Last Thursday CASA of Marion County had their annual luncheon in downtown Salem's Reed Ballroom. Vanessa Nordyke, CASA Executive Director, invited my wife and me to the event, which is both a fundraiser and an opportunity to showcase what CASA does.
I was somewhat familiar with CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) because my daughter, Celeste, had served as one in Orange County, California. But I didn't even know what CASA stood for until the luncheon.
I came away highly impressed. A page in the event handout describes how CASA of Marion County helps foster children.
A You Tube video I found on the CASA of Marion County web site shows how important a CASA volunteer can be in the life of a foster child.
At the luncheon, I was deeply moved -- almost to tears -- when a girl who had been helped by CASA of Marion County spoke. She started off by saying that this was the first time she had spoken to a group outside of school.
That got a big round of applause from the luncheon attendees, which was followed by more applause during her talk, and then a standing ovation at the end. Pretty cool response for the girl's first public speaking experience.
I can't remember all of the details of her lousy upbringing by a dysfunctional mother, so I won't attempt to describe them. What stuck in my mind was when she said that her mother didn't believe it was important for her to go to school, so her mother would pull her out of school for months at a time.
Eventually she was adopted, something that scared the girl at first. However, her foster parents treated her well for the first time in her life, and the CASA volunteer helped make her foster experience even more positive.
Even with all the problems she faced prior to being adopted, the girl said she ended up with a 3.96 high school GPA, I think it was, and because the first person in her family to go to college. What really got to me, and the other luncheon attendees, I'm sure, was the girl's statement that her tribulations ended up making her stronger and more resilient.
Listening to her talk, I couldn't help but think of my own struggles as an adolescent caused in large part by my divorced mother's alcoholism. It was just me and her facing her demons, and I didn't know how to deal with that. A supportive girlfriend with a normal family helped me through some tough times.
So while my situation in high school wasn't nearly as bad as the girl's, I could relate to her struggles caused by a mother who wasn't capable of being the parent the girl deserved. Growing up is tough enough without parental dysfunction making it much more difficult.
It was wonderful to learn how CASA of Marion County is helping foster children in our area. My wife and I, along with so many others at the luncheon, were pleased to make a donation to the organization. Consider doing so also.
Thank you so much for coming, Brian! We are so proud of our foster teen. She bravely shared her story and inspired us all.
Posted by: Vanessa Nordyke | December 11, 2023 at 01:04 PM