Kareen Shapiro is in no rush. She moves at the pace of whomever she is supporting, knowing that tiny steps can lead to significant progress.
Sometimes, even the tiny steps can be daunting and difficult. However, Kareen is skilled at navigating these through her background as a social worker and through the support of her family.
She became a CASA Volunteer in 2022 and worked with two young girls, who she still thinks about all the time. Kareen’s involvement in the case had a slow start, as the mother could be difficult to schedule visits with.
“I had to be patient with their mom and let her lead the way,” said Kareen. “She had to build trust in her own time, and she eventually learned to trust me. She would call me in times of crisis. I would redirect her, but it always said a lot that she chose to call me.”
In Kareen’s newest case, she continues to navigate her relationships with patience and care. She is assigned to a case that involves a 10-year-old boy. He is non-verbal and has several specialized needs. Kareen was nervous to accept the case at first.
Rather than walk away from this child and his challenges, Kareen began taking small steps toward him. She shows up every week, watches Coco Melon with him, throws a ball back and forth, and observes his behavior. Through these regular visits, Kareen has made major strides in understanding the youth’s needs.
“I am the one who sees him most frequently, so there is a lot of communication between myself and the team about what needs to happen for him,” said Kareen. “Since he is non-verbal, he can’t really advocate for himself.”
Kareen has stepped up in several situations to speak on behalf of the youth’s best interests. She advocated for changes in his medications, she advocated for a placement change, and she even drove him to Colorado Springs to meet a potential placement provider when no one else was available to do so.
None of Kareen’s advocacy would be possible without such mindful movements. She does not panic. She shows up, she meets people where they need her to, and she walks alongside them at their own speed.
“When I visit my assigned CASA youth now, he recognizes me. He’ll rub my arm or give me a smile. He’ll sit next to me and put his head on my shoulder,” said Kareen. “It’s the small moments adding up that make a difference in children’s lives. Looking back on this case, I can see that my work has made a difference in his life, hopefully for the better.”
Recent Comments