September Advocate Spotlight
Allie Rivera
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
"I was sworn in February of 2023, after learning of the opportunity from my sister in December 2022, who knew I wanted to foster children instead of having my own.”
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an advocate?
“Being able to be a listening ear for those who have not had anybody make the time to just hear them. Asking even the most trivial and mundane questions allows my foster youth to have a sense of normal connection and conversation that I believe many of us can take for granted.”
3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
“Do whatever you can to help your foster youth feel more relaxed. I was so focused on doing the right thing in the beginning that I feel my formality got in the way of my connection with my foster youth. Once I felt more confident and relaxed, I saw my youth open up more.”
Lena Sierocinski
Although Karney Stefan officially became a CASA Advocate in February of this year, her journey toward advocacy began many years earlier. While serving as the Executive Director of a foster care agency in Southern California for three and a half years, she witnessed firsthand the profound difference a dedicated advocate
