As a bilingual person, I became a CASA because I wanted to be a voice for the Latino community and children. CASA of Berks County's mission and vision are important to me, and I enjoy working with kids and teenagers. I wanted to be their eyes and ears and make a difference in their lives.
My first case involved a brother and sister who were removed from their mother's home. While the brother was reunited with his biological father, his sister, who is now a teenager, is still in the system. I have been with her for almost seven years, and I am proud of the relationship that we have built. Being her constant fills me as a human being, and seeing her grow as a young woman is rewarding and makes me feel proud.
There's not always a budget for clothing, hair products, or makeup; and I have been blessed enough to be able to go into my own pocket to purchase these things for her. I believe that we should treat these kids well because they are going to be our future adults.
As a society, we need to be there for our kids who are dealing with a lot of trauma. We see a lot of school bullying and data about girls and suicide. It is important for us to make a difference in the lives of these families and children. I am hopeful that more people in the Hispanic community will volunteer as a CASA and help make a difference in the lives of our children.
