It was the horror that Kate Gibson saw on the face of her 9-year-old neighbor that started a change in how she thought about people who were victimized in life, and how that trauma could affect the rest of their lives.
“I’ve seen first-hand some of the problems that children face, and that doesn’t leave you,” she says, referring to her neighbors who were then foster parents. “It’s something that’s always been in my head and in my heart. That population of children has some incredibly special needs that are too easily overlooked by others. That’s how I found Voices for Children.”
Voices for Children is a nonprofit that conducts outreach, training and provides support for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers in San Diego and Riverside counties. These volunteers are matched with a child after completing application process, interviews, background check and other requirements. They get to know the child and meet with lawyers, social workers and others involved in that child’s case to ensure that the child’s needs are met and serve as a consistent and caring adult presence in their life. Voices for Children estimates that 3,500 San Diego children will spend time in foster care this year after being in the receiving end of abuse or neglect.
Gibson, who previously worked in special education as an instructional assistant, began volunteering as a CASA in 2018 and took some time to talk about her experience, her initial caregivers, and the lessons she learned about how to effectively advocate for children in vulnerable circumstances. (This interview was edited for length and clarity. For a longer version of this conversation, visit sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lisa-deaderick-staff.html.)
Q: How are some ways the CASA program supports children in foster care in San Diego?
A: I think education is probably one of the main ways in which CASAs can really dive in and be instrumental in their advocacy. Most of our kids don’t stay in one school very long because they change placements. The court tries to keep them in their school of origin, but sometimes that can be a 30- to 40-minute drive from where they were placed. This educational piece is so important for any child, but especially the children we deal with, because that gives them their freedom. If they can feel confident about their education, they may find some success. For most of our children, education is probably the best thing CASA can get involved in, right there with working on their emotional development. There are so many emotional issues, so much trauma that many of the children have suffered. Years and years of emotional trauma, so I think individual therapy is really important. It’s not always what the kids want, so it can be a long process at times. Then they start therapy, but may not really bond with their therapist. So, it is not the easiest thing to do. As a CASA, however, I think it’s important that we advocate for them and make sure they receive therapeutic services that they may not think they want or need.
Kate Gibson is a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) through Voices for Children, a nonprofit that trains volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who are in the foster care system.
Q: What have you learned about how best to advocate for young people who are in foster care?
A: First, manage expectations because no matter what it is, it will move slowly. It’s also about relationships. That’s the one thing I’ve really tried to do is not just build a relationship with the kids, but with the professionals involved in their cases so that we have good communication back and forth.
You also have to accept that things are not going to happen quickly. My younger case child was in a wheelchair and the van the foster family had, which had the wheelchair mechanism built in, was stolen from their driveway before Christmas a few years ago. I jumped in to deal with this and it took six months. When my older case child left San Pasqual Academy (a nursing home in Escondido), I was sitting in a meeting with her, where she was told all the things they would do to help her. leaving: furniture, computer, Internet access, such things. Due to no fault of the academy, after she left, she was given a new social worker and none of the things that were talked about in that meeting happened. It took us two years to straighten it out. Even with CASA, it lasted that long. So, manage expectations, wanting to listen to all the various professionals so that you have a good overview, and accepting that things will take time; those are the things I learned about good advocacy for those kids.
Q: To round up your story about the foster child your neighbors took care of, what did you do to get him to unlock the closet and get out?
A: We just sat and talked to him for 30 minutes, through the door. It was just being there and listening. At one point, we said, “Look, if it doesn’t work today, you can stay home, but we need you to come out and we need to talk about it.” His circumstances, whatever they were, at the young age of 9, should not be the things that define him for the rest of his life. I guess what I get back to all the time with the kids is that I have the opportunity to work with kids who are unique, bright, creative, and they deserve not to have their past circumstances define and even squash some of the dreams they have. In the case of my older case child, I tell her all the time that she is amazing. I’m just amazed at her because she grew up in so many malfunctions, and it would be so easy for her to follow that. Instead, she’ll say, “I’ll get a job,” and she’ll get a job. She’s really working on it, instead of saying, “Oh, poor me.” I do think it’s because there are people in her life who believe in her who care about her beyond the report they have to write, and that’s necessary.
What happens if you can’t afford a lawyer?
Legal Aid is a legal body that has been established to provide free legal aid and representation to people who cannot afford a lawyer but need one. … every person has the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to have a forensic doctor assigned by the state and at the state cost.
How can I pay for a lawyer without money? You could go to a non-profit organization or law school for free legal services. If you do not qualify according to the guidelines, then you can still find cheaper options or lawyers who are willing to take your case for free to fill their pro good quota.
What is a free lawyer called?
Because of good programs it helps poor people find volunteer lawyers who are willing to handle their cases for free. These programs are usually sponsored by state or local bar associations.
Is Pro Bono really free?
Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good”. Good work involves providing free services, rather than cash or goods, to those in need. There is a long tradition of good work in America, and the financial industry is part of that tradition.
How does pro bono work?
Good work is free legal advice or representation provided by legal professionals in the public interest. This can be to individuals, charities or community groups who cannot pay for legal aid and cannot receive legal aid or any other means of funding.
How are lawyers paid for good? Usually, for good reason lawyers are not paid. … With a possible fee agreement, a lawyer can be paid only if they win a case or get a settlement, in which case the attorney will receive a pre-agreed percentage. This does not always require a jury award.
Is pro bono really free?
Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good”. Good work involves providing free services, rather than cash or goods, to those in need. There is a long tradition of good work in America, and the financial industry is part of that tradition.
Why do some lawyers work pro bono?
Provides an Opportunity for Cooperation. Along with opportunities to practice in places outside of their daily work, for good cases also give lawyers the opportunity to work with other lawyers in their firms they may not be familiar with. This creates relationships – and opportunities for the future.
What is it called when a defendant represents himself?
Judges and lawyers typically refer to defendants who represent themselves by the terms & quot; pro se & quot; or & quot; pro per, & quot; the latter being taken by & quot; in person. & quot; Both & quot; for if & quot; and & quot; professional by & quot; comes from Latin and basically means & quot; for one’s own person. & quot;
Can a defendant represent himself? The Rules recognize the right of an individual to represent himself in any case in which he is a party. The Rules state that a party may conduct his proceedings in person or with the assistance of a lawyer, and that his appearance must be either personal or by a duly authorized member of the Bar.
What is it called when you represent yourself in court?
This is called “proceding pro se” which means you are representing yourself in the Court, and you are called “pro se prosecutor”. A civil case, which is the only kind of case you can start in federal court, is different from a criminal case that can only be started by government officials.
What is it called when someone represents themselves?
Pro se legal representation (/ ËŒproÊŠ ˈsiË / or / ËŒproÊŠ ˈseɪ /) comes from Latin pro se, meaning “for oneself” or “in the name of oneself”, which in modern law means to argue on one’s own in a legal proceeding as a defendant or accuser. in civil cases or accused in criminal proceedings.
When a defendant represents himself or herself this is known as?
Judges and lawyers typically refer to defendants who represent themselves with the terms “professional” or “professional by,” the latter being taken from “personal person.” Both “pro se” and “pro per” come from Latin and basically mean “for one’s own person”.
What is it called when you represent yourself?
The term “for himself” is Latin, meaning “for himself” or “in his name.” It is a practice where individuals represent themselves in pending legal proceedings before administrative bodies or courts. … An example of pro if representation represents yourself or your business in court without a lawyer.