Volunteer Perspectives: Stephanie & Josh

Meet the Co-CASA Team

A CASA volunteer advocating for children navigating the foster care system shines hope and stability into dark spaces. What happens, though, when two people, both motivated by a sense of justice and compassion, work together? This is the story of Stephanie and Josh, a husband-and-wife team who embarked on the journey of advocacy for vulnerable children.

From Stephanie’s perspective

From the beginning, Josh and I made a conscious decision to become CASA volunteers together. We underwent the rigorous training that CASA requires, immersing ourselves in the complexities of trauma and resilience. Sharing this experience opened our eyes to the harsh realities that some children face, but also started the process of introspection in our marriage. We began to share our own childhood narratives with each other, and through these vulnerable conversations, deepened and strengthened our bond. The empathy and understanding that we gained further united us in our shared vision of being a voice for children in need.

Unique strengths

As we embarked on the CASA journey, we discovered the unique strengths we each brought to the table. I used my ability to connect with people to help forge meaningful relationships with foster parents, teachers, and caseworkers alike. Meanwhile, Josh’s legal background, knack for writing reports, and attention to detail brought precision and clarity to our efforts. We made a good team!

Perhaps the most profound aspect of our partnership, though, was the ability to navigate the challenges of CASA advocacy as partners. Together, we were able to draw strength from each other as we tackled a complex case and advocated tirelessly for the children under our care. We were able to share both the ups and the downs of the journey – the fun outings to the park or zoo, as well as the really difficult moments of advocating for hurting children.

Challenges & joy

We hope our story serves as inspiration for others considering joining CASA’s vision of a voice for every child. As a husband/wife co-CASA team, we shared the challenges of advocating for vulnerable children, but we also shared the joy. Joining forces with a spouse, family member or friend to be an advocate may not be for everyone, but it definitely testifies to the impact that love, compassion, and partnership can have on the world – especially the world of a child.