Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Kate..

With a great interest in the effects of incarceration on families and children as well as the high occurrence of former foster youth in the criminal justice system, Kate became aware of CASA after learning about it from a co-worker who once worked for the Silicon Valley CASA. Kate has considered one day becoming a foster parent and saw it as a great opportunity to advocate, gain experience, and learn more about what happens to foster youth once they emancipate.

Leah, SF CASA’s Training and Recruitment Manager, knew Kate’s potential almost immediately: “Kate is such a great volunteer! She was a real pleasure to have in training: responsible, thoughtful, and committed.” These qualities translated well once she began her work as a CASA as Judy, Kate’s Case Supervisor, agrees that Kate is doing amazingly with her two CASA kids.

Kate became the CASA to two teenage sisters just over a year ago. Each of the girls had been resistant to having a CASA at different times; however, it seems that this has changed considerably. The sisters have experienced a great deal of trauma: there was a shooting in their neighborhood, the father died, and their mother fell into a coma all in a short period of time. Kate noticed the girls not only beginning to open up to her but also willing to listen to her perspective. In this, she could see the trust the girls placed in her. This is especially important as the girls are getting older and Kate is able to help them begin articulating future goals in graduating high school and what they may be interested in pursuing beyond graduation.

One of the greatest challenged that Kate has faced is setting up strong boundaries with the girls. They sometimes call or text Kate asking for her to take them out again the following day or to pick them up outside of their regular outing. “…It’s a fine line between setting expectations but not wanting them to feel like you don’t care,” says Kate. Leah confirmed that Kate “is really good about maintaining boundaries and advocating in their best interest.”

Because the girls are older, and perhaps a little more particular in leisure activities, Kate finds that the most popular activity is going out to eat, which allows time for talking about school and anything else that may be going on. The three also occasionally enjoy going to the movies and getting pedicures.