How a CASA Volunteer and a Love of Plants Helped One Youth Find Her Path
Katherine is a 20-year-old youth transitioning out of foster care, and she finds solace in plants and nature. Her middle name, Lilly, reflects her love for green spaces and flowers. But Katherine’s life hasn’t been as serene as the New York City gardens she adores.
Her journey through the foster care system has been marked by challenges, from finding stable housing to navigating the nuances of young adulthood without the steady presence of family. When asked if she is used to people in her life coming and going without leaving a significant impact, Katherine replied: “100%, always.”
One person, however, has been a consistent source of encouragement: her CASA-NYC advocate, Sarah.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers work to ensure that young people involved in the child welfare system have their needs met, and their rights protected. Sarah was assigned to be Katherine’s advocate after CASA-NYC was appointed to her case by a family court judge in February. She quickly learned about Katherine’s love for plants. In May, Sarah took Katherine to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. “I still show my friends our videos from that day,” Katherine said. “We were sitting by the waterfall, talking about everything—important things. It was so beautiful.”
"No child that age should be jumping through 20 hoops a day just to have the basic support most of us had growing up.”
–Sarah, CASA-NYC volunteer advocate
Despite the systemic barriers, Sarah has remained steadfast, and said she often wears the hat of an investigative journalist to advocate for Katherine’s well-being. “Even in weeks where I don’t feel like we’re making much progress, I know I’m taking a load off her plate so she can focus on what’s important,” Sarah said. “No child that age should be jumping through 20 hoops a day just to have the basic support most of us had growing up.”
That support has been life-changing for Katherine, especially during a period of prolonged illness. At her most vulnerable, she found herself alone in an emergency room at 5 o’clock in the morning. Sarah arrived within hours and stayed by her side until she was discharged the following morning.
“She hugged me and told me, ‘Just let it out. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get you the help you need,’” Katherine recalled. During Katherine’s recovery, Sarah went above and beyond, buying groceries and providing constant comfort. “I remember she was asking me, ‘Do you want pineapples? Do you want seltzer water?’ Whatever I needed, she helped me do it when I couldn’t do it myself.”
Recently, Katherine applied for a youth fellowship position, and Sarah helped her prepare with interview practice and a standout cover letter. “She’s so qualified and capable,” Sarah said with pride. Katherine expressed her gratitude, saying, “She’s been such a vibrant, positive person in my life. Whenever I’m struggling, she always says the same thing: ‘You got this, Lilly.’”
For Sarah, calling Katherine by her middle name is a small but significant gesture, a way to acknowledge who she is beneath the challenges she has faced. And for Lilly, this new name is a reminder of the beauty and strength she embodies—just like the flowers she loves so dearly.
“Katherine is who I was, all the things I’ve been through,” she said. “Lilly is who I am now.”
Learn more about the impact of CASA-NYC and make a donation to support youth just like Lilly. Every amount makes a difference in the lives of children and youth across New York City.