Behind Every Child Is a Community: The Power of Volunteer Advocacy by Sara Hockensmith
Hello friends from McHenry County and beyond! We’re excited to launch something new at CASA—a monthly blog designed to take you deeper into the stories, values, and people that drive our mission forward.
This month, we’re reflecting on a truth at the heart of our work: that behind every child is a community—of Advocates, supporters, and caring adults—who make healing and hope possible.
Working or volunteering in child welfare is not easy. It takes resilience, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child. What fuels CASA of McHenry County is the passion our Advocates bring to this work—the deep commitment they have for the children they serve. Each day, they show up, standing by youth through the highs and lows, the quiet moments and the uncertain ones. Through it all, one belief remains constant: every child deserves a voice.
In a typical home, a child has trusted adults—people they can talk to about their needs, fears, and dreams. For youth in care, this is not always the case. Some are placed in unfamiliar homes or move placements. Caseworkers and therapists may change frequently. Even the smallest things can become significant stressors when there’s no one consistently listening. What kind of mac and cheese do they like? Do they prefer showering in the morning or at night? Are they about to miss their best friend’s birthday party?
When small personal details are overlooked, larger needs can be missed too. Do they celebrate different cultural holidays? Are they working toward a dream college or want to join a certain extracurricular? What do they want for their future?
At CASA, we believe every voice and every question a child raises matters. That’s why our Volunteers show up—to make sure children are truly seen, and their voices genuinely heard.
CASA Advocates provide a consistent, trusted presence. They remain involved no matter how many times a child’s placement or professional team changes. That one steady adult becomes a powerful advocate—calling schools, collaborating with caseworkers, and presenting crucial insights in court. They speak up so children don’t have to go unheard.
Take Tiffany*, for example—a teenager who had spent several years in a group home and the court’s goal for her was to work toward Independence. But Tiffany had different hopes. She wanted to live with a relative in Wisconsin and move toward Guardianship instead. She shared this with her CASA Advocate, who listened closely and took action! Her Advocate worked alongside her caseworker and Guardian ad Litem (attorney), and all agreed it would be in Tiffany’s best interest to transition to her family member’s home and change her permanency goal. When the goal was approved, the Advocate was still by Tiffany’s side and continues to provide support.
Most importantly, her Advocate made sure Tiffany’s voice—her true wishes—were heard.
This is one child, one CASA and one voice that was heard. CASA of McHenry County serves approximately 350 youth in care with roughly 175 active Advocates each and every year.
But behind each of those numbers is a powerful truth: CASA is a movement of people showing up for kids. It’s neighbors stepping forward, volunteers giving their time, and a community choosing to stand up for its most vulnerable members. Every voice matters—especially the voice of a child—and through CASA, that voice is amplified, supported, and never forgotten.
This is not just a program; it’s a collective promise that no child walks through the foster care system alone.
Interested in becoming a CASA Advocate? You can sign up for an upcoming info session—available both in person and via Zoom here. If you’d like to support our mission in other ways, such as donating toward Advocate training or child-focused resources, please contact Bea at bea@casamchenrycounty.org.
*Name changed for privacy.