What is the CASA Program?

CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocates” and is a nationwide program in which the court appoints a one-on-one volunteer advocate for a specific child that is facing situations regarding neglect or abuse in the foster care system. Through advocacy and mentorship, the CASA Program empowers community members to stand up for a foster child and champion their rights in court. 

In San Francisco, which is facing an ongoing cost of living crisis, this program has become instrumental in ensuring children who are facing challenges either at home or within the foster care system have a representative that will advocate for their best interests. 

According to their website the San Francisco CASA program’s mission and historic path is as follows:

“Our vision is that every child and youth is in a safe and loving home, and has equitable access to the resources, community support, and opportunities they need to thrive. 

San Francisco CASA is a community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to training and supporting Court Appointed Special Advocates who serve San Francisco County's foster children. Since our founding in 1991 with our first graduating class of 11 volunteers, we have sworn in over 2,300 CASAs and empowered everyday citizens in San Francisco to become officers of the court, serving as advocates for abused and neglected youth in foster care. 

Our volunteers help foster children by advocating for safe and permanent homes, addressing urgent needs related to healthcare and education, and developing permanent connections within communities to ensure that support will continue even after a youth has left foster care.

We are committed to providing one-on-one volunteer advocacy and mentorship for foster youth. Today, we have 330 volunteers who have provided services to 334 court-dependent children and adolescents in the past year. 

These youth face huge odds stacked against them. From mental health issues and emotional disturbance caused by trauma to educational challenges that keep more than half of California's foster children from graduating high school, from insufficient placements to high rates of unemployment and homelessness after leaving care, it can seem nearly impossible for foster children to find their place. A CASA helps fight against the odds, increasing the chances for a child in foster care to lead a healthy, happy life in a safe and permanent home. 

The national CASA network has grown to more than 97,900 CASA and guardian ad litem volunteers, serving 242,000 abused and neglected children nationwide.”

Hannah Stombler-Levine (also known as Hannah Ayla) has been a special advocate since 2015 and is extremely passionate about the program. Throughout the past 8 years Hannah fiercely advocated for the child assigned to her by means of fundraising, professional mentorship, helping them to navigate the court system effectively, helping to navigate opportunities for higher education, and so much more. 

Here’s what a few of her colleagues in the program had to say about her work in the program: 

“When Hannah embarked on the CASA journey, the youth she served was just 11 years old. Throughout the past 6+ years Hannah has been supporting and caring for a special young lady through many highs and lows, including 30 placement changes. Navigating teen years and risky behaviors is a challenge for all CASAs and it was no different for Hannah as she supported a young person experiencing CSEC. She managed to find the tricky balance between speaking up when situations felt dangerous, while also being there to emotionally support her young person through traumatic experiences and uncertainty.” 

“Hannah built a deep and lasting relationship with her youth, who has shared many times how she knows Hannah will always be there for her. Hannah has driven so many miles (sometimes with no advance notice), and given so many hours (visiting, talking, texting) and written so many impactful court reports! She has traveled all of the state, been pleasantly pushy with team members who were disengaged, and communicated regularly with her Case Supervisor.”

“In 9th grade, Hannah's youth was reading at a 2nd grade level. Happily, a few weeks ago Hannah was thrilled to watch her youth give the commencement speech at her high school graduation! SFCASA is so grateful for Hannah and the difference she has made in this young person's life. Thank you Hannah!”

“In addition to being an exemplary advocate, Hannah also works to support our organization as a whole by helping with fundraising efforts, seeking out extracurricular and job training opportunities for other youth, and building community connections for recruitment. Hannah expertly matches her innate altruism with serious organizational expertise; any team would be lucky to have her. — Mia Ragent, supervisor”

If you’d like to get involved with CASA please head to their website for more information.

https://www.sfcasa.org/volunteer