Success Stories

Pamela Butler's Story
Pat was there for me the entire way, advocating for visits with my old
foster family, making sure I was seeing my therapist regularly, and checking
with my teachers to make sure I was managing in school. She told me things
can only get better, and that I just needed to hang in there 'til they do.
I never had someone stand up for me like she did. She stood before the
judge, the lawyers, my mother, and caseworkers and wasn't swayed by their
opinions. It completely amazed me. I trusted her more with every visit and
every call and found myself enjoying her check-ups and questioning. She
became not only an advocate, but a friend I could truly count on. Earlier
this year, I testified to a legislative committee on behalf of the CASA
program.
At the end of the testimony I said: "To give a child a CASA is to give them
a voice. To give them a voice is to give them hope, and to give them hope is
to give them the world." I believe that with all my heart.
-Pamela Butler


Karla Sanchez's Story
Before I met my CASA volunteer, Kim, I was failing all my classes and was
not expected to graduate on time. Kim immediately started to help me with my
education. She would come to see me once a week. She would make sure I was
doing my homework and studying. .In my second semester, I passed my English
class with an A. I wish you could have seen Kim's expression when I gave her
the good news.
My CASA said that I was working so hard that I deserved to have fun and
participate in the senior activities. She convinced me to go to prom. Kim
and I went to search for a dress. It was so special for me that she was by
my side because I wished my mom had been with me in those moments.
My CASA volunteer not only helped with my education, she would always call
me to see how I was doing. Because of her, I got to see my sisters more
often than I had before. I was so happy every time I got to see my sisters.
That showed me that Kim was really there for me and cared about my
happiness.
-Karla Sanchez