Most children look forward to summer vacation with their families and endless outdoor activities. However, for children in foster care, summer break often signals a period of uncertainty, isolation, and struggle. While most look forward to the freedom that summer promises, many dread the absence of the structure and support that the school year provides. However, with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) by their side, a child can have the resources and support they need to continuously have a routine, friendships, and engagement during summer vacation. This can include visits to the local amusement parks with their siblings, participating in a summer camp tailored to the child’s interests, staying active in team sports, or even partaking in summer academic programs to keep on top of their academic performance. The advocacy and presence of a CASA in a child’s life can become a vital source of stability and normalcy. This is what CASA Bonnie provides for her case youth, three young siblings who are all incredibly energetic and spirited.
Having just completed her training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and graduated from Voices for Children Advocate University, Bonnie took on her new role as a CASA for 10-year-old Oscar*, 8-year-old Kacey*, and 4-year-old Ryan* in the early spring of this year. Bonnie was extremely excited to dive into her case and make an impact. As a retired teacher, Bonnie knew education was where she could make the most significant impact in her advocacy. Within a month of being assigned to her case, CASA Bonnie had already connected with the two school-aged children’s teachers and school support staff and set an in-person meeting with their whole educational team. CASA Bonnie met with everyone to gain a better understanding of how the children were doing and how she could best support their education and overall well-being. The school team said that both children would benefit from tutoring services, especially since they were rapidly approaching summer break and all support through the school would stop. CASA Bonnie also observed that the children would greatly benefit from being enrolled in extracurricular activities. Knowing this, CASA Bonnie approached her advocacy supervisor at Voices for Children to determine what they could do to connect them with tutoring services and extracurricular activities.
Bonnie was referred to a local nonprofit that offers funding for tutoring services and extracurricular activities. To ensure all costs were covered, CASA Bonnie researched different at-home tutoring programs and nearby programs that could provide sports or other activities that fit the children’s interests. While getting to know the children, Bonnie discovered that Kacey was into gymnastics and would be tumbling all over the place doing cartwheels. So, she found a gymnastics program at the local gym and used this as a starting point. Since the three children were all living with the same relative caregiver, Bonnie wanted to find programs for Oscar and Ryan on the same day/time as the gymnastics lessons. After looking through all the available schedules and talking to the children, Bonnie was able to find a soccer sports program for Oscar and swim lessons for Ryan, all at the same time as their sister’s gymnastics class. Once Bonnie had identified the classes and costs, she coordinated to get the funding so that they would feel supported and active during the summer. After some back and forth, Bonnie got the tutoring and extracurricular activities entirely funded and had everything ready and set up for the children before the end of May.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of CASA Bonnie, these children didn’t just spend their summer engaged in active learning and socializing; they thrived. CASA Bonnie’s actions have not only provided Oscar, Kacey, and Ryan with opportunities they might not have had otherwise but also instilled a sense of normalcy and inspired a passion for sports. CASAs like Bonnie are shining examples of the transformative advocacy and support that can be provided to siblings in foster care, inspiring hope and optimism for their future.
Name: Bonnie L.
County: San Diego
Occupation: Instructional Special Education Assistant
Became a CASA in: 2024
Favorite part of being a CASA: “My favorite thing about being a CASA is visiting with the children. I am helping to support three siblings, and they are wonderful children. I love knowing that we have a unique relationship and that they can count on me for being committed to supporting them.”
You, too, can make a significant difference in the lives of youth in foster care. Your support and advocacy can be a beacon of hope for siblings like Oscar, Kacey, and Ryan. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer and start making a positive impact today. *Names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality
Voices for Children to Host Starry Starry Night at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park