10 Ways in Which I Am for the Child

by | Sep 14, 2021 | CASA Blog

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In 2011, National CASA launched the I am for the child campaign.  The campaign was designed as a catalyst to strengthen the CASA mission that every abused and neglected child have a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate by their side.  Therein lies my motivation as an advocate when the task seems daunting.

10 Ways in which I am for the child:

  1. I am the “one constant” in the child’s life, assisting with all transitions until the child achieves permanency.
  2. I fight diligently for the child’s right to be treated with dignity and respect.
  3. I enable the child to see themselves as a valuable human being.
  4. I make myself available to bear witness of a child’s story which he or she may have never had the opportunity to tell before.
  5. I am an invisible shield protecting a vulnerable child from further abuse and neglect.
  6. I gather information from all areas of the child’s life —biological parents, foster parents, teachers, medical professionals, attorneys, social workers, therapists, and others.  Then I am a viable voice for the child’s best interests.
  7. I monitor the child’s needs, wants, and wishes.  I do everything in my power to make sure each need, want, and wish is fulfilled.
  8. I am there to catch an aching child’s tears or sit with him in his confused silence.
  9. I continually, without compromise, seek a safe and permanent home for the child.
  10. I am the child’s light in his darkness, hope in his hopelessness, and a voice when they are speechless.

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Court Appointed Special Advocates are community volunteers who speak up for the best interests of children in foster care. Volunteer CASAs work for the best interests of kids by advocating for their safety and permanency.

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