CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, recruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. These volunteers are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children in foster care, working to ensure their safety and to help secure a permanent, stable home.
“Our vision is for every child who comes into foster care in Galveston County to have a CASA by their side,” Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Joanna Mendoza said. “We also work to raise awareness in the community about the realities of child abuse and neglect because the more people know, the more they’re likely to get involved.”
That involvement can truly change lives. Advocates serve as a steady presence through a child’s often chaotic journey in foster care, gathering information from caregivers, teachers, doctors and caseworkers to make informed recommendations to the court.
“A lot of the time, there are new adults coming in and out of the child’s life. They might be assigned multiple caseworkers and attorneys during their case, and they may move from placement to placement. This can make them have a harder time knowing who to trust,” CASA volunteer Joshua Farley said. “You become that steady and consistent friendly face who’s always there to look out for them.”
That sense of deep responsibility resonates with Susan Douglas, a CASA volunteer.
“What really made a difference to me recently was being in court and realizing that what I said, and what I wrote in my report, influenced the judge’s decision,” Douglas said. “Once you understand that you’re making a real impact in the children’s lives, it drives you.”
The role of a CASA advocate is one of immense responsibility, but also of personal growth and learning.
“As a CASA volunteer, I’ve learned so much about the foster care system and the real struggles children face,” Douglas said. “It’s not just about helping the children; it’s about growing with them, understanding their journey and evolving in the process of learning how to best support them.”
Become a CASA volunteer
CASA of Galveston County depends on everyday people to step into this extraordinary role. Volunteers come from all corners of our community and don’t need any special legal or social work background, just a heart for children and a willingness to speak up on their behalf.
The steps to becoming an advocate:
- (Optional) Attend an information session
- Fill out an application
- Complete the interview process
- If selected, attend all volunteer training classes, court observation and swearing in
"When I became an advocate, I was shocked by the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with children who need someone to trust," Farley said. "It’s incredibly rewarding to know that you’ve become someone they can rely on, especially when they’re facing struggles.”
Those interested in becoming a CASA of Galveston County volunteer are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the role. To apply to become a CASA of Galveston County volunteer, fill out the application here.
To learn more about CASA of Galveston County, visit www.casagalveston.org.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
