The meaning of Home

It turns out my adult son David, now a proud homeowner, has established some clear rules for me: no stopping by unannounced, no entering without knocking (even when he knows I’m coming), and no visiting so often that it feels like I’m checking up on him.

What’s funny is that none of these rules apply to David. He can drop by my house anytime. He walks right in without knocking, even if I wasn’t expecting him. And I’d welcome him every single day, especially if he were checking on me.

I know exactly what’s going on here, and I’m guessing you do too. My house was David’s home for more than two decades. It’s where he came home from the hospital as a newborn. It’s where he played—and fought—with his big brother, learned to play t-ball in the backyard, read books with me curled up on the sofa, played hockey on the makeshift rink built (and carefully watered) by his dad, and recovered from a broken leg after a skiing accident. This house holds so many of his childhood memories, and it still feels like home. And when a place is home, you get to come and go as you please.

“Home” was the theme of CASA’s 2025 Annual Luncheon, and some of the most moving moments came from students at Catholic Central High School. Art students filled the room with paintings and clay sculptures, each one a personal take on what “home” means. The Women’s Chorale shared two beautiful songs that stayed with us long after the event ended. Through their art and music, these students reminded us that home is more than just a place.

Several of the art students also shared written reflections on what home means to them. Again and again, the same themes appeared: safety, love, and “a place where I can be completely myself.” That language came straight from the students—and it stuck with me.

For many children in foster care, those things are uncertain or disrupted. CASA’s mission is to help restore that sense of home—by supporting children and their families, and by advocating for the safe, stable, and permanent connections they need to thrive. Often, the best possible outcome is reunification with family, and we are honored to walk alongside parents, caregivers, and professionals to make that possible. When that’s not an option, our volunteers continue to advocate until a child finds another permanent place to belong. In every case, we are working toward the same goal: a home where a child can be safe, known, and completely themselves.

I still smile at David’s rules and the unspoken truth behind them. He knows what it means to have a place where you’re known and loved, and I hope he always feels that sense of home when he walks through our door. Every child deserves that. And thanks to you—our volunteers, donors, luncheon guests, and community partners—more children in Kent County are getting the chance to experience it. Whether you give your time, your resources, or your voice, you are part of making home possible for the kids who need it most. Thank you for standing with us in this work.

This story is featured in the Summer 2025 edition of CASA Connect, CASA of Kent County’s quarterly newsletter. Click here to view a pdf version of this newsletter.