Help CASA protect children, empower families, and advocate for positive outcomes for children involved in the child welfare system.

Savannah’s Story

The first time I came into foster care, I was a year old. At age four, a relative adopted me. After a couple of years, my adoptive parents realized they could no longer care for me. When we took a Christmas trip to visit my biological mom and family members in Texas, I woke up to find that my adoptive family had left me behind. My mother tried to care for me, but she wasn't able, and we were evicted from our home. I was placed in two more foster homes before another family said they wanted to adopt me. I was upset and confused. Why didn’t my family want me? And, if my biological parents and adoptive parents didn’t want me, why would any other family?

It took some time, but I finaly found a foster family that accepted me. I like my foster family and have even started calling them mom and dad. However, I still struggle to trust new people, so it is hard for me to say I'm ready to be adopted. Sometimes, I feel pressured to be adopted. My Advocate is always listening to me and never puts any pressure on me. We discuss all my options so I can make an informed decision when I am ready. She even goes to court and speaks up for me when I feel no one will listen. When I have an accomplishment in school or something exciting going on, I can't wait to tell my Advocate. I know she will always be there for me.

Advocates like Savannah’s play an indispensable role in the court system, serving as the child's independent voice and providing oversight to ensure their safety and well-being. Through advocacy efforts, CASA strives to create loving and nurturing home environments that meet the child's physical, emotional, and medical needs. This allows them to grow up in a secure and protected environment. As the only Guardian-Ad-Litem program in Grayson County, it is CASA’s mission to provide for a brighter future.