What I have come to love most as a CASA GAL is the trust that is established between me and each of my CASA children, in their world of turmoil. They have dealt with the trauma of being torn from their families, often placed with strangers in unfamiliar surroundings, and they are so scared. But as they come to realize, each time I come to visit, I don't cause any problems, I just bring a hug and a smile, maybe a toy. I get to play with them, take them for ice cream, no strings attached. They finally get it, that I am there just for them. They really are important to me. Then I get hugs again when it is time to say good by - see you next time. I ruffle their hair, I hug them again. I go to my car and ask God, "How will this end?"

Soon I'm back in court with the Department, the parents, the lawyers, and the judge. We all "know" what is best for these children. We often don't agree. And all these precious children want is to go home and be with mom and maybe dad, if they are lucky enough to have a dad around. They don't care that mom and dad won't comply with the Department's request to take a few parenting classes and learn to deal with their anger issues so they won't hurt them anymore. The kids don't get it that their parent's addiction to drugs overcomes their need for love and affection. They just want to go home. So we all stand before the judge and offer our best solutions for these children's lives.

What an awesome responsibility! Oh, but I love it. To be able to speak up for a child in this world of chaos. To know that the judge will listen to what I have to say, and respect my recommendations, gives me a sense of accomplishment. It doesn't always go the way I want it to, but it has always been well worth the fight! Well worth the effort. Well worth the time.  I feel I have achieved something that is truly valuable and everlasting to each child; because I know that most children growing up in foster care have a slim chance of really succeeding after they age out. Those who have  a CASA GAL on their side - to make sure their needs are being met, to give them hugs, to let them know they are fighting for them, to take away some of the sting of rejection - they are the ones who have a much better chance of succeeding. It makes me feel so good to leave them with a hug, because it shouldn't hurt to be a child.