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Hear from the Children of Colonial CASA
Some of our CASAs have helped their children put their experiences into words.
To read Harry's story, click here.
To read Janie's story, click here.
To read Hope's story, click here.
My name is Harry and I’m 10.
I’m an only child and live with my mom – I’ve never met my dad.
I love my mom more than anything on earth.
But she has problems.
I get very scared and confused about what’s wrong with her.
Sometimes she goes out and doesn’t come home all night.
Sometimes she comes home late sick and angry and I hide.
Sometimes I’m scared of the strangers she brings home.
Sometimes I can’t wake her up when it’s time for me to go to school.
I have to stay home and take care of her…
Because she has problems.
The Judge says she isn’t taking care of me right.
He sent a nice woman to visit me.
She talks to me and my mom, and even draws with me!
She seems to want to help us.
She is the only person who comes around a lot just to talk to ME-
She cares about what I liked to do and what I want.
I really like her.
She knows that my favorite color is red and my favorite food is tacos.
She even knows that one day I want to be a firefighter.
She figured out that I need medicine and glasses to do better in school.
One day, she told me that she was going to meet with the Judge.
She asked me if there was anything that I wanted him to know.
I said… “Just tell him that I really am a good kid.”
She has promised me that she will help me- and my mom.
And you know what? She really did help us!!!
My mom has a job and is going to some doctors to get better.
Now, I am living with a relative but I still get to see my mom a lot.
I’m taking medicine that I need and I love my new school.
My teachers say I am SMART!
I’m on the “Perfect Attendance List” and “Honor Roll!”
I have so many friends, and so much fun, and…
I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS REALLY MY LIFE!!!
This story has been submitted by Mary, “Harry’s” CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) who provided him with the
one-to-one advocacy he needed and deserved.
Mary adds, " This is what being a CASA all is about.”
My name is Janie and I’m 7.
People think kids don’t remember stuff that happens when they are really little.
I remember.
I remember Mom being angry and sleepy all the time.
I remember living in the room with all her friends- it smelled funny.
I remember her getting so mad and screaming and slapping me and our little baby.
I remember all the messy trash and bottles and grown-up’s medicines.
I remember out baby crying all the time.
I mostly remember all of the crying.
I guess she was really bad at being a mom, because the Judge took us away from her.
I was so sad- but after a while I was kind of happy.
My pretend mom was so nice, and I even got a pretend Grandma.
She said she was called a CASA and was going to work real hard to help me and my baby be happy and stay safe.
You know what? She did!
My mom kept making mistakes, but the CASA grandma did not give up helping.
She was funny, and nice, and I could tell she loved us- even Mom.
She told Mom how she believed her.
She told me that I was a good girl and a great big sister.
She told the judge how we all loved each other and were trying hard.
It took a pretty long time for Mom to be the right kind of mom,
but now for the best part-
We got to go home!
Finally, Mom did all the right things, and she even met our new dad!
(And he is real- not pretend)
We are all together, forever, and happy all of the time.
I’m not so little now, but I still remember.
This story was submitted by Joan, “Janie’s” CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) who provided
the advocacy and court-order monitoring she and “her” baby needed. Joan adds, “When I get pictures
of the now-happy family in the mail from Mom, it gives me hope for all of the others out there. It’s why I am a CASA.”
My name is Hope and I am 12 years old.
Some people tell me that I am “Special” but I’m not sure what that means.
I haven’t felt special much at all.
My mom got sick and died when I was little.
My dad was the only person left for me to live with.
He said that I was “slow” and “dirty”.
I did not go to school or to the doctor or have any friends.
How is that “special”?
The Judge said that I should go to Foster Care.
It was OK there, but I got in trouble a lot.
I didn’t know about rules or school or how to dress or act around other kids.
I didn’t even know how to take a shower.
It was hard – and not a bit “special”.
The Judge sent this nice lady to help me though.
She said she was my “CASA”, and that she was going to stick with me in thick & thin.
And she did!
Even when I was getting in trouble all the time, she talked to me and told me that I could do it.
She helped my teachers see that I needed special classes.
She helped my foster parents and even my dad understand me.
(I think she is the person who understands me the most in this world.)
And she helped me tell the Judge all about how hard it was, and what I needed.
You know what?
My life is “special” now.
I just finished 5th grade and will go to Middle School next year.
My Foster Mom wants to adopt me
and I will have a whole family – brothers, sisters and a cat!
My CASA says that since I have all of that, I don’t need her anymore.
And she will help the next little girl who needs her.
THAT’S SPECIAL!
in schools, in the courts, and with social services. Laura adds “I still get regular emails from Hope- it’s hard to
believe that she is the same child I met those years ago. Her success keeps me going as a CASA.”
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