From Foster Care to Finding Joy: A Youth’s Perspective

Hi everyone, my name is Courtney, and I was placed in foster care for about 6 years.

My favorite song is “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus. If you ever have time, you should listen to it. It’s all about perseverance, growth, and finding strength even when the road isn’t easy. The line, “It’s not about how fast I get there, it’s the climb,” really defines my life.

Growing up in the child welfare system — going from foster homes to group homes — I always had a big support team, but I never really had that one person I could sit and talk to, like a mentor. One day, I asked my DYFS worker if I could have a mentor, and that’s when she found CASA.

And when she found CASA, I found Joy. ❤️

Joy was my CASA worker, and from our very first conversation, I knew I was going to grow to love her. She helped me find me. We built a bond that was real — I could go to her for anything. She always had faith in me and always spoke so highly of me. There was never a dull moment between us. We laughed together, had fun together, and shared so many memories.

Joy was actually the first person I shared the news of my pregnancy. From that moment on, she never left my side. When I found out, I didn’t know what my next step was — I didn’t feel stable enough to have a baby, but I knew I didn’t want to give up. Joy supported me through it all. She even planned a surprise baby shower for me and helped me get everything I needed for my baby.

When I went into labor, I wanted to do it with no regrets and because of Joy and CASA, I knew my baby would have everything he needed. Now, my son Jakari is one, going on two, and he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. From his laugh to his smile to watching him reach all his milestones — he’s my motivation. He reminds me every day why I keep pushing forward.

There were times I doubted myself, but Joy never did. She always reminded me that I was strong, capable, and deserving of everything good that came my way.

Even though I’ve aged out of the system, I’ve accomplished so much. I turned 22 on October 26th and I can proudly say I’ve been living in my own apartment for a year now. I’m currently in nursing school — something I’m so proud of — and my goal is to graduate and then go back to college to become an LPN. I’m doing an amazing job as a mother, and I know that Joy and CASA played a huge part in helping me believe I could do it.

Growing up in foster care, I didn’t know what CASA was — not until I got one. And now I believe CASA needs to be heard about more. CASA needs to be in more places, and more youth should have the chance to experience what it’s like to have someone like Joy in their corner. CASA changes lives, I know because it changed mine.

For me, having a CASA worker was one of the best gifts the foster care system ever gave me.

Thank you. 💙 From the bottom of my heart, I just want to say thank you for 40 years of giving youth like me hope, support, and a chance to climb.