“I decided to be an advocate because I want to make a difference and I think a really good way to do that is by helping children and working with them to make a bad situation better.”
CASA volunteer
* All names changed to protect confidentiality.
Richard*, 14 and David, 17
had stopped going to school in January of 2006. In the past, both children had excessive absences. They were in jeopardy of repeating their grade levels. David didn’t attend classes because he has dyslexia and has trouble keeping up with the rest of the students. Richard stopped going to school after he witnessed his best friend being stabbed by students from the same school. The mother also disclosed to her sons that she has a life threatening illness. CASA found an educational/vocation school for David that he has started. CASA also helped to get Richard a transfer to a different school. Right now, both boys are attending school. The mom is now interested in going back to school herself.
Jazmine, 17
was abused by her birth father. Her mother was deported to the Dominican Republic. Jazmine stopped going to school early in 2007. She was sleeping in and out of friends’ homes and eventually she wound up in a Las Vegas Juvenile Detention Facility for solicitation. CASA was there when Jazmine returned to New York and helped to get her a new passport since her green card had expired. Since then Jazmine has applied for a summer youth employment program and is working on becoming a US Citizen.
Niah, 19
was removed to her home as a result of parental neglect and sexual abuse by her brothers. She bounced around to more than 22 foster homes and was psychiatrically hospitalized several times. At 16 years old, Niah was reported missing and presumed to be in Puerto Rico. CASA was called in to find her. There was speculation that an older boyfriend was prostituting the girl. After months of trying to find Niah and bring her home, the Department of Social Services called CASA saying she had been found in a domestic violence shelter in Puerto Rico. Niah agreed to go back to the United States. The first person she asked to see upon her return was her CASA advocate.
Jo, 12, Elisa, 9, and Kim, 7
lived with their maternal grandmother in New York. The grandfather, who is re-married and lives in Virginia, felt he should be awarded custody of the children. Two of the children—Jo and Kim—wanted to move to Virginia. But Elisa decided to remain where she is and visit her sisters and grandfather during the holidays. CASA worked with the grandfather in transitioning the two sisters and updating information on Elisa’s visits. Elisa is now in a foster home and continues to visit her family.
