When I learned about CASA in 2012, I could not imagine a better organization to be part of. I wanted so badly to learn more about education in urban areas and how to advocate for children in my community who needed support the most. I wanted to learn the strengths and weaknesses that Philly carried when it came to our youngest, most vulnerable population — children and youth in foster care. I have learned valuable lessons on what to say in terrible situations and what not to say. I have made mistakes and learned incredible lessons.
At CASA, we have some tough cases. We don’t necessarily walk away or close cases and feel like there is a happy ending. We ponder the circumstances and close out, hopefully feeling like we did everything possible a CASA or EDM could do. We are not fixers. We are not here to save. We are here to stand in the rain during an incredible storm and provide the court and the care team the necessary information needed to make well-informed decisions that have lasting impact on a child’s life.
We build relationships with incredible human beings as we continue to live our own everyday lives. All of our cases vary, and our preferences as volunteers are different. We show up. We continue to show up. We build relationships and bring people together. We are the voice for the child.
I learned last month that one of the boys that I was appointed to as CASA was shot and killed earlier this year at age 22. This person was part of my life for over 7 years. As his CASA and EDM, I took his calls on Christmas Eve, worked with family members and court team to support sibling connections, worked to ensure he was fully supported in school, and wanted him to feel like I had his back- no matter what. This man aged out after living in more than 50 placements when he turned 18. One of my favorite things about him was he always opened the doors at school for me and I will forever wonder who taught him that. He felt safe to share his exasperated frustrations with being in care. He was so resilient until he wasn’t.
As I processed this loss, I naturally reviewed everything that I did to attempt to connect this young man with resources that could support success. It’s sad and unfortunate. This isn’t about me though. It’s about our community in need. While mourning this loss, I also received multiple text messages from another aged out EDM youth. Checking in. This 20-year-old not only graduated high school this past June but also reunified with her daughter and both mother and daughter were successfully closed out of dependency court in August 2025. Proud is an understatement.
I share this with you because our CASA journeys are all different, yet our impact is powerful. Every child that I have worked with at CASA has impacted my life in some sort of way and I am confident that I have impacted theirs as well. We handle challenges, brainstorm with team, figure out solutions, all while showing up for our kids consistently despite knowing their lives will always contain barriers. We mourn our defeats and celebrate our wins as a community. We sing their praises and clap the loudest for them even when we don’t think they hear it. We show up despite their odds.
Nearly 15 years after learning about CASA I am still an active CASA and serve as Advocate Support Coordinator here at CASA Philadelphia. I am here to help other volunteers stay the course and stand strong in the rain of that incredible storm knowing from personal experience that while not every case will have a happy ending, we can always provide hope and a voice to the often-voiceless children of foster care.
By Jessica Chan, Advocate Support Coordinator, CASA Philadelphia