April 15, 2024
Dear editor;
I am a Kane County CASA/GAL (Court-Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem) for children in foster care. CASAs advocate for these children, gathering information and reporting to the court so it can make an informed decision in their best interest. The work can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding.
Most of us become CASAs because we want to be able to change a child’s story and help children end up in the best possible placement with all the support they need. For me there have been three additional benefits: I love being part of a community with others who share the same values, the ongoing educational opportunities expand my learning, and these children have changed my story, teaching me about patience and perseverance and caring for others.
We need more volunteers. Since the pandemic, the number of children in care in Kane County has nearly doubled. Currently many of our supervisors manage cases without the help of a volunteer, and they are spread thin. You can help. You can train to become a CASA yourself, you can commit with a partner to share the work, and you can even volunteer to help at events without making an ongoing commitment. Learn more at www.casakanecounty.org. You can change stories and seek happier endings, too.
Ellen Jo Ljung, Geneva