WHAT'S HAPPENING

Testimonials

“It’s easy to look at the leaders of Silicon Valley and view them as heroes and role models. Just as important to our region's success are the people who take the time to get involved in helping children through the difficult times in their lives.” -- Carolyn Rogers, CEO, ReleaseNow.com Corporation

Our Advocates share their experience:

When I speak to others about the 10 years I've spent as an advocate, I'm often asked “You have a family, a career, lots of other interests – how in the world do you do it?” I always smile to myself, thinking “How could I not?” I would have missed watching a confused ten-year-old boy grow into an independent young man of twenty, with all the possibilities of the world in front of him. I would have missed watching a young woman work to overcome years of drug addiction, one day at a time, to regain custody of her children. I would have missed the laughter and hugs and tears of her children, as they wondered if their family would ever be whole again. -- Julie Stermer

Being a Child Advocate allows me to give from every part of my being: head, heart and spirit. My heart and spirit soar when I spend time with my two girls. I can honestly state that being a Child Advocate is one of the greatest endeavors I have ever undertaken. The training prepared me for the processes and procedures for what was to happen; my heart provided the rest. -- Janie H. Felix

It's a little frightening the first time you go into court, and you think, 'I have no clue as to what I'm going to do,' and within seconds you realize that you know more about that child than anybody in the room. That's kind of sad... But if you were not there [as an advocate], the things that would go wrong are just endless. -- Sarita Caroen

If you really want to make a difference in the community, you reach someone one-on-one, and that's what CASA's all about. -- Mike Brown

You can go to sleep at night knowing that a child is in a safer home because you got involved. If you're persistent and you follow through, you'll be doing more than anybody else has ever done for these children. -- Sue Forstadt

These kids have a dim view of adults based on their own lives. They haven't had any trustworthy relationships with adults. The Advocate can be that. -- Steve Ross

Advocacy for these boys consists largely in just being there. My regular presence helps reinforce their sense of stability. I also do my best as a role model, showing them how to handle disputes and cope with disappointment. I also console them when things go wrong, such as when one of their parents misses a visitation. My hope is that they understand people do care about them. -- Dave Atkins

When I visit April, we enjoy all the Bay Area has to offer: we sit on a bench, feet dangling as a rainbow-colored kite soars overhead; we explore the Tech Museum and she transforms into a lab technician, inserting jellyfish DNA into bacteria; we attend the Nutcracker ballet, and she enjoys it so much she wants to see it again next year! -- Karen Busch