As summer unfolds, youth in our community are facing more challenges than ever, especially those who are part of LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. Every day, our Advocates show up with open hearts, listening, supporting, and standing by their side. These young people continue to inspire us with their resilience, determination, and hope for the future.

Michele McKee always knew she wanted to work with children. She once planned to use her teaching credential in the classroom, but life took her in another direction. Still, the desire to support young people never left her. After retiring from a long career in accounting and working part-time at Recovery Café San Jose, she knew it was time to follow through on something that had been in her heart for years. “If I’m not going to do it now,” she had said to herself, “it’s never going to happen.” So she signed up to become a CASA Advocate and has never looked back.

When Jordan was told he couldn’t attend prom because of his past, his CASA stepped in. But here’s the thing—CASA could only open that door because Jordan did the work to turn his life around. From facing multiple charges to closing his case, sealing his record, and graduating high school, this teen proved what’s possible with support and self-determination.