Charleen did not grow up with material wealth, but she was surrounded by something far more valuable—a strong and loving community. When she became a teen mom at 17, that support helped her raise her child, complete nursing school, and buy her first home.
Grateful for the encouragement she received from caring adults who believed in her potential, Charleen looked into Child Advocates to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and give back that support.
Becoming Ashley’s CASA was a serendipitous connection, showing up in her life at a time when she needed her the most, someone who could listen, understand, and remind her she was not alone. Charleen continues to SHOW UP for Ashley in all aspects of her life.
“She’s changed my life forever, she was there when I had nothing,” Ashley remarks.
Ashley entered the foster care system at 16 years old, facing the uncertainty of a new environment and the challenges of a teen pregnancy. Charleen’s support was integral to Ashley’s journey—always listening with an open heart and without judgment, helping her become better equipped to face the challenges that came her way.
“She always gave me advice, not just as a CASA, but also as a mother figure and a friend,” said Ashley. “After I had my first son, she supported me, and gave me guidance when I didn’t know how to be a mom. She answered my questions with patience and care, and she made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”
Charleen also supported Ashley in her education and career journey— helping find the best nursing school for her, sharing her own journey as a registered nurse, and assisting in planning for her future.
Even though Ashley has aged out of foster care, their relationship continues to grow, Charleen has celebrated her graduation, birthdays and family milestones, grateful to remain the trusted adult Ashley can always count on.
“As a CASA, I’m not coming into a broken kid that needs to be fixed. I’m coming into an amazing kid who just doesn’t know they’re amazing. And so I think as a CASA, you’re just that mirror to show them that they’re amazing,” said Charleen. “They just need somebody to talk to, remind them of all the amazing things they’ve done, and that they’re strong and that there are amazing things out in the world for them, so they just have to start choosing it.”
This season, you can be that mirror. Your donation helps connect youth in foster care with caring adults like Charleen, people who SHOW UP, listen, and help young people see what is possible.
Because when someone believes in you, it changes everything.
To SHOW UP for youth like Ashley, we need you!
With your support, our youth thrive through the toughest of circumstances—with a dedicated adult who believes and invests in their success, and the support of our community at their back.
We are grateful every day that we get to SHOW UP for our CASAs, just as they SHOW UP for our youth.
To SHOW UP the way we do, we need you.