I’ll never forget the first time I met him.  A boy with bright eyes, a big heart, and a beautiful smile, but carefully guarded and clouded with fear, loneliness, anger, and an overwhelming desire to belong.  The inability to form healthy attachments to others and never knowing stability set the stage for this reality.  It was painful to see him experience rejection and continued volatility.  Many schools, many foster homes, much hurt.  Something inside of me said that this child is a person of great worth, potential, and abilities.  I chose to ignore that many considered this child a “lost cause”.   

One of the best things to come into this boy’s life was a dedicated DFCS case manager.  As a CASA volunteer, it was a pleasure to work alongside a professional who had a heart for children.  After countless miles, numerous hours pouring through records, long meetings, and impossible-looking setbacks and transitions, he now knows true stability for the first time in his life.  To see him openly smile, laugh, and converse is the greatest joy.  Someday he will truly be at home where he belongs and grow into the man he is destined to be.  That is the day we all look forward to. 

                                    Advo-Kids CASA Volunteer