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SFCASA Client Stories

During 2004-2005, SFCASA volunteers provided comprehensive individualized advocacy to 250 client children. These children's stories illustrate the vital role of CASAs in their lives:

• At 2½, Rory had been severely beaten by his parents and had lived in five different foster homes. His speech was delayed; he shunned physical contact and became aggressive when frustrated. These challenges made it likely that his one-year-old sister Niesha, also in foster care, would be adopted without him. Their CASA, Jim, helped to keep the children together by researching and finding a structured fost-adopt home where the parents were able successfully to parent both children. After only a few months of stability in the fost-adopt home, Rory's aggression diminished and his verbal skills improved: he and Niesha were adopted together. (24 children ages 0-5 served)

 

• When 8-year-old Todd's mother was incarcerated, Todd began to behave aggressively at school. He rarely saw his brother and sister, who had been placed in different foster homes. Concerned about Todd's increasing isolation from peers, his CASA, Janeane, researched summer activities and arranged for Todd to enroll in a summer camp program designed specifically for the children of incarcerated parents. She also helped to enroll Todd's siblings at the camp, so that the children could spend summers together. The camp's year-round activities include monthly events for campers that provide continuity to friendships throughout the year. Todd's ability to maintain peer relationships has improved, as have his self-esteem and achievement in school. (118 children ages 6-13 served)

 

• Lily, 17, became pregnant when raped by a family member and was removed from her home when the court ruled her parents had not adequately protected her. Her situation was complicated: she and her parents were immigrants and the assailant was their sponsor. When the SFPD asked Lily to testify against him, her family objected. They were economically dependent on their sponsor and also feared they would be deported if they pressed charges. Lily's CASA, Janice, advocated for and helped locate culturally sensitive, native-language-speaking community services for Lily's family, through which they were able to find new housing, jobs, and legal advice on their immigration status. Thus supported, the family went ahead with the charges. Janice accompanied Lily to all the court proceedings and held her hand throughout the trial, at which Lily's assailant was convicted. Janice continued to work with Lily, helping to ensure that she finished high school and enrolled in a local community college, where Lily is training to be a dental assistant. (108 youth ages 14-18 served)

There are 247 additional stories of children and youth whose lives have been changed over the last twelve months by the hard work and dedication of SFCASA volunteers: their achievements would not have been possible without the generous support of our community friends.

Over one hundred children are waitlisted for SFCASA volunteer assignment.

You can help an abused and neglected child to find a safe and permanent home and to receive vitally important educational support and healthcare services by making a secure, tax-deductible online gift to SFCASA via Network For Good. Three percent of your donation will be used by Network For Good to cover processing costs; SFCASA will receive the rest.

Please make a tax-deductible gift to SFCASA today--your generosity will change a child's life.