Consistent Efforts

From CASA of Lancaster County, we hear of one volunteer’s commitment to be a constant in a child’s life.

“When I stop to think about words to describe my relationship with my little guy, I can list quite a few but the one that lingers the longest is intertwined.  He and I are connected.

Yes, I am his CASA, and I support him. I go to court, write reports and attend a myriad of meetings that are centered around his welfare.  I could go on and on.

I know he loves peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, Sprite, and chicken nuggets. I know he is afraid of the dark and misses his mom.

This child has lived for long periods in hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and resource homes. Each placement has ended poorly. He has been in emergency rooms and doctor’s offices, and I have followed him from place to place, county to county, and now from state to state.

Sometimes it takes several phone calls to find out where he is. But, find him I do.

I remember learning in CASA training that sometimes the CASA is the only steady and consistent person in a child’s life. At the time, I wondered, What? There are so many caseworkers, therapists of every title,  judges and supervisors. How can that be true? But it is and that is what keeps me tied to this child.

After every move and change, at the end of the day, it’s just him, me and the caseworker. And sometimes, it’s just him and me. At a school meeting last year when asked how long he has known me, my kiddo responded “forever.”

Details of this story, including the child’s identifiable information, have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the child and family.

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