Every young person deserves a strong support system. And every child is worthy of having adults in their life who can aid in their overall growth and healthy development. Our Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Volunteers are those stable, caring adults who SHOW UP long-term for our youth.
For siblings Michael and Allison, receiving individualized support from their CASA team has been essential in their journey.
CASA Ayush has been with his youth, Michael, since 2023. In that time, Ayush has worked with Michael on emotional regulation, navigated individual learning plans with educators and found enriching ways to continue his learning outside of school to set him up for success in school.
“He’s got a lot of these innate skills,” says Ayush, “and we want to make sure that they’re channeled, and he finds engaging ways to develop them.”
Michael’s younger sister, Allison, is preparing to enter Kindergarten this year with the help of her CASA and Child Advocates of Silicon Valley Development Associate, Diana. At the start of every visit, they explore fun, educational activities that teach crucial communication.
“She was pretty quiet at first, so we started working on those one-syllable words to expand her language and vocabulary,” recalls Diana. “Now that she’s five, she has full-blown conversations with me about her day, what she likes, what she doesn’t like, what she’s comfortable with, what she’s not.”
For each CASA, taking the time to develop important skills, while also having fun, plays a huge role in creating a strong connection with their youth. Child Advocates provides ample opportunity for both by facilitating enriching events and activities for their CASAs and foster youth. Some of Michael and Allison’s favorite events include the annual holiday parties and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo days, which allow them to connect with other foster youth, CASAs and staff who know and care about them.
“There are ways, big and small, in which Child Advocates has played a role and been super impactful,” says Ayush. “Recently, they introduced the Fun and Fundamentals Fund that will directly sponsor recreational or educational activities for the kiddos. And this summer, they started swimming lessons, and they’re getting in the water for the first time.”
With the possibility of both of these cases being long-term, CASA’s Diana and Ayush are grateful to be able to support each other on the journey. “It’s always helpful to have someone with that first-hand knowledge that also has the same goal and mission in mind, so being able to share with one another has been really helpful,” says Diana.
Diana and Ayush understand the importance of providing foster youth with a safe space to grow up, with adults they can depend on. “As a CASA, my relationship with my youth is built on trust and consistency. I want her to know, no matter what changes in her life, how she feels about something or what opportunities she pursues,” says Diana. “I will be there to support her, and be a voice for her when she is afraid to speak up.”
We are thankful for all of our CASAs who SHOW UP for foster youth with joy and dedication. “It’s just such a rewarding and thrilling thing to be there, to be a part of their lives,” says Ayush.
You can SHOW UP for foster youth in Silicon Valley, too.
Your support helps us recruit, train and support over 450 CASA Volunteers like Diana and Ayush, who support more than 500 local youth every year.
To SHOW UP the way we do, we need you.
*Aliases were used to protect the privacy of both children.