Meet Just a few of the children whose lives are better because of CASA.

Nancy

Nancy* entered foster care shortly after birth, but wasn’t assigned a CASA volunteer until she was 14 years old. She had lived in many foster homes over the years, and told her CASA William that more than anything, she wished for a family.

William carefully reviewed Nancy’s thick case file, and found an early reference to a maternal grandmother who expressed interest in adopting Nancy years and years ago. Unfortunately, the caseworker assigned to Nancy’s case wasn’t able to find her grandmother.

Not content to accept that outcome, William began searching for Nancy’s grandmother. His work paid off; William found out that Nancy’s grandmother was living in Delaware. After speaking with the grandmother, William learned that eight years earlier, when Nancy was six, the grandmother had petitioned the court to begin the adoption process. At the time, she was mistakenly informed that Nancy had already been adopted. The grandmother was heartbroken to learn that Nancy had in fact been in foster care all those years.

Two months later, Nancy moved in with her grandmother. Nancy found a permanent home and a family of her own.

Malcolm

When Malcolm* was born, he weighed only 4 lbs., and tested positive for cocaine. Premature, underweight, and going through withdrawal, Malcolm went right from the hospital to a foster home. 

CASA Beverly visited Malcolm regularly at his new home with the Stevens family. Throughout Malcolm’s first year, Beverly watched him grow and start to overcome the effects of neglect. During her visits, she observed a loving family who expressed interest in potentially adopting Malcolm. When a relative of Malcolm’s offered to become his foster parent, he was removed from the Stevens house and placed with the relative.

A few months later, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) received an anonymous phone call alleging neglect on the part of the relative foster parents. As a result, Malcolm was moved to a brand-new, temporary foster home. Beverly attend the next court hearing and advocated that Malcolm return to this original placement with the Stevens where he had thrived. In less than 3 years, Malcolm has lived in 3 homes and Beverly was the only consistent face.

Thanks in part to Beverly's observations and genuine concern for Malcolm's best interest, the family court judge agreed to return Malcolm. A year later and a half later, he was adopted by the Stevens family. During the adoption hearing, Beverly was right in the first row, smiling and waving.

JORGE

Jorge* (age 16) has a real talent for musical performance. After landing a co-starring role in the school’s production of “The Little Mermaid,” he immediately started to worry that there wouldn’t be anyone in the audience on opening night to cheer for him. So he asked Diane, his CASA, if she would be there. Of course, Diane said.

After the play, Diane met Scott outside and congratulated him on a job well done. Scott said that it meant a lot to have Diane in the audience, particularly because she had helped nurture his interest in musical theater. In the three years that Diane had been Scott’s CASA, she always encouraged him to practice and work hard, and had watched as his talent blossomed. It was also Diane who advocated for acting classes and voice lessons.

Jorge went from minor roles to co-starring, with Diane there to support him every step of the way. With Diane’s support, Jorge decided to apply to a musical theater major at a local university. He got accepted and will start next year.

* Names and other identifying details have been changed