of this year a family of three children: A 13-year-old boy with mild autism, a 9-year-old girl, and a 4-year-old, all living with a Great Grandmother (74 years old).

The children have lived with their great grandmother for 4 years. There were so many questions that needed to be answered and I found that I had the time to find those answers. The lawyers, and social workers all cared for the family but lacked the time to get to know the family as well as I could.

I found, for example, that the 13-year-old boy had missed 54 days of school and had been late for his first hour class 34 times. There were several reasons, and all were easy to fix.

He needed an alarm clock, needed to stop spending the night at his favorite Aunt's house, and needed to take responsibility. I told him he was not allowed to be late or miss school anymore. I was able to check daily via a computer how his grades were and his attendance, and so was he.

From that day on, he has not missed a day of school and is on time. His Great Grandmother needed some help also with her insurance and finding the programs that would help the children and her. I had the time to help her. The little sister needed to be in an outside activity, and with Ava's (CASA supervisor) help, she is now playing baseball; she loves it and they are winning every game! The little sister will also be going to a two-week YMCA summer camp and is so eager to go.

All this family needed was someone that had some time to help with a few issues. With CASA, the possibilities are endless. I had the support of their social workers, lawyer, and Ava. I also had the training that prepared me and the on-going seminars and meetings that support me.

It has been my privilege to be in this family's life and to be a CASA volunteer.

Alarm clock source, baseball picture source

2009 National CASA Conference

Contributed by: Donna Huntsman, Friends of CASA Executive Director

The room was a buzz. You could feel the excitement, the anticipation. Something big was about to take place…

Imagine being in a room with 1,400 devoted CASA supporters. Some are board members, some are volunteers, some are staff…but everyone is a child advocate. Those in attendance are from all over…Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey, Alaska, and Arkansas. Forty-eight states are represented. You look around the room and you can see a unique blend of people sharing their diverse backgrounds, accents and experiences.

Suddenly, everyone jumps to their feet and begin to applaud and holler as Dr. Phil and his wife Robin walk into the banquet hall.

This was my experience at the 2009 National CASA Conference – Taking advocacy to a higher level. The conference was held over four days, April 25-28th, in Denver, Colorado.

Dr. Phil McGraw, the host of the very successful syndicated daytime talk show DR. PHIL, and his wife Robin McGraw, were invited to give the key note address. They spoke to the need of getting every child in foster care a CASA volunteer. They thanked everyone for their commitment and challenged us to recruit 100,000 additional volunteers.

But, most importantly, they spoke of their commitment and desire to help CASA attain the goal of giving every child an advocate, a voice.

…everyone in the banquet hall was standing and applauding as Robin and Dr. Phil stepped off the stage. It was an invigorating experience to surround oneself with passionate people sharing the same belief and cause as you.

Dr. Phil Talks About the National CASA Program in his Show

Dr. Phil and Robin Thank CASA Volunteers

Spring 2009 Swearing In Ceremony

Contributed by: Ava Adler

Please welcome our new CASA volunteers:
Susan S., Kathleen O., Linda L., Jean P., Bruce J., Dean D., Renee S., Dorcas P., and Joyce T.

On April 7^th, Molly Schikora, Juvenile Court Referee, swore in 9 new CASA volunteers to serve as advocates for children in foster care in Washtenaw County. This is the biggest training class we’ve had in a couple years, and it includes two men, two foster parents and two adoptive parents. It also represents a wide range of interests and occupations including several engineers, an attorney, a phonics teacher, a volunteer church counselor, and an entrepreneur.

Bruce J., Kathleen O., Dean D., Dorcas P., Jean P., Susan S., Linda L., Joyce T. and Renee S. have joined our ranks and are in the process of being oriented to cases. We welcome them to our CASA family, which is growing!!

Please check out the Spring 2009 Swearing In Ceremony photo album below: