Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset Hunterdon & Warren

CASA has been with “Tameka” since 2008. After nine short-term and unsuccessful placements she was placed in a shelter for adolescents and began to turn her life around.  She very gradually started setting goals for herself and making small strides towards achieving those goals. She was timid, shy, quiet and resistant to help. Over the years that slowly began to change as well and she grew a little more confident each day.  Her CASA, Mary Ann, has been with her for 5.5 years now, providing the only consistent source of support and encouragement in her life.

Over the years, Tameka’s CASA team has attended her high school graduation, has been a spectator at her sporting events, and continues to be her biggest cheerleader. Today she is a sophomore in college, living in a dorm.  She is very active in athletic and campus life. She was recently selected as a Student Ambassador and also to be a member of the Athletic Advisory Committee.  Tameka plans to graduate college and pursue her goals of being a police officer. Being a part of her life for the past several years, watching her grow into a confident, strong woman has been a true pleasure.

Tameka's story illustrates the power of one - one broken family, one caring adult, and one child in need whose life is immeasurably better because someone saw that she was important, she was valuable, and she was worth investing time, energy, and care.  Every child should feel that way, but sadly not every child does.  Our volunteers work to serve the one who needs them most.