A CASA’s journey involves lots of observation and listening – to case workers, teachers, and placement families – and most importantly, the child. VOICES plans activities and experiences for the CASA to share with the child for a little fun but also because they build trust and time to talk. CASA volunteers are good at mixing a teen’s choice of frappuccino with tough conversation. Or letting the giggles out on the playground swings enough to also share what they are a little sad about.
Time to talk can happen at any moment – in the drive through or after a long afternoon at the zoo. Being present, being available and the gift of time is what these youth need.
As Dr. Bruce Perry once noted at a VOICES event, “if you take people with big hearts and good intentions and support them with a little bit of information they can be a tremendous source of healing and positive regulation for these children and the families they are working with. This is why I have always loved the CASA model. The power of proximity cannot be underestimated. You may be the only person in their lives who is present and isn’t getting paid.“
