When Angela Meusel moved to Davis, some friends gave her the Davis Enterprise as a welcome gift. “I kept reading about the opioid crisis and all the kids ending up in foster care because of it and wanted to do something to help. Then I read one of Tracy’s columns about being a CASA, and it seemed like a good fit.”
Angela has had her CASA child, an elementary school aged boy, since March. “At first he wasn’t sure how he felt about having me come see him each week, but then we started playing at the park and talking, and he was really excited about having me in his life.”
As their visits continued, Angela started suggesting new activities that her CASA child was less familiar with. “At first, he just wanted to go to the park or a fast food restaurant. But after we knew each other better and he trusted me more, he agreed to go to the library together. It was awesome to see how much he enjoyed looking at new books.”
Since then, Angela has also taken him to a local art museum and the beach. “Taking a child to see new things seems so simple but to him it means a lot.”
To those thinking about becoming a CASA volunteer, Angela says to apply. “You don’t have to wait until you are retired or for the exact ‘right time.’ It truly will become a natural and enjoyable part of your life that you will look forward to each week.”
