As we reach the end of 2013, we look back at the stories of the children CASA has worked with and want to celebrate one of those with our community. This year, more than 230 children had a CASA volunteer advocate, children like Keisha and Dakota (names changed to protect privacy).

When CASA first met Keisha and her brother Dakota, they came into court as a scared three-year-old and hardened, angry eight-year-old. They had been brought into custody on and off their entire lives, being raised by a single mother who had been arrested for prostitution multiple times.

This time, in May, they were permanently removed when their mom passed out from a fatal dose of drugs and alcohol. Keisha was inconsolable; her brother would speak to no one and stopped anyone from approaching his sister.

They were assigned a CASA volunteer, Katy, who sat at the end of the bench in the court room. As the people all around them were talking, Katy took care to explain what was happening to Keisha and Dakota. Katy explained to them who she was, that she cared about them deeply and wanted to make sure they found a safe home. [Read more…]