He smiled slightly as he   spoke kindly of the lady who obviously was his advocate, his life line,  at this critical juncture. Once again because of  conflicts erupting, he had  to admit that  another   foster home   assignment was not working.  Once again, time had come for him to move on to another home,   another family to add to his already very long list.  

He was a foster child, one among many in a group of at-risk students with whom I worked   as an educational consultant during the 1980’s while researching and Developing the Pathfinder   program designed especially for at-risk youth.  When my husband, Fred, met him he affectionately called him "the Sparrow" because although he was   small, dark and delicate like a sparrow, when we looked into his sad eyes, we both agreed that they illuminated silent strength, wisdom and spirit of determination   waiting to ring forth a melodious tune.

Little did I realize at that time of the magnitude of challenges the children in state foster care face as innocent victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment..

For those of us who were blessed   to grow up with two loving, caring parents, it may be difficult to conceive the reality of being one small child among thousands in an overburdened system.   In some cases, the system has to rescue these children from their own parents.  Under the circumstances, who can make sure that such a child is given the full scope of representation he or she deserves?  Fortunately, for the children, one answer that is now available is CASA.  

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, are trained Community volunteers appointed by a judge to serve as a child’s voice in court.  It is their job to represent the best interest of those abused or neglected children during juvenile court and social services proceedings.

"Our volunteers work closely with the children and with everyone else involved in the case," said Jacqueline Helwig, Program Coordinator for the Capital Area CASA Association.        

And what a group of dedicated volunteers these CASA’s are. In addition to the typical sharing of information to volunteer one must complete a 40-hour training course, serve at least one year and in addition to working on the case, attend 12 hours of in-service trying  after taking a case.    

They are carefully screened for objectivity, competence and commitment. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional educational and ethnic backgrounds.

Although most are employed full time they believe that the commitment is worth every minute they invest.   The rewards are great according to Janet Sheldon who has been a CASA volunteer for over three years.  Janet, a program manager of youth programs at LSU; has been involved with CASA as a volunteer advocate, recruiter and current member of the board.  

As I listened to Janet share her experiences as a CASA volunteer, I began to reflect about my similar experiences with The Sparrow and other foster children when she said:         

"My first experience involved three children, ages three, five and seven, being raised in a crack house by their mother and grandmother.  The children were not attending school and food was often in short supply. The seven year old was the parental figure for the younger siblings when they entered the foster care system.  

They were in foster care for three years, had changed foster homes four times and had seven case workers.  The lack of stability in their lives began to take its toll and the children were creating such disturbances at school that every one involved finally realized these children were in crisis.       

Meetings were held with school personnel, psychiatrists, medical doctors and a therapist.  We developed plans to sustain the children at school and home." 

This case has a potentially happy ending because a bright, personable career woman and a very understanding, patient, and affectionate man may become their adoptive mother and father. 

When I asked Janet to summarize what lessons she has learned from her experiences as a CASA volunteer she paused for a moment and replied:

"There are several lessons that will stay with me.  One is how much children love  their parents regardless of the pain and suffering they sometimes put their children through; and no matter how brutal their home situation was, children usually want to go home."   She continued: " Another lesson is that the abusers in these cases are often people who have been so immersed in negative situations in their lives that one can see them as victims who have experienced a family history of abuse, or no family, no spouse for support, no job skills, low intelligence, lack of education, no home, no money, and untreated mental health problems.       

"Ironically, I have actually liked the two moms in the cases I have had.  They both were very personable, have redeeming qualities and perhaps would have had totally different lifestyles if someone had intervened for them earlier.  I have wondered at times if I had been in their situations how well I could have handled things.  I guess the main   realization I’ve come to is that we all need to take care of each other and Are all more alike than different.  Personal intervention and acceptance goes a lot further than sporadic and   often inconsistent oversight by social agencies."

I asked Dennis Dillion, another volunteer who serves on the CASA board what motivated him to get involved and his story was just an inspirational as Janet and mine had been.   "I was the youngest of thirteen siblings.  We lived  out in the country  during a time when people worked together, people helped people and there was no  such word as homeless.  My parents raised me and raised my cousin right along side  me like one of their own.  People looked out for the children in our community  which taught me the importance of making a difference in each others lives."

The lesson Dennis learned from his loving parents motivated him to dedicate his life to helping others. He works with the Casey Family Program as Supervisor of Community Development.  Dennis has a Phd. From LSU In Vocational Education and a Masters Degree in Social Work and has served as an adjunct professor in LSU Graduate School of Social Work, yet still takes time to sit on the board, meet monthly to offer direction to the Ex. Director of Casa, its staff in order to provide the best services possible for the children.   

Since 1992, almost 300  volunteers have provided a voice in court for almost 600 abused and  neglected children.  Sharon Dufrene has a good   perspective of the needs of the  people and organizations involved in caring for the states foster children.  She has   been a foster parent, an adoptive parent, a CASA volunteer and Board member  and believes:  "We need more people, we need more volunteers.  Become a foster parent, or help change legislation because the system is really, really misstructured."

At this time CASA provides volunteer advocates for  about half of the children in foster care as it works to  achieve its goal - a CASA for every child who needs one.

In an effort to accomplish this goal the CASA Association is preparing for its 7^th annual event which includes a two-week playhouse raffle with activities to generate public awareness, funding and support for continuous efforts on behalf of neglected and abused children.  A Mexican  Fiesta party complete with buffet provided  by Serranos Salsa Company  on July 29 from 7:10 p.m. at the Mall of  Louisiana center court on the lower level  will mark the beginning of the Festivities  which include a Children’s Activity Day on August 4^th, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00  p.m.    

The playhouse being raffled will be on display at the Mall of Louisiana.  Its designer is  Trula Remson,  of Remson-Haley Architects  and the builder -  Pete Goff of Heritage Homes Inc.    "This playhouse," according to Trula, "was designed to always be filled with sunlight  and breezes and children are invited to use their imaginations.  A loft invites the  children to climb up to spy out the tall windows" to be Rapunzel or to be on lookout  for the enemy.  This playhouse is for boys and for girls.  It is Tarzan’s hideout,  Cinderella’s castle and the Alamo all at the same time. It is a happy place for a  Child  to pretend and to grow."  

Todd Denton, General Manager of the Mall of Louisiana  serves as  the Treasurer for the CASA Board reminded me of  its mission which is to secure a safe and permanent home for every abused and neglected child and affirmed: " The true heroes are the CASA Volunteers  who share their valuable  time and talents as child  advocates.

They are the ones who as appropriate listen carefully,  speak for, stand with the children. As he spoke he referenced a tribute to CASA Volunteers that appeared in one of the newsletters: "They are  the voice of  and  heart for a child" the people who want  the children with   whom they work to  believe that life is worth it and that  together  we can and  will work to  make a difference. CASA’s are a  powerful voice in a  child’s life!"

As our visit came to a close, my thoughts turned to  "The Sparrow" and  was reminded  what a difference he made in my life and prayerfully, the small difference I made in his.  

Janet summed up my feelings when she said:  "My children have finally found the wonderful family they deserve.  I can hardly wait to see what these children will be like in another ten years.  I know that with their own tremendous potential and the nurturing they will receive from their new adoptive family, they are going to be great!"  She  reminded me of my similar experience with  "the eyes of the  Sparrow" because they too  harbor words unspoken  waiting to ring forth  a melodious  tune  Janet Sheldon, Dennis Dillion,  Todd Denton, foster children, adoptive parents CASA Board members and  Staff,  and all CASA  Volunteers, you are  the Talk of the Town!