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Welcome, CASA Tribe, to our blog dedicated to National Adoption Month! Throughout the month of November, we celebrate the beautiful act of adoption and honor the families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need. National Adoption Month is a time to raise awareness about the importance of adoption, highlight the joys and challenges of the adoption process, and recognize the love and dedication of adoptive families. Adoption is a life-changing journey that brings families together and creates forever homes for children in need. It provides children with stability, love, and a sense of belonging, while giving parents the opportunity to nurture and support a child in their care. Whether through domestic adoption, international adoption, foster care adoption, or kinship adoption, each adoption story is unique and special. National Adoption Month is also a time to recognize the importance of supporting birth parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children throughout their journey. Join us as we celebrate National Adoption Month and honor the families who have chosen to open their hearts and homes through adoption. Together, we can raise awareness about the joys of adoption, advocate for children in need of forever families, and create a brighter future for all. Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts, adoption success stories, and resources for families considering adoption. Thank you for joining Brightside in celebrating National Adoption Month!
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This role marks a new chapter in my career. My background has always been in the school system, where I began my journey to balance work with being home for my children. What started as a practical decision blossomed into a genuine passion. I found immense joy in making a positive impact on our future generations, which has been a driving force for me. However, I realized it was time for a change—to seek a role that would be even more fulfilling. Stepping out of my comfort zone was daunting, but I was determined to continue my passion for supporting kids. When I found Brightside, I knew I had found my place. The passion, drive, and dedication from my coworkers to advocate for our families and ensure the success of every child is truly inspiring. It’s an honor to be part of such a compassionate team. I look forward to many more years at Brightside, where I aim to make a meaningful impact on the families and children we serve. Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community!
Pull into the parking lot, swipe your card to get in the building, sign in the daily log, grab ice for your iced coffee from the machine, ride the elevator up to the 5th floor, swipe your card to enter the wing where Brightside is housed, unlock your office door, turn on the lights, power up your laptop, check email. Or… Pull up to the courthouse parking lot, go through security, sit and wait for the CASA to arrive, chat with attorneys, case managers, sheriff’s deputies, and others, wait for the case to be called, enter the courtroom. These are the two typical ways I start my day as a CASA Coordinator. From there, the day can go in any direction. You never know who might stop by the office, who will call with a concern, if a child will be moved unexpectedly, which attorney needs questions answered, or if a case manager needs help filling a child's need. Some days are smooth sailing, while others are filled with surprises. That unpredictability is one of the things I love about being a CASA Coordinator. You never know how your day will unfold, and it's rarely monotonous. I grew up in a family that took in foster children, so I saw the system from the safety of my home, with parents who loved and supported my sister and me—and who also had love and room to spare for children who didn’t have the privilege of a stable home. As a teenager, I didn’t fully understand how fortunate I was. I remember being frustrated when a three-year-old would raid my room while I was gone, and I’m sure I yelled about how unfair it was. But I had no idea what true unfairness was. Unfair was that three-year-old, taken away from her family and everything she knew, dropped into a house with strangers, and at least one resentful teenager who desperately wished for a lock on her door. Unfair was the one-year-old who was dipped in hot water, suffered severe burns from the knees down, and was placed in an unfamiliar home where her wounds had to be cleaned and dressed daily. Unfair was the little boy who had to spend the week in an unfamiliar place because the people he had finally gotten used to went on vacation. While I want my position to be interesting and never monotonous, the children we serve need consistency. Stability and a routine are essential to a child's sense of safety. If they’re constantly moved from place to place, they can’t gain the security they need. Think back to when you were a child. Now imagine someone you’ve never met comes to your home and takes you away from everything you know. They drop you off somewhere with strangers, in a strange house, in a strange bed, with no idea when you’ll see your home, your things, or your family again. This is the reality for the children we advocate for, and for some, it’s even more traumatic—with police involvement or happening in the middle of the night. They have to change schools, leave all their friends without notice, and have no idea when or if they will return. It’s hard for a child to understand why they can’t stay with the people they love in the home they know. CASA volunteers play a crucial role in providing stability during a child’s time in foster care. Case managers, attorneys, judges, transporters, and foster homes come and go, but the CASA is there for the entire journey, advocating and supporting the child. I am so honored to work with these amazing people who volunteer their time and energy to be a source of safety and support for these children.
My journey as an intern at Brightside has been an incredible experience. I joined Brightside through a partnership between Berea College and the Shepard Higher Education Consortium on Poverty, which offered me this two-month internship. It has turned out to be a deeply enriching experience, offering me valuable insights and growth. From the beginning, I encountered several challenges. Tasks like planning meals and grocery shopping were new and somewhat daunting. These responsibilities initially felt overwhelming, but the supportive environment at Brightside made a big difference. My colleagues have been incredibly helpful, providing guidance and encouragement as I navigated these new tasks. Their support has turned these challenges into learning opportunities, helping me contribute meaningfully to the organization’s mission. A significant part of my internship involves understanding the foster care system. Brightside, in collaboration with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), plays a crucial role in supporting children and families within this system in Savannah. Observing court sessions has been particularly eye-opening. I have had the opportunity to see Judge Cole and Judge Formey in action as they lead the A.N.C.H.O.R. court and HOPE court, respectively. Their dedication and the way they handle cases are truly inspiring. Witnessing their work has given me a deep appreciation for the complexities of the foster care system and the critical role these courts play in supporting families and children. Exploring Savannah has also been a highlight of my internship. The city’s rich culture and beautiful scenery provide a wonderful backdrop for my stay. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the beach and exploring River Street. These activities offer a refreshing break from my internship responsibilities and allow me to experience the local charm and beauty of Savannah. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is working closely with Zelonia on a new initiative called Brighter Futures. This program, still in development, aims to support students aging out of foster care. Being involved in this project is particularly fulfilling for me because I am passionate about youth development and support. Contributing to a program that will provide essential resources and guidance to young people transitioning into adulthood is both inspiring and meaningful. Reflecting on my time at Brightside, I can confidently say that this internship has been a great decision. I set out to learn about nonprofit operations and the foster care system, and this experience has exceeded my expectations. The knowledge and skills I am gaining are invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the support and opportunities provided by Brightside. This internship is not only enhancing my professional abilities but also fostering significant personal growth. I am excited to continue applying what I’ve learned and to make a positive impact in the future.
With the support of my college and its partnership with the Shepard Higher Education Consortium on Poverty, I was chosen as a Brightside intern! I have been working in the office since the 3rd of June and so far have had so many new experiences and learned so much. Before arriving at Brightside, I knew that I wanted to work with children. My ultimate goal is to become a lawyer; my experiences here in Brightside are aiding me in that direction. As an intern in a new city, I didn't know much about why Brightside is so important to this community and how important this work is. As a result, one of the very first things I did as an intern was attend a conference to learn more about the city of Savannah and how poverty affects a large population of the area. This conference addressed the issues Savannah faces and introduced me to some community partners who are working to mitigate the negative effects of poverty. This was a great opportunity to understand the different connections and communities built around the city to help support children and families. Furthermore, I have attended several court hearings including a permanency hearing, a H.O.P.E. court hearing, and an A.N.C.H.O.R. court hearing, and aim to attend more. Through these experiences, I have learned a lot about the judges, their specializations, and the process of how hearings work. With these incredible opportunities, I realized that I wanted to work more closely in the H.O.P.E. court field. Currently, I am working with the H.O.P.E. court program manager on getting social media safety classes for the children to get more involved. However, working at Brightside has given me more than just work experience. It has been just as personally rewarding in and out of the office. Not only is the office environment extremely friendly but the staff all work together to ensure that I have a great time in the city outside of work. I have had so many new personal experiences I never thought I would have gotten before such as tickets to see a Savannah Bananas game, learn how to paddleboard, and even attend a large networking event to build some connections with other interns in the area. All of the Brightside staff members work to create a comfortable and joyous environment that I love. We go out to eat for lunch as a team and even celebrate successes and address areas we can improve upon together. The first week as an intern was spent solely on ensuring that I was well integrated into the office and one-on-one meetings with almost every person in the office were held to learn more about the different roles and responsibilities as well as to learn more about each other. Ultimately, for potential future interns who are considering interning at Brightside. This is an incredible opportunity that will allow you to grow in more ways than one. It exposes you to real-world issues that are often overlooked and also allows you to dive into more than one sector of the office. You will always have something to do and everyone on the team will make sure you have a great time in Savannah. Thank you, Brightside, for this amazing experience!
When I woke up on my first day at CASA, I had strong back-to-school vibes. Transitions are fascinating and they characterize our life as children. As we become older, we go through the grades, each one serving as a rite of passage toward adulthood. Those transitions are steady and comfortable. After that, life becomes less predictable. Being a working adult and making changes is very personal. Our experience of transitions is influenced by a variety of elements. Whatever our "why" for making a change, we need to get over the uncertainty of what follows next. I've previously moved into thrilling new phases of my life. I'm capable of doing it again. It was unsettling for me to go to a new job, but I'm happy to have a great team that is encouraging. My teammates have been more than glad to clarify topics, answer concerns, and work with me; in addition, my director has shown that she is willing to assist me in any way possible to ensure that I feel comfortable. Even though I have trouble asking for help, I know that it is there when I need it and I am very grateful for that. As time goes on, I will be able to reflect back on how far I've come.
I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into when I first signed up to be a CASA volunteer. I had become a mandated reporter, completed the weekly training courses, participated in the online modules, observed multiple hearings, asked Mandy a million questions, and written a few practice court reports. But the truth is, you never truly know what you’re doing until you actually do it. A little over a year after I was assigned my first case, here’s what I’ve learned so far: 1. The turnover that the Department of Children and Family Services experiences is no joke. I was warned, but was not prepared for how many caseworkers DFCS manages to churn through. The children in my case have now had more caseworkers than foster placements, and the number of placements has not been a small number. The time from when one caseworker leaves to when the next is assigned can be one of the most difficult - if you think your social worker is difficult to get ahold of, wait until you try to get ahold of their supervisor. A CASA typically has one case. That supervisor is likely overseeing forty. 2. No one can see the future, even the professionals. The first time a children’s attorney and then a DFCS worker offered their shared professional opinion to me of what steps were likely to be taken by the court and whether reunification was possible with each parent, I took their insight to be a shining guide that told me exactly what to expect. It only took one drug test and one caseworker change for the case to take another direction entirely. That same attorney was the very one to publicly suggest a very different opinion as clear fact than what she had previously declared to be the path forward. Even the paid professionals with years of experience do not have a crystal ball, and their opinions and predictions aren’t written in stone any more than mine. 3. The only person who is making lasting decisions is the judge. A foster parent can tell you all about what they are or are not willing to do. A case worker can say anything they like about what their next steps are. An attorney can cite past precedent until they’re blue in the face. At the end of the day, the judge’s orders are the only decisions that have staying power, and the judge can undo any other action anyone else takes at any time. 4. A judge makes the orders, but in the time between hearings there is no one to enforce those orders. Frequent friendly reminders are often necessary. When in the courtroom, a judge’s decree feels like law (for good reason, since it is). But the minute everyone leaves the courtroom, there is often no one breathing over their shoulder to ensure those orders are actually followed, and especially that they are followed any sooner than two days before the next hearing. This is where you come in. Breathing over shoulders is a CASA specialty! Just be sure to thank them when they do follow through to maintain good relationships. 5. The children on your case will bond with you. Don’t let them down. Prepare to be greeted with hugs, and if your visits to be spaced too far apart, for the children to notice. Nothing will tug your heartstrings more than a child telling you, “I haven’t seen you in a long time, I thought you might not come visit me again.” Remember that to a child, weeks feel like years. You are likely the only single person on your case who is visiting regularly over the full period of this time in their life. Consistency is hugely important. 6. The parents on a case can be both victims and perpetrators. So can the children. The cycle of abuse is real. Even a child can be an abuser. Watch and protect your children from abuse from all directions, and be vocal about making sure their mental health needs are being met. Trauma is hard to process at any age - processing it alone when your brain is developing and when you are just learning who you are as a person is next to impossible. Get them help. 7. Everyone is much more cooperative in the final weeks before a court date. Use that time pressure to your advantage. A court date is a deadline - clear your schedule as best you can for the two weeks before each hearing and take advantage of being moved up on everyone’s priority list. 8. It is essential that there are no holes in your CASA report. Investigate thoroughly & investigate early. The CASA report covers every possible area of a child’s life on purpose. Use it to guide your investigation early and often, and not just in the weeks before a court date. Medical offices are not always easy to get information from - just because the children in your case appear to be in good health and don’t have a history of medical needs doesn’t mean you don’t need to follow up that they actually attended their scheduled well child checks. Just because they’ve historically done well in school doesn’t mean you should only request their grades right before court. Stay on top of each of the areas in the report so that when it comes time to speak in court, you can give information on not only a problem if it arises but also the steps that have already been taken towards a solution. 9. Keeping up with someone else’s life - especially the lives of a family experiencing foster care, situations that are always complicated - is a full time job. Use your resources to avoid burnout. Your CASA coordinator is there to support and assist you. If a caseworker is not replying to you, see if your coordinator has an adjacent phone number or can pull some friendly strings to put your case back on the front burner. Ask for help where you need it. Offer to assist your social worker where possible - you can request medical records for them, forward report cards when you receive them, keep them updated on any news you receive on your child visits - but don’t bite off more than you can chew. If you can’t do anything extra that month, do not offer. 10. Maintain a support network. A necessity of being a CASA is being privy to some information about these children’s lives that will often be sad, draining, and difficult to hear about. Because of the rules of confidentiality, you are not able to discuss your case with anyone outside the system, no matter how trustworthy or good a secret keeper or advice giver your partner or mom or best friend may be. The best way around this is to make a CASA friend. If that proves difficult, recruit an existing member of your support network to be a CASA! CASA always needs more volunteers, and you’ll be able to support each other through it.
 My name is Brianna and I am the Development Intern at Brightside Advocacy! I am studying English at Georgia Southern University and this is my last semester. Earlier last year, I received the opportunity to join this amazing team. You might be wondering, “What can an English major do at Brightside?” I have an answer, "I can do a lot." During the last few months, I have had the chance to work with the wonderful Brightside team and learn all about the development side of this non-profit. As the Development Intern, I have experienced all the work that goes into planning an annual fundraiser - like Dancing with the Savannah Stars - to make sure it is a success each year. Over the last few weeks, I have also gotten the opportunity to help manage Brightside’s social media channels. I am thrilled to have this opportunity and share all that Brightside does with and for our community. Make sure to follow our Instagram @brightsideadvocacy and Facebook at Brightside Child & Family Advocacy - I am so honored to work with Brightside and spread their incredible mission!
 Hello Brightside Community, It is with excitement and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new Program Director for The Bright House! As I step into this role, I'm filled with a sense of purpose and mission that comes from being part of a community that stands for the nurturing of children and fortifying families. My name is Claudia Williams, and I'm eager to share a bit about my journey and the road ahead with you. Growing up amidst family and cultural challenges, I've witnessed the transformative power of safe and loving homes, making Brightside's mission deeply personal for me. My career journey has led me through roles in national and global nonprofits and three churches, each experience shaping my conviction about the transformative power of community engagement and purpose-driven programs. My leadership style and my approach to program development is rooted in collaboration and the belief that effective programs are born from the synergy of people, processes, and a clear understanding of community needs. But this work is not just about programs; it's about people. As I join you on this mission, I am committed to active collaboration. I am here not only as a Program Director but also as a partner. I look forward to meeting each of you, hearing your stories, and working hand-in-hand to make a lasting impact. To that end, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out to me at: [email protected]. I’m always down for lunch or a cup of coffee and conversation. I'm genuinely thrilled to contribute to Brightside's remarkable mission. Here's to navigating new horizons together! About The Author
 Given I am a Golden Girls fan, I have always wanted to start a story like this: Picture It: Savannah 2020. The world (literally the whole world) felt like a bleak place. The Covid-19 pandemic was ravaging communities from Boston to Beijing, and the news coverage showing stories of families who lost loved ones was almost too much to take. Being someone who felt a bit hopeless during this awful time, I was looking for something I could do-some action that would make me feel a little more hopeful by contributing positively to my community. While I was recovering from having Covid in October 2020 my friend sent me a link to Savannah CASA, and they were advertising a need for more CASAs. Up until that point, I had never heard of Savannah CASA. However, as I read about the program and how CASAs provide advocacy to children in foster care, the national news was showing a story about 2 children whose parents passed away due to Covid-19 complications. Just like that, they were orphans and put into foster care with no family able to take care of them. I couldn’t help but think at that moment - this doesn’t seem like a coincidence. Whether you believe in a higher power or signs or “the universe”, moments like this are worth paying attention to. So, I did, and I signed up to become a CASA. Now looking back when I started my CASA training 2 years ago, that version of me couldn’t have fathomed how much joy, purpose, and hope I would feel now - hope that I could make positive change happen to people in my community who need it most. By providing life-changing advocacy to children in foster care, I in turn had life-changing experiences. I helped a teenage boy be able to trust adult men again, through speaking with him every day for 4 months and improving his jump shot. I helped that same teenage boy get ready for a school dance, and saw him say “I didn’t know I could look this good” when he wore a suit for the first time. I then saw that same teenage boy receive a standing ovation when he received a scholarship and said “I have come so far, and you helped me get here”. Moments like these will stay with me for the rest of my life, and I have that amazing teenage boy and Brightside Child and Family Advocacy to thank for it. I believe in the phenomenal power of this organization. Not only because of the incredible work the staff do on behalf of children in foster care, but also for the amazing experiences CASA volunteers get to be part of helping children in foster care. I believe in this organization so much; so much that I am putting my very mediocre dance skills on display by participating in the 2024 Dancing with Savannah Stars fundraiser . On May 3rd, I will be showing all the joy, purpose, and hope I have gained over these past two years on stage at Victory North to raise money so Brightside can continue and grow their spectacular programs. I hope you will join me that night (you can buy tickets or donate here) , and hope that you may even consider becoming a CASA yourself. Trust me - it will bring you so much joy, give you purpose you didn’t know you needed, and allow yourself to feel more hopeful about our future world. About The Author Bob Crimian is a devoted CASA volunteer celebrating two years of service this year. His passion for for his community is shown thoroughly in his consistent efforts to be a voice for children in foster care. This year Bob has chosen to take his efforts a step further by becoming a contestant on Brightside's 16th Annual, Dancing With Savannah Stars.
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