Stephen McCord’s journey with CASA began with a desire to gain a deeper understanding of the foster care system when he and his wife began looking into adoption. What he found solidified his desire to help foster children, “I became a CASA nearly 15 years ago because I wanted to understand the foster care system and play a positive role in the life of a foster child. The experience of foster care is so different from mine, in which I had siblings and two stable parents. I thought moving homes once during my childhood was an ordeal.
Foster kids can move several times in a year, tossing their belongings back into a garbage bag each time. I’ve found that the appreciation they have for a stable, caring relationship through those confusing and uncertain times is beyond measure.”
Stephen and his wife did end up giving a loving and stable home to their fourteen year-old daughter, who they adopted from the foster care system as an infant. But he didn’t stop there… he’s been a CASA ever since. “I saw CASA as a great way to provide support to children who need it the most and also extend the reach of my own family.”
Aside from CASA, Stephen leads an extremely busy life. He is a water engineer and owns his own company, McCord Environmental. He is on the board of directors of the Putah Creek Council, President of the Lake Management Society, a host family for UC Davis’ Humphrey Fellows program, a soccer coach, and participates in the guardian scholar mentor program which services foster children who are now attending college.
Despite his busy professional and volunteer activities, Stephen has kept his work as a CASA a priority since his training over a decade ago, “Foster children have many adult professionals in their lives but CASAs play a unique role. They provide personal support, friendship, and consistency, in addition to important advocacy work. I often hear from my CASA children years after their case ends. Those calls are extremely powerful. When I get them, I know I’ve made an impact.”
In addition to being a CASA volunteer, Stephen supports CASA financially whenever he can. “Giving to CASA is a multiplier. Each staff member supports a lot of CASAs and they are incredibly helpful.”
Speaking of staff support, Stephen reflects on his training very positively. “I am not a social worker and had zero training in such issues before becoming a CASA but I always felt supported by the staff. They were helpful and gave me all the resources I needed to confidently advocate for foster children.”
As for the future, Stephen looks forward to continuing to support foster children and advocate on their behalf. “I can’t imagine it not being a part of my life.”
