For youth who’ve experienced upheaval, uncertainty often becomes the norm. Since 2021, CASA Rhiana has been a steady presence in Andy’s* life—showing up, again and again. Through every season of growth, every challenge, and every triumph, she has remained a constant. Her ongoing support has helped replace instability with trust and uncertainty with hope.
Andy entered foster care after experiencing significant hardship from living in an abusive home. The trauma he endured was profound and complex— having left deep emotional scars. Andy was a child in crisis, and for the first two years of his time in care, he moved from one short-term placement to another. He was disruptive in class, often angry and withdrawn, and had frequent verbal and physical altercations with peers. His trauma showed up in his behavior, as it often does with children in care. However, everything began to shift when 13-year-old Andy met Rhiana, his Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
From their very first meeting, CASA Rhiana made it clear she was in Andy’s corner for the long haul. Whether navigating school transitions, placement changes, or emotional crises, she has remained patient, compassionate, and fiercely committed to Andy’s well-being. When Andy lashed out or shut down, CASA Rhiana never took it personally. Instead, she gently reminded him of his worth and modeled emotional regulation and care. She advocated fiercely for Andy’s needs, researching educational options, working with therapists and school staff, and helping facilitate a transition from a non-public school to a public school—an important step in normalizing Andy’s daily routine.
With every outing and interaction with Andy, CASA Rhiana discovered that beneath the outbursts, behind the walls, there was a boy with a huge heart. He is funny, imaginative, and full of life. Andy’s young teenage years were not without struggles. He continued to experience instability and was placed in a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP), where he struggled with behavior, school attendance, and peer relationships that led him to some troubling circumstances. But in 2024, Andy’s journey in foster care took another pivotal turn. He was placed in a small family home —a stable, supportive environment with caregivers who genuinely saw and respected him. For the first time in his life, Andy had a structured home life that felt safe and secure. His new caregiver has become a mentor figure to him and their bond grew quickly, filled with humor, trust, and firm guidance.
Now, at 16, Andy is proud of who he’s becoming. He is excelling academically and is focused on graduating early. He’s curious about his future, thinking about adulthood, and exploring the idea of extended foster care to help him prepare for independence. He’s making thoughtful choices for his future—and for the first time, he’s allowing himself to imagine it.
Andy’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. It happened over countless car rides and shared meals, over birthday celebrations and honest conversations. It happened because CASA Rhiana kept showing up and never stopped believing that Andy could succeed in the right environment. This is what a CASA can do—not fix everything, not erase the past—but walk beside a young person long enough to show them that stability is possible, that trust can be earned, and that they are not alone. Because of CASA Rhiana’s consistency, Andy is growing up into a young man who believes in his own voice, his future, and his worth.
Name: Rhiana L.
County: Riverside
Occupation: Firefighter Paramedic
Became a CASA in: 2021
Favorite part of being a CASA: “Developing a friendship with my youth and going on adventures that I would have never thought of without him. We have so much fun together that I look forward to spending time with him.”
You, too, can make a significant difference in the lives of young boys in foster care like Andy. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer and start making a positive impact today.
*Names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality
