Youth Stories
Dear Lisa,
I want to thank you for all the support and things you have done for me. I am writing this letter to appreciate you being my #1 CASA volunteer and holding my hand through all the hard times including school. You were always there when I needed help.
When I’m out with you Lisa, we have the best times, even when we eat lunch together, going to shows and helping me when I was sick. This means a lot to me because I really haven’t gone out as much as I have since I’ve been with you.
Even when I’m 40 years old, I’m still going to remember everything you’ve done for me and maybe when I’m rich I can reward you for all the nice things you’ve done for me. In closing Lisa, you have been my advocate, my friend, my nurse and my everything. With many thanks, Duran.
Dear Ann,
I would like to say you are like the mother I never had, but you say you’re too young to have a 20 year-old daughter and a 4 year-old granddaughter. I would like to also say that you are my guardian angel. The acronym of CASA to me stands for C for Caring, A for Affectionate, S for Sensitive and A for Ardent.
I can talk to you about relationships, school, friendships and mothering. Our relationship has grown so much. I love spending time with you and laughing, especially when you turn red in the face after trying to speak our slang.
I cried when I was told that we may not be able to keep in contact after I emancipated. To know that you have to care for another youth, makes me a little jealous. I don’t want anyone to have the connection we do, but then again, I also know that you’re helping other youth, just like you have helped me.
Only you, your husband and myself know what you have done for my daughter and I and you have went above and beyond your job. As a mother, best friend and CASA you’ve done your part. You have done things that I should have know as a young woman, yet I still find myself calling you for idiotic things, like what is the number to 411.
However, the real question is why? After you first met me, why didn’t you leave? After I said I didn’t want to have anything to do with you or for that matter any judge, social worker or CASA, why were you so persistent? Why did you care? Why do you still care? Anyway, to make a long thank you short. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
