Donate Today to
Change a Child’s Story.

When you join Champions for Change, your gift will have a direct impact on the most vulnerable children in our community.

Your gift of $30 per month will pay for one new CASA volunteer to go through our 9-week pre-service training course. Because of you, that volunteer will be fully equipped to be the eyes and ears of the judge and the voice for many children during their time as a volunteer.

Your gift of $50 per month will recruit three new CASA volunteers. Because of you, our mission will be in newspaper ads, social media feeds, billboards, and radio ads and three more local citizens will step up to advocate for a child.

Your gift of $100 per month will provide one full year of advocacy for a child like Caleb. Because of you, a child will not have to walk through the most difficult time of his life alone. He will have someone on his side, fighting for what is in his best interest.

When I started the 8-week CASA training class, I was eager to learn how to advocate for the best interests of the children I would one day serve. The class was a lot of work, but I was committed and knew that I could make a difference in the life of a child who was hurting. When my training was complete, I met with my Advocate Manager who told me about a little boy who needed me to be his CASA. Let me tell you a little more about this incredible boy named Kayden. He is just five years old but carries this infectious energy and curiosity about him. He loves soccer, toy cars, and spending time reading books with his sister.

Now, Kayden’s story is not an easy one. His mom was only 19 when she had him and life was tough for both of them. His great-grandma stepped in to help, but when she passed away unexpectedly, things took a turn for the worse. Kayden’s mom who had previously struggled with drugs and alcohol, relapsed, and before long, he was removed from her care and placed into foster care.

That is where I came in. Fresh out of CASA training, I was assigned to Kayden’s case. The first time we met, he was nervous and shy. I was yet another stranger in his new normal. On that first visit to his foster home, we spent time together playing with his favorite cars and kicking around a soccer ball. Slowly but surely, Kayden’s smile would make an appearance and that smile would brighten my day.

As I learned more about Kayden’s situation, I discovered just how important his sister Jenna, who had been removed previously, was to him. They had limited contact but yet an incredible bond. It was clear to me that they belonged together. After speaking to Kayden’s social worker and Jenna’s adoptive parents, they agreed to foster Kayden. When the time came for me to advocate for Kayden’s placement, I made sure to emphasize how important it was to put him with his sister. Thankfully, the judge agreed, and Kayden found himself in a loving foster home with Jenna. He was so much happier being with his big sister every day.

Despite his mom’s time in an in-patient substance abuse facility, she tested positive for drugs the day after she came home. She then made the difficult and selfless decision to sign over her parental rights so that Kayden and Jenna could be safe and together.

I was able to be there on Kayden’s adoption day - a day I won’t forget. Seeing Kayden surrounded by love and support, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. All the time that I spent working on this case and advocating for Kayden to have a safe, permanent, and loving home was worth it.

The latest update on Kayden is that he is on the 5U soccer team at the YMCA. I was honored to be there to watch him play and score his first goal and to see that winning smile. The smile that had faded away for a while, but was back and as big and bright as it could be. He even remembered to kick with the side of his foot - something we practiced together during my visits. His parents text me pictures and updates occasionally which brightens my day!

Looking back on my time with Kayden, I feel so much gratitude for being a part of changing his story. Watching his development from being in an unsafe situation to being a part of a family was fantastic. As I am preparing for my next case, I can’t help but feel hopeful for the future, knowing there are people out there like me, who are willing to stand up and fight for children who do not have a voice without us. I was told that my story was going in the CASA donor newsletter so I want to end this with a “Thank You”. Your donation helped pay for the radio ad that I heard that led me to CASA. It helped pay for the trainer and training manual that equipped me for this role. And it helped to support me with words of wisdom from my Advocate Manager who was there every step of the way. Thank you for making a difference for children like Kayden!

-Steve, CASA Volunteer, Lynchburg