CASA volunteer Toby’s Story
Persistence
CASA volunteer Toby
Toby has been a CASA for 1 year for Winston, who has only been in the child welfare system for a year. Entering into care at a later age was a shock to Winston, and things with Toby started off difficult. Winston was depressed, wouldn’t speak, kept his hood on, and would not make eye contact. Communication was not easy, but Toby was committed. Visits started off awkward, but Toby kept at it.
Months passed, and when Winston’s birthday came up, Toby was able to get him several gift cards for his birthday through CASA. McDonald’s gift cards were a success – when the boy saw them, it was the first time Toby saw him smile.
More months passed, with things still difficult, but Toby still didn’t give up. In November, a new winter coat from the Open Door Store started to break the ice. For Christmas, CASA was able to go above and beyond thanks to a special grant to give the boy a new computer. This opened up the relationship. “He was so happy, so ecstatic,” says Toby.
Each month, Toby persisted. He would visit regularly and even made time to attend the boy’s basketball games. Over the course of building the relationship with his CASA child, Toby went to 10 out of 20 basketball games. No one asked him to, he just went – to show his support – to make that connection. And it worked. The boy will be playing in a tournament game, and instead of Toby showing up on his own, the boy reached out to invite Toby, asking him to please attend. To forge a relationship takes persistence. Persistence pays off.