At our Stand Up for Kids fundraiser in May, we had the honor of recognizing CASA Volunteer Tom Anderson with an award for his extraordinary support of two young children whose early lives had been marked by domestic violence, substance use and the absence of their incarcerated father. Tom’s journey as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a powerful reminder that having a stable relationship with a supportive adult can improve outcomes, even when children have faced significant hardships.
Tom was matched with two siblings, now ages 7 and 9. Tom stepped into their lives, not only as their advocate, but as a positive male role model. Week after week, Tom showed up. His time with them was filled with learning and play. He got to know each of them and built trust on the walks they took together, while playing at the park, reading books, doing crafts and even set up a tent in the community room of their apartment building for a pretend adventure in the woods! He also introduced them to his dog, Lu, and used Lu to teach them about responsibility, empathy and unconditional love. Today, the siblings have a dog of their own, a small, but meaningful example of the life Tom helped them imagine.
When they needed dental care, past trauma and disputes about insurance/responsibility made care feel out of reach. But Tom persisted. He read them stories about visiting the dentist, answered their questions and advocated tirelessly to get them the care they needed.
Although the siblings’ case closed last fall, Tom continues to visit regularly.
When Tom took the stage to accept his award, he shared a simple, but powerful message: “If I can do this, you can, too.” He also took a moment to thank CASA Case Coordinator Lindy Agate for her guidance and support (and for her support in helping him prepare his court reports)!
When Tom became a CASA Volunteer, he committed to a year of advocacy (the requirement for all CASA volunteers). But advocacy, as we know, has no set timeline. For Tom, that year became two and half. We’re proud to honor Tom for his commitment, willingness to stay until the case closed and the impact he made in these siblings’ lives.
Whether you can commit to a year (roughly 10 hours per month) or are able to stay on until a case is closed - your time is valuable and we need your help to keep advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Want to learn more about CASA? Click here.
