The Path To Becoming A CASA
Monday, April 27, 2026
I’ve told this a hundred times, and I still struggle to get it right.
We were a Jefferson Elementary family, and one of my good friends was the school nurse. As parents of elementary students, you often find yourself at their school for many reasons. Each time I stopped in, I would visit her office to say hi.
While sitting there, I watched multiple kids come in and out throughout the day. It wasn’t always because they were sick. Many of them were there because they wanted, or needed, attention.
Sometimes they needed food. She would hand out granola bars because they hadn’t had breakfast. Sometimes they needed a coat. Sometimes just a Band-Aid, a hug, or someone to show kindness.
My friend looked at me and said, “We have no idea what these kids go through.”
She told me about a family where the parents had a padlock on the refrigerator so the kids couldn’t access food. I felt overwhelmed.
That’s when I began volunteering with the Boomerang Backpack program. This program provides food for at-risk students on Fridays so they have something to eat over the weekend when they are not at school. But eventually I realized I needed to do more.
I had helped with Holiday Fest for many years under Mackenzie Cloutier, the former executive director for CASA of Kosciusko County. One day, she asked if I would consider becoming a CASA. Honestly, my first reaction was “not really.”
But the idea stayed with me. I realized I was only seeing a small part of what was happening in my local school, and this need existed everywhere. I saw how little some of these kids had, and how happy they were to receive something as simple as a small bag of food or to be noticed.
It wasn’t one single moment. It was a build-up of everything. Looking back, all those interactions led me to say yes.
What People Miss About These Kids
People often see these children as defiant, disruptive, or as “problem kids.” What they don’t see is what these kids are actually dealing with.
Getting good grades isn’t even on their radar. They are wondering if they will have food, if someone is going to be angry, or if they will have a safe place to sleep. They are trying to survive, and then they walk into school where they are expected to perform.
I was visiting one of my CASA girls, and she loved gymnastics. She showed me her cartwheels and jumps. In that moment, I realized she may never go to cheer camp or try out for cheerleading because her mom doesn’t have transportation to get her there. She may never have the opportunities many of us take for granted.
These kids are our neighbors.
So when we see a child acting out, it’s important to pause. Many times, they just want attention, even if it’s negative attention.
These kids care deeply. They just don’t always know how to show it.
Showing Up And Consistency
This is what can feel challenging about being a CASA. You can’t walk in and fix everything. You are not there to rescue. You are there to show up.
I worked with a middle school girl who thought she was far too cool to spend time with me. She was distant and guarded. Still, I kept showing up, playing cards, and simply being present.
Months later, she asked if I had emailed her teacher so I could visit her at school. From there, she began opening up more and more, even asking for help with math.
She wanted a connection all along. She just needed consistency.
These kids often don’t have stability in their lives. When you become that one consistent person, it matters more than you can imagine.
The Impact of a Single CASA
It can be hard to measure the impact. Sometimes it feels like you’re not doing much at all.
But CASAs do make a difference. Not only in the lives of children, but in the lives of their families as well. Sometimes offering a parent hope is just as meaningful.
Children in the system are often moved from place to place. Having one person who continues to show up can make a lasting impact. One person really can change a life.
Even asking a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” can be powerful. For some, it’s the first time anyone has asked them that question.
And the time commitment is manageable. Most CASAs volunteer five to ten hours per month.
To make that kind of difference, it’s worth it.
