By Lisa Ingersoll
CASA Volunteer
Lisa and her CASA children at their adoption ceremony in December 2019.
Fulfillment is a tough thing to achieve, and it’s often found in a challenge. After raising three kids of my own, a career in advertising, and then being on the board of a film festival, I found myself continuing the search for my next challenge. I felt the need to do something uplifting, yet meaningful.
Upon finding CASA I had no idea just how difficult, and fulfilling, my role would be. It is absolutely heart-wrenching to see a child living without a voice, having their fate tossed around like a baseball. CASAs can be that voice; we can speak on behalf of these children and help them find their permanent home. At times it’s not easy, but as anyone who’s ever volunteered as a CASA can attest, the smile of a child in a tough situation makes every effort worthwhile.
Over the past three years, I’ve been exposed to an entire world that I barely knew existed—one that is right next door. Seeing the struggles and triumphs of children and families so close by has helped me to grow and expand my perspective. I have a deeper understanding of how interconnected we are, how powerful a helping hand can be.
We expect our government to protect us, to protect our children, but there are holes in that system that desperately need to be filled. When we see those gaps, it’s easy to feel hopeless, like nothing can be done.
I had a case with two siblings who had been shuffled around from relative foster homes to non-relative foster homes. For a time they were separated from each other before they were finally reunited, and there was no stability in sight. It was obvious how meaningful my presence in their lives was. I remained the only constant through three years of changing hands; even the case workers from the Division of Child Protection and Permanency were pulled in and out of the case like hockey players being called off the ice. But CASAs don’t get to give up, and we worked with the entire team to get them to adoption. Witnessing it in court, watching their eyes light up with joy knowing they’ll finally have a forever home—well, there’s nothing quite like that.
As CASAs we can actually make change happen, and that’s pretty fulfilling if you ask me.