When people hear that I’m a CASA Advocate, they often say, “I don’t know how you do it.” I
don’t do it alone and I don’t do it because it’s easy; I do it because every child deserves someone
in their corner, someone who shows up, listens, and reminds them they matter.
Being asked to share my thoughts for CASA Advocate Appreciation Month has given me a
moment to reflect, not just on the challenges, but on the quiet, powerful moments that define this
work. The small victories. The trust that builds over time. The first time a child opens up. The
moment they realize you’re not going anywhere.
Being an Advocate means stepping into a child’s life during one of their most uncertain times. It
means navigating systems, attending court hearings, writing reports, but more importantly, it
means building a relationship rooted in consistency and care. Sometimes that looks like playing a
game, reading a story, helping with homework, sharing a meal, or just sitting side by side in
comfortable silence.
There are hard days. Days when progress feels slow or setbacks feel heavy, my CASA journey is
anchored by many of these moments. But then there are moments that stay with you forever, a
conversation that comes easier than it used to, a smile that wasn’t there before, a sense of hope
beginning to take shape. Those are the reminders that this work matters.
What I’ve learned as a CASA Advocate is that presence is powerful. You don’t have to have all
the answers. You just have to show up, again and again, and be someone a child can count on.
What I didn’t expect was just how much this role would shape my own path. Serving as an
Advocate didn’t just change how I see the world, it changed what I wanted to do in it. The
experience was so meaningful and impactful that I now have the privilege of working for this
organization, continuing the mission in a new way while staying deeply connected to the heart of
the work: the children.
This month, I’m incredibly grateful, not just for the opportunity to be involved in this
organization, but for the community that surrounds this work. The staff and board members who
guide us, the donors and supporters who make it possible, and most importantly all the
Advocates who walk this path alongside me. Each of us plays a role in ensuring that children
who have experienced abuse or neglect are seen, heard, and supported.
Being a CASA Advocate has changed me. It has deepened my perspective, strengthened my
empathy, and reminded me what it truly means to make a difference.
To anyone considering becoming an Advocate: you don’t need to be perfect. You just need to
care and be willing to stand beside a child who needs you.
And to my fellow Advocates… THANK YOU! This month, and every month, you are making
an impact that lasts a lifetime.
-Denise Wasserman Haugk
Grateful Advocate/Development Manager