The Difference One Voice Can Make

When seven-year-old Mia entered the foster care system, she carried everything she owned in a single trash bag. But what weighed heavier than her few belongings was the loneliness and confusion of being shuffled between homes, schools, and strangers — all while missing the mother who could no longer care for her.

In the middle of court dates and caseworkers changing every few months, there was one person who stayed: her CASA volunteer, Linda.

Linda wasn’t paid. She didn’t work for the system. But she was there, just for Mia.

At first, Mia didn’t say much. But Linda showed up, week after week — reading books, listening, sitting quietly with her when words felt too hard. Slowly, Mia opened up. Linda learned Mia loved to draw and dreamed of becoming an artist. She noticed Mia struggled in school, not because she wasn’t bright, but because the moves had caused her to fall behind.

At court hearings, where decisions about Mia’s life were made by adults in suits, it was Linda’s report that said, “This is what Mia needs.”

Because of Linda’s advocacy, Mia got extra tutoring and art supplies that helped her express feelings she couldn’t yet say out loud. Linda advocated Mia stay in a stable foster home that nurtured Mia’s creativity and let her be a kid again.

And two years later, when a forever family came forward — one who loved Mia’s big imagination and gentle heart — Linda stood beside her in the courtroom as the adoption was finalized.

Today, Mia is thriving. She still keeps in touch with Linda. Sometimes they talk about art projects, sometimes life. But Mia never forgets that when her world felt uncertain, one steady, caring voice made all the difference.

Not a caseworker. Not a judge.
Just Linda.
Her CASA.

Learn how you can become a “Linda” to a child here in Bourbon County.  Call Christa at 620-215-2769 or email christa@bourboncountycasa.com.