Lena was only ten the day she entered foster care for a second time.

Her mother, who was struggling with substance abuse and domestic violence, could no longer keep Lena safe, and Lena had to be removed from the home for her own well-being. 

With no trusted adult to turn to, Lena was left to face her fear and confusion alone. She carried the weight of her trauma in silence, unable to understand why everything had changed or who she could talk to about it. The memories of what happened stayed with her, and without anyone to help, she felt scared, lost, and completely alone. Soon, she started falling behind in school, missing days she couldn’t make up, losing hope, and watching her once-bright future fade away.

When children are taken from their homes because they have experienced abuse or neglect, they enter an overburdened child welfare system that often cannot sustain their needs. Most children risk being forgotten about or slipping through the cracks, their trauma going unnoticed at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

Every year, over 20,000 children across the United States age out of the foster care system. Of these children, 20% become homeless while another 80% risk being trafficked at some point in their lives. Through no fault of their own, these children face worse outcomes than their peers across every aspect of their life. Most of these children experience:

  • High rates of mental health and physical health issues
  • Poor educational achievement
  • Increased risk of homelessness, substance abuse, and unemployment as adults
  • Increased rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD
  • Chronic health problems
  • Lower high school graduation rates
Judge Love officially swears in a new group of CASA volunteers, marking the start of their advocacy for children in foster care.

As a result of the challenges and trauma she lived through, this future of instability and struggle seemed inevitable for Lena.

Until her Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Nicole, stepped in.

As a dedicated community volunteer, Nicole saw a child in need and answered the call. She joined Lena’s case and became the trusted adult on her case to be a voice, identifying resources, coordinating every detail, and connecting the right people to ensure Lena received the support she desperately needed.

Recognizing Lena’s emotional pain, Nicole advocated for her to receive therapy and academic support services enabling her to start the healing process. Nicole helped encourage Lena to join a school sport’s team, engaging in activities that help children thrive. Though school remains a challenge, Lena now attends regularly, taking steady steps toward stability and hope.

CASA staff members Jamie Brokopp, Kendra Jones, Hannah Storm, and Lillian Garcia share our 2024 Annual Report, celebrating a year of meaningful advocacy, growth, and impact for children in foster care.

In just a year, Nicole’s dedicated advocacy has changed Lena’s story, giving her a second chance at a brighter future. Without Nicole, Lena would never have had someone there to hear her voice and fight for her needs.

You, too, can answer the call of a child in need.

For over 30 years, CASA of Lane County has recruited, trained, and supervised community volunteers who serve as beacons of hope, guiding children through the complex court and child protective systems. They make informed recommendations to the judge for the child’s well-being and ensure the child receives all resources necessary to thrive.

With a CASA by their side, children in foster care are:

  • Half as likely to re-enter foster care because of future abuse
  • More likely to be adopted or returned home rather than languish in foster care
  • More likely to perform better academically and behaviorally
  • Reported to have significantly higher levels of hope, improving their academic success, self-control, positive social relationships, and optimism
  • Given enhanced legal representation
Friends of CASA volunteers help children play our Starfish Toss game at a recruitment event, inspired by the Starfish Story and a reminder that even small actions can make a big difference for a child in need.

Change a Child’s Story this holiday season by making a donation to CASA of Lane County.

Your generous donation will ensure more children receive the critical advocacy of a CASA volunteer. Gifts made to our program directly support the recruitment, training, and supervision of CASA volunteers who give a voice to children in need. We depend on CASA volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect across Lane County.

How your donation impacts a child in foster care:

  • $2,500 supports one full year of CASA advocacy for a child in foster care
  • $1,000 supports the 40 hour training of one CASA volunteer
  • $500 supports one year of a CASA’s court appearances on behalf of a child
  • $250 supports matching a new CASA Volunteer with a child from our waiting list
  • $100 pays for two weeks of a recruitment ad on social media to help us recruit more CASA volunteers
  • $50 supports one continuing education opportunity for one CASA volunteer
  • $25 supports training materials for a prospective CASA volunteer
Friends of CASA volunteers help a child pick a sticker at Veneta Haunts, a community event where CASA of Lane County connects with families and shares volunteer opportunities.

Donate today to make a difference in the life of a vulnerable child or consider becoming one of our critical CASA volunteers. Your support plays a vital role in giving children in care a brighter future, helping shape a future where every child in Lane County can grow up in a safe, loving environment. Be a part of the change toward a future where every child has a voice, a champion, and a chance.   

*Disclaimer: This story is real, but names of the child and CASA have been changed to protect their identity