Kim St. Clair’s Journey

Welcome to “Here’s Our Journey, Start Yours Today!”  This campaign uniquely focuses on the dedicated Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers and staff across the Commonwealth appointed to advocate for children in the child welfare system before the court. Through compelling stories, candid portraits, and intimate interviews, we invite you to step into the world of CASA, where everyday community members advocate for the best interests and well-being of children. Join us as we highlight the incredible individuals who ensure that every child’s voice is heard and every future is filled with hope. Discover the power of compassion, advocacy, and community, and be inspired to embark on your own journey of making a difference today. This campaign takes inspiration from the iconic “Humans of New York” series. 

Prior to becoming a CASA a little over two years ago, I had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. During those years, I volunteered with some incredible organizations and people, volunteering in the community and within the schools my children attended. I served many roles throughout those years and enjoyed the opportunity to work with both adults and children. I have served as a volunteer, a chairperson, and an officer of many community organizations, school PTAs, and Booster organizations. 

My passion for helping children within the system came during my children’s high school years. In particular, two at-risk youths came into our lives. With the support of my family and a few compassionate members of our local community, these youth had safe places to live while they finished high school and started their young adult lives. One day I Googled, ‘what happens to children who fall through the system’ and the CASA website appeared. I reached out immediately and was eager to be interviewed, trained, and appointed as a Dauphin County CASA.

I remember when I first met my appointed family, the youth told me that they had not seen or talked to each other for more than a year. They were placed in different group homes and settings. I remember planning their first Zoom meeting and I heard the giggles and laughter and saw the smiles on their faces throughout their virtual visit. I thought “if this is all I do for these children

, I have succeeded and done something to make their world a better place.”

Fast forward two years later, I have seen a high school graduation, a foster placement which turned into a kinship placement with a family member, and a confident high school junior who previously was a bit quiet about her group home residence. I convinced an 18-year-old to stay under the Child and Youth umbrella to help subsidize his living expenses while he works and resides with his older sibling. We learned that his was the first contract of its kind in Dauphin County, and through caseworkers and my advocacy, we are able to keep an eye on and help this young man in many ways. This has included apartment shopping, making medical appointments, helping with taxes, and so much more.

Having said all this, I saw what a difference a CASA organization can make and the profound impact that a single, consistent person can have. I know what special work is done at CASA and, when the opportunity came up, I immediately applied for the Dauphin County CASA Program Supervisor role. With my marketing degree from Penn State University, and my prior work as a Communications Specialist for KHP Services (a subsidiary of Pennsylvania Blue Shield), along with my experience as a CASA volunteer,  I wanted and knew I could do more to further the CASA mission.

Having started in my new role in early August, I am humbled and honored to serve among the special people who do this incredible work. I am looking forward to working on cases, fundraisers to enhance CASA’s organization, organizing fun potlucks to celebrate our current volunteers, and setting up training sessions for new advocates. I hope you will consider joining us and Start Your Journey as a CASA volunteer.