Your gift can mean a child has a forever family…

In 2011, four siblings all under the age of 6 were removed from their home because of abuse and neglect and put in foster care. Family Services’ CASA program was asked to appoint one of its volunteers to advocate for the children and make sure they didn’t get lost in the system and suffer more abuse.

Eventually, three of the siblings were adopted. But the youngest boy, “Josh” stayed stuck in limbo, moving between foster homes and group homes for years. Although he had several opportunities for adoption, each fell through in the end. As you can imagine, he struggled significantly as a result.

By the time Josh was 17, everyone involved in his care was planning for him to stay in the system then “age out” at age 18. Well…everyone but his CASA volunteer.

Charged with the responsibility of fighting for what’s in his best interest, his CASA volunteer knew that what was best for Josh was a forever family. And so that’s what she fought for.

Ever heard of the term “dog with a bone”? That’s what CASA was when it came to finding a forever family for Josh. She would not drop it. She would not entertain the naysayers. She would not turn away from what was in his best interest.

In February 2025, at age 17 and sporting a smile, purple tuxedo, Josh was adopted by a loving family.
Without CASA, this adoption would not have happened! Over the 14 years Josh was in foster care, everyone had given up on the hopes of a happy ending.

On this day, there are over 530 children in foster care in Essex County, MA. Each one of those children deserves a CASA volunteer to fight for them. Your contribution is needed to make that happen. Please give today!