Riverside County CASA of the Month – January 2024

The vital support of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in cultivating a child’s interests and goals for the future makes all the difference. CASA Kim is a shining example of this as a compassionate and dependable CASA for her assigned teen youth, “Shay.”

CASA Kim has been a consistent presence in Shay’s life for nearly two years, having developed a strong bond over cooking and sharing meals together. They have made sushi, crêpes, lo mein, and many other dishes. These shared experiences have created lasting memories for Shay. CASA Kim is also creating a cookbook for her as they go, with a picture of them holding the dish they made and step-by-step instructions so Shay can make it again. Knowing her youth loves to cook, CASA Kim has gone the extra mile to take Shay to a local community college with a culinary arts program and help her see her potential to incorporate cooking into her future goals.

CASA Kim is also a stellar educational advocate who never wavers and always has Shay’s best interest top of mind. She is open, understanding, and supportive of everyone she collaborates with, especially Shay’s teachers and caregiver. CASA Kim’s Advocacy Supervisor, Nicole, shares that Shay’s caregiver always takes the time to tell her how amazing CASA Kim is. Her journey as a CASA embodies the transformative power of one consistent adult in a child’s life. CASA Kim’s commitment to Shay’s growth and well-being, alongside her sense of humor and tenacity, illustrates what it means to advocate for a child in foster care.

Name: Kim W.
County: Riverside
Occupation: Retired School Counselor
Became a CASA in: 2021
Favorite thing about being a CASA: “The opportunity to really get to know my youth. I have seen her grow in so many areas of her life, and her trust in me has grown exponentially over the last year and a half.”

You, too, can make a difference in the lives of youth in foster care. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.

*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality