By Dana Chapman
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Yesterday I attended virtual court via Zoom for my CASA case.
What exactly is CASA you ask?
It’s something I found out about during the summer of 2018 that pulled at my heartstrings and made me want to get involved. It was a way I could contribute to a better life for a child in foster care, while at the same time, give my own life more purpose and meaning.
I found out about CASA while taking a yoga class at our local studio where the instructor would periodically fill us in on how it was going with teaching yoga to kids in foster care at a local group home once a month. He was so excited to share that after a year of teaching, some kids were finally sitting and waiting for class to begin, some were asking him about meditation, and others were becoming more interested in actually learning some poses.
When he first started teaching, the kids were…. let’s just say, not-so-nice to him.
They would swear and fart in class and do obnoxious things. They were downright mean.
Yet, he kept going back because he believed the practice and teachings of yoga had the ability to help at least ONE of those kids see that they could have more control over their bodies and minds, regardless of their circumstances.
In this particular class, as we were listening to our yoga teacher’s monthly report, a fellow yogi shared that she is a CASA and works with kids in foster care every day.
I was like... "Wait, what? What is that? How did you get involved? Where can I learn more?"
I learned that CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. In some states it's called a GAL, or Guardian Ad Litem. Either way, it's a volunteer position whose sole duty is to advocate for a child in court to a judge who is being pulled in a million directions by everyone involved in a foster care case. It's a role that helps the judge rule more effectively in achieving a permanent placement for that child.
It's nothing short of an amazing organization. CASA was started in the 70s in Seattle by a judge who felt he was not appropriately getting to know each child's case coming across his bench and into his courtroom. So, he brought his close friends out of retirement and gave them jobs to do. Fast-forward a couple decades, and in the 90s this organization finally came to New Jersey. Now, every county in New Jersey has a local CASA organization.
HOWEVER, sadly... not every child in New Jersey has a CASA volunteer.
Which is why I keep sharing and talking about it with my community, or anyone who will listen. It COULD be something your heart and soul has been yearning for.
I am telling you this story because I have had so many conversations with people through COVID-19 who have been searching for meaning and purpose. Trying to find themselves. Getting involved with something that pulls at your heartstrings is a beautiful, rewarding, life-giving way for you to use your passions, interests and skill set to benefit our most vulnerable youth and families.
My husband is a volunteer firefighter in our town (which is part of how I met him, but that's a story for another day) so he knows the feeling of having purpose and meaning in his own life by contributing in a way that brings some of his talents and skills to the table that benefits others.... the entire community in fact!
With each of these volunteer positions, we expect nothing in return. It is truly an act of service and that is what makes it REWARDING, and not draining. 💓
Do you volunteer somewhere?
Would you like to?????
Even if it's not something you do right now, perhaps this note from me on this blog could inspire you to start looking into it. 🤔 That's where it started for ME! And my life feels even richer and more meaningful now.
If you are curious about becoming a CASA and what all is involved, I would be delighted to give it to you straight. I've been on a case with one child for almost two and a half years. My duty is to help facilitate a permanent home for her, however long, however many years that might take, I am a constant, reliable person in this child's life, regardless of all the other instability.
One final note - it’s interesting how now I do yoga with my assigned CASA kid during our visits - and she LOVES it! She often requests that we do it together, whether we are outside, or we tune in to see each other via FaceTime. She's remembering more and more of the poses every time I see her and is very proud to show me what she can do! It warms my heart so much. I’m glad to give her the little gift of learning to use her body and release some energy, which she needs because she is separated from her biological mother and father and must feel angry, frustrated, and at times alone. Yoga is such a gift in my life. I'm so happy that now she knows it's a tool she can access anytime she wants, just like you or I. ❤️❤️❤️
Dana can be reached at danaleechapman@gmail.com.