CASA Lily was assigned to “Elle’s” case in September 2019 and has been a fierce advocate every day since. Elle is an 18-year-old woman who did not have her original birth certificate, which was stopping her from getting an identification card, opening a bank account, and doing pretty much anything requiring an ID. CASA Lily spent countless hours at the consulate in San Diego and Los Angeles, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and on the phone in attempts to get Elle an ID without her original birth certificate, which began to seem like an impossible feat.
CASA Lily was also assigned to Elle’s younger sister and maintained a positive relationship with their mother, despite the fact that Elle hadn’t seen or spoken to her mother in years. CASA Lily was eventually able to convince Elle’s mother to have Elle’s birth certificate shipped to San Diego from a rural village in Guatemala by one of Elle’s extended family members. CASA Lily even picked up the birth certificate from Elle’s mother in order to hand deliver it to Elle’s placement.
CASA Lily’s advocacy supervisor says Lily is the most determined CASA with whom she has had the pleasure of working. CASA Lily is constantly keeping everyone accountable in a firm, but kind manner. She cares for Elle so much and has not stopped planning for her future. She also maintained a good relationship with Elle’s mother in case Elle ever decided she wanted to talk to or see her again. This paid off when Elle recently told CASA Lily she wanted to see her mother. CASA Lily was able to arrange a meeting, and mother and daughter will soon be seeing each other again after years apart.
Volunteer: Lily G.
County: San Diego
Became a CASA: 2019
Favorite part of being a CASA: So many things! Undoubtedly though, seeing the progress, growth, and positive changes in her life is one of my favorite things about being a CASA.
Advice for new CASAs: Call your advocacy supervisor. They are there to help you. I have never felt alone or lost in this journey because they have been by my side (and my assigned youth.)
Quote to live by: “You see pain with your eyes, but you sympathize with your ears. Sometimes the greatest way to serve someone is just by listening. Behind every need is a story.” –Pastor Rick Warren
Learn more about CASA Lily in Times of San Diego.
You, too, can make a difference in the life of youth in foster care. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer.
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