Over the next four years, her CASA became her cheerleader, mentor, and constant, walking beside her through high school, her first job, and her dream of enrolling in cosmetology school. Along the way, CASA helped open doors that might have otherwise stayed closed. Through our program, she received Uber gift cards to get safely to her night classes, support to pay for her Driver’s Education courses, and recently, funding for extra driving lessons so she could finally feel confident behind the wheel.

Even after emancipation, Lynn has stayed in touch, proof that the impact of CASA doesn’t end when a case closes. This year, she reached out to share that she was ready to take her DMV test and proudly showed off the car her late grandfather had left her. Getting her license, she said, would be her way of honoring him.

When she needed an outfit for her grandfather’s funeral, CASA was there once again, this time with a Walmart gift card to help her prepare for the day. When our Advocate Supervisor dropped it off, Lynn smiled through tears and said how grateful she was that CASA was still in her corner.

Today, Lynn is preparing to start her nursing program, determined to build a stable and fulfilling future for herself. She’s working toward her driver’s license, reconnecting with her support system in Upland, and looking forward to the next chapter of her life, one she’s creating with courage, purpose, and heart.

A’s story is a powerful reminder that the guidance of one caring adult can change the course of a young person’s life. Her journey shows what happens when a youth who has faced unimaginable challenges is met with consistency, compassion, and belief in their potential.

This is what CASA does. This is why we do it. If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can truly make a difference you can.

Become a CASA Volunteer and stand with a youth who just needs someone to believe in them.