Out of all the Winnie the Pooh characters, Catherine Winter most closely relates to Christoper Robin.
“I am the planner. I am pragmatic,” she said. “What steps do we need to take? Who do we talk to?”
The question around who Catherine identifies with from Winne the Pooh was posed eight years ago during her training with Advocates for Children CASA.
After some self-reflection years later, it seems that Catherine’s shared traits with the story’s supportive and adventurous leader have led her to make a significant impact in the lives of several young people.
Catherine spent five years volunteering as a Dependency and Neglect CASA before finding what she describes as her true niche within the organization. In October 2022, Catherine began her journey as a Juvenile Delinquency CASA.
“I am not a warm and fuzzy little kid person,” said Catherine. “My kids would back me up on that. I appreciate that the youth on Juvenile Delinquency cases are old enough to have conversations about what is working for them, what’s not, and what they need.”
Catherine has found her calling as a Juvenile Delinquency CASA. In fact, she feels so strongly tied to this work that she has taken on two cases at once.
“My only complaint about CASA work was that it wasn’t enough,” said Catherine. “I wanted more than one case.”
Now, Catherine works with a 14-year-old and an 18-year-old. Although she moved away from her work as a Dependency and Neglect CASA, she finds herself reflecting on that experience often.
“A lot of my D&N experience involved supporting parents in taking care of themselves to meet the needs of their kids,” explained Catherine. “Now, I feel like I have wound back the clock as a JD CASA. If these young adults have families one day, hopefully this experience can send them and their children down a different path.”
As Catherine has walked alongside two young people on two different cases, she has been able to hone in on their goals, their strengths, and has helped them navigate the next steps they plan to take in life.
After writing a court report about the 18-year-old, Catherine shared it with him. There were no concerns listed in the report. Catherine wanted to let the young adult know, and she asked him if he had spent time reflecting on his progress.
He said, “Yes, but why are you telling them this? I’m not doing it for them, I’m doing it all for me.”
Catherine shared this story with a smile, her pride and respect for the young adult written all over her face. While he made progress that was fueled by his own determination, Catherine stayed by his side throughout the adventure – with a sense of unwavering loyalty that can only be described as Christopher Robin-esque.
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