Youth aging out of foster care often face significant challenges, making the support of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) crucial. CASAs provide individualized guidance, helping older youth focus on education, secure housing, and access essential resources for a stable future.
Eighteen-year-old Taylor is a powerful example of this impact. Since entering foster care in 2022 with her two siblings, Taylor has faced many obstacles. Now preparing to age out of care without a permanent home, she remains determined to pursue her education. Her CASA, Sandy, has been her biggest cheerleader, working tirelessly with Taylor to find and apply for scholarships, schools, and housing. When Taylor almost dropped out of her welding program due to lack of funds, Sandy jumped in, connecting Taylor to multiple community resources to help get the last of Taylor’s tuition covered. Taylor says her biggest motivation to go to school is making her grandma proud.
Without the support of volunteer Advocates, many youth in foster care face the beginning of their adult lives without any adult support, leaving them vulnerable to things such as homelessness, dropping out of school, or incarceration. In 2023, 28% of the children served by CASA of Yellowstone County were between 13 and 18 years old. Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained to address the unique needs of older youth and often make the difference between these young people finding stable housing and educational opportunities or facing uncertainty as they age out of foster care.
Taylor’s story is a testament to the transformative power of a CASA, showing that with the right guidance, resources, and a caring CASA volunteer like Sandy, youth aging out of foster care can achieve their dreams and build a bright future.
