“I’m a volunteer court-appointed special advocate for children who are in the foster care system. Their case worker may change. Their attorney may change. But unless they move to Austin or some place like that, I will continue to be the one face that never changes.

“I get to spend time with them. I get to know them. They get to feel safe with me. And they feel loved. In the spectrum of all the court processes that are involved in their case, it means a lot to those little kids to have somebody there who is really fighting for them and can speak for them. 

“When I go over there, it’s like visiting my grandkids, and we have a good time. I just love kids. If I could have had 12 of my own, I would have. But I only had two. That’s all God wanted for me. I do have four grandkids and one on the way.

“I just have so much love to give. And I have free time. So why would I want to bottle that up in my house? I want to share it with these kids, and I want to help them. They go through some horrible, horrible things in their lives. I just want them to know that there’s somebody who is always there for them. I think I can do that.”

— Stella Furst

Stella volunteers with CASA of Liberty and Chambers County. Additional advocates are needed.

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The post Foster care advocate has ‘so much love to give’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I thought I would retire and get a part-time job to earn some extra money. Instead, I volunteer with CASA. I’m a court-appointed special advocate for kids who are in foster care.

“I work with one family that has four kids and another family with a 2-year-old. Of course, Child Protective Services is involved, but I’m an unpaid advocate for these kids. I establish a relationship with them and help make sure they’re being taken care of properly. If there’s something going on in the home and they don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone else about it, they can trust me enough to tell me.

“I usually visit them twice a month. I also meet with school counselors and others who are connected with these kids, and I go to court when they go to court.

“The judge puts a lot of stock in what I have to say about their welfare because he knows I’m there for their benefit. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

— Kaye Forrester Sneed

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