Hello!

My name is Carly and I’ve been a CASA Volunteer since June 2025. So far, I’ve worked on one case. Even with just that one case, the experience has already been incredibly meaningful to me.

My decision to become a CASA Volunteer is deeply personal. My family adopted our daughter through foster care, and she had a CASA during that process. I saw firsthand how helpful and important that role was—not just for her, but for our entire family. CASA was a steady, supportive presence in a system that can feel overwhelming and overtaxed. After going through that experience, I knew I wanted to give that service back to another family in need and support a system that truly relies on dedicated people showing up.

One of my biggest takeaways so far is how powerful stability can be. Simply being a consistent presence can make a huge difference for kids who have experienced instability or challenging environments. Sometimes it’s not about fixing everything, it’s about being there.

Thankfully, I haven’t experienced any severely difficult moments yet, but there have been a few that challenged me. In those times, patience and empathy have been essential. Not every problem can be solved right away, and I’ve learned that allowing space and time for everyone involved to process their emotions can often lead to better understanding and outcomes.

There have also been some incredibly heartwarming moments. One that really stands out is when one of my kiddos told me that returning to in-person school, after a year of online learning, was the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Another moment was seeing a different kiddo who was once completely uninterested in participating in family visits suddenly turn a corner. In just a few weeks, he changed his mind, and those visits started to go well. Seeing that kind of growth and openness is truly special.

For anyone thinking about becoming a CASA Volunteer, I would say this: be prepared to open your heart wide. Not just for the kids you’ll work with, but for their families, guardians, and everyone else in their lives. This role asks for compassion, patience, and understanding; but it gives so much back in return.