Bob Crandall, Dawson/Gosper County CASA Volunteer Advocate
I had just finished my volunteer training, and being an older male who loves the outdoors, I was expecting to advocate for a teen aged boy. To my surprise I was assigned a four year old girl who had been managing on her own while living with her parents. She could even make ramen noodles in the microwave.
When her parents were both incarcerated for intent to sell drugs, she was placed in a foster home. She was very upset and angry and was acting out after being removed from her parents. I don't know who was more frightened at my first visit with her, this little girl or myself.
I arrived at the foster home and was greeted by four other young foster children. When the foster mom brought my assigned little girl into the room, she took one look at me, ran down the hall and hid in a corner. I left shortly after but was beginning to realize how important TRUST is to become a successful volunteer. After several visits she finally warmed up to me and actually seemed to look forward to my visits.
Almost two years went by before she was placed with her half-brother and his girlfriend in a subsidized custody agreement. That day in court, I wondered if I did a good enough job. My answer came when this now six-year-old little girl walked over in the middle of court, crawled up in my lap, and exclaimed, in front of everyone "This is my Bob".
I thought that was the end of seeing this little girl. Unfortunately for her, she again entered the court system when her brother, who no longer lived with his girlfriend, was arrested for abuse. I was reassigned as her CASA and continued with my visits. She was placed in the foster home of the girlfriend's daughter, who with her husband had four children of their own. There she was accepted and became part of the family. After eight years, at the age of twelve, she was finally adopted by this family. She continues to thrive and has finally found her well-deserved home.
I have been a volunteer for nine years. I have advocated for fifteen children under three judges. It has been an opportunity to meet many, many people from judges to convicts and people in between. It has also been the opportunity to play the roles of friend, parent, advisor and even detective. Like many I was blessed to have been raised in a wonderful family. The CASA program and its volunteers can help give all children their right to grow up in a warm, caring, loving home.
