Child Advocates is spotlighting CASA Dawn Hopkins for her unwavering commitment and dedication to foster youth.
CASA Volunteer: Dawn Hopkins, she/her/hers
Years of Service with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: 6
Number of Children Served: 2
Empathy Meets Action
Growing up as an only child who then lost both of her parents, Dawn understands how isolating and difficult it can be to go through hard things alone. After seeing an ad about Child Advocates of Silicon Valley and then attending an informational session, she decided being a CASA would be a great way to support and stand by foster youth through the good and bad moments of their lives.
“It’s hard to do hard things alone. I was inspired to be a CASA and be there for children who are going through some really difficult things alone.”
Dawn has been with her current foster child for about three years and says that her relationship with the now-13-year-old is incredibly positive. Whether it’s letting her do Dawn’s hair and makeup, supporting her in Girl Scouts activities and kickboxing, holding space to discuss hard and confusing situations, or keeping her on track with schoolwork, Dawn takes pride in being a safe, confiding space for her youth.
Being that safe space also involves helping guide her youth through life transitions, including a legal guardianship change that her foster parents are seeking. Dawn has been a trusted ally through this process, encouraging her youth to be open to the idea of her foster parents becoming her legal guardians, and encouraging her to give them a fair shot while also facilitating healthy, meaningful contact with her birth family.
“The best way for me to explain it was, ‘nobody’s trying to replace your family. You get to keep your family. You’re a very lucky girl, because you’re getting more family. Nobody’s being replaced. You’re just so lucky that you have more people to love you and who volunteered to love you, no less.’”
Walking the Path—Together
While there have been bumps along the way, Dawn says that the support she’s received from Child Advocates has been unmatched—from the monthly calls with her advisor to connecting with her child and other CASAs at Child Advocates’ many community events and seeing how the organization mobilizes to get her youth what she needs, the team is always kind, helpful and responsive.
“I really love my advisor. She’s great. We do monthly calls, and she’s generally always available by text as well, which is very convenient if I have questions or just an update. If they don’t have an answer, they find the answer. It’s been an incredible experience. It’s the people here that make it incredible—solid, good people.”
Life Lessons
Dawn says that being a CASA with Child Advocates has taught her patience, diplomacy and how to navigate and roll with the punches, especially when dealing with less-than-ideal familial decisions and situations. She’s also learned to understand that seemingly illogical “big feelings” are okay—and developmentally appropriate for children—and her role is to help her child deal with those feelings, regulate, and make sense of the oftentimes difficult situations happening around her.
“It’s important for these children to know they have someone in their corner. I let my youth know that I’m here not because I have to be, but because I want to be. I adore her. Having them understand that helps lower their defenses and know that we’re not here to judge—we’re here for their wellbeing and happiness, that’s it.”
FUN FACTS:
TV Show Recommendation(s): Golden Girls
Favorite Movie: Amelie
Currently Reading: Here One Moment by Lorraine Moriarty
Favorite Music Artist: Enjoys classical, rock, hip-hop, and heavy metal music
Favorite Type of Food: Persian
Favorite Place: Iceland
Favorite Hobbies: Volunteering for the Special Olympics as a tennis coach
Support Foster Youth Today
Here are just a few of the ways you can SHOW UP for foster youth this month:
- Take the first step to advocating for foster youth. Attend an informational session to learn more about becoming a CASA Volunteer.
- Support our CASA Program and invest in our foster youth with a financial contribution. You can also check with your company to see if they match employee donations.
- Register for the Black, White & Pink Ball taking place this May 31st at the Corinthian Grand Ballroom in San Jose, CA.
- Become a Corporate Champion by sponsoring an activity or one of our fundraising events. Email us at development@childadvocatessv.org to learn how your company can be a part of the solution for foster kids.
- Follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.