Lighting up the room

Sometimes I get teased for how much I care about CASA’s event themes, but I take this ribbing well. I truly appreciate how a cohesive theme creates a memorable experience for guests and, most importantly, tells a story.

This year’s theme for CASA’s annual luncheon was Here Comes the Sun. In the months leading up to the event, Sam, CASA’s development and marketing specialist, and I spent time online searching for ideas related to music, décor, flowers, and more. Not surprisingly, this influenced my social media feeds, which increasingly featured “suggested for you” posts related to the luncheon.

One day, this quote appeared on Instagram:

“It should be a birthright for a child to know what it feels like to light up a room.”

It was written by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, the author of The Body Keeps the Score, a book detailing how trauma reshapes the brains and bodies of survivors. He perfectly captures the message of the luncheon: children are meant to shine.

After enduring the trauma of abuse and neglect, being removed from their homes, and navigating an overburdened child welfare system, many children lose their light entirely. However, through the dedicated work of people who care deeply about their well-being, including their CASA volunteers, children slowly get their sparkle back.

The goal at the end of any family court case is to place the child in a permanent, loving home–preferably reunified with their parents, or otherwise with an adoptive family or a guardian. When children experience long-term safety, stability, and care, they can light up any room. Not only do they shine, but the people who love them glow in their presence

This is the mission that you are part of. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all CASA volunteers, board members, donors, and friends for your commitment to helping children shine. Your dedication lays the foundation for a brighter future for these children and for our community.

Here comes the sun!

This story is featured in the Summer 2024 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.