Making a Difference: CASA of Santa Cruz County

In Santa Cruz County, youth advocates tell NewsChannel 5 hundreds of kids are placed in foster care each year because of abuse or neglect and each day they face uncertainty and trauma. But one organization is giving those children hope with a home and a mentor.

“My dad was an alcoholic. I was on the streets for three months,” former foster youth Trevor Weedler said.

Weedler is now an adult, but when he was 15-years-old, he ran away from home.

After struggling in school, Trevor visited CASA of Santa Cruz County and was introduced to Joe.

“He showed me an example of someone who had their stuff put together,” Weedler said.

Joe is one of 240 volunteers with CASA of Santa Cruz County. The chapter is part of a national recognized organization funded mostly through private donations. These volunteers are trained to mentor and represent severely abused, neglected or abandon children.

Fred Koehler is a Supervisor for CASA of Santa Cruz and said, “it’s kinda like a big brother, big sister but with court responsibly. All these kids are in a place in their life where they really need someone to speak up for than and some they can trust.”

These volunteers become advocates for children and are trained for five weeks. Then they are sworn in as officers of the court. They work one one one with a child and their service providers to ensure their needs are being met. It’s a two year commitment that volunteer Mary Kashmar said helps children see their potential.

“I’m able to give this young woman my time, my energy and my love and help her navigate the system,” Kashmar said.

It’s that kind of support which inspired Trevor to go to college.

“These people come into our lives to help help, but they’re also inspiring us. It’s a role model,” Weedler said.

Making a difference by providing a voice, stability and hope to children who need it the most.

To learn more about CASA of Santa Cruz County, visit their website, http://casaofsantacruz.org/