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Nominated as a CASA/LA Essential History Volunteer of the Year Nominee last year, Lora Kurtenbach has been a valuable part of our organization since 2020. Read on for her experiences so far as an advocate.

What inspired you to start volunteering and how long have you volunteered?

I had been volunteering with another LA-based organization for several years when I decided I wanted to try something new. As I reevaluated where to volunteer next, two things guided my search: 1) I wanted to help children, and 2) it had to focus on supporting my Los Angeles community. So, at the beginning of 2020, I began my research and fine-tuned my involvement goals about how I wanted to give back.

I’m an extrovert and a hands-on person when it comes to giving back, preferring to be out in the community over just donating. I saw a commercial on Hulu about CASA of LA, did some additional research, attended an in-person training, and was immediately hooked. I’ve now been a CASA for five years, during which I’ve completed three Essential History cases and am currently working on my second traditional CASA case.

Can you describe a moment when you realized your work was making a difference?

About six months into my first case with an 8-year-old youth, it hit me: I was making a difference. It wasn’t some momentous breakthrough that I often daydreamed about while stuck in traffic. Instead, it was a more nuanced, yet equally profound one. My youth had emotional and behavioral issues. After an especially rough week, he told his foster parent he wanted to see his CASA. That was me! I’m not going to lie – I may have teared up a smidge when I heard that. 

He may not have remembered my name at the time, but he did know that whenever I picked him up, our routine would be the same—McDonald’s to go, head to a local park to play ninjas and football, draw cartoons, and feed the geese french fries—with one last stop at the Family Dollar or Rite Aid for a small treat on our way home. He didn’t have to compete for attention, worry about school, or getting into trouble. He could just unwind and be a kid.

What do you hope to achieve or see change through your continued volunteering?

Beyond supporting and advocating for foster youth, I hope to help change the misconceptions people often have about children in the dependency system. Many assume these kids must have done something wrong to be there — which simply isn’t true.

I also want to raise awareness about how overwhelmed the LA dependency system is. Attorneys, social workers, and judges often manage far more cases than they should, making it easy for a youth’s needs to fall through the cracks. A CASA helps ensure that doesn’t happen.

How do you balance your CASA responsibilities with other aspects of your life?

Balancing CASA responsibilities with my personal and professional life is different for every case.

When I supported an elementary-aged youth, I blocked off time during the weekdays to contact professionals when they were available, especially school teachers, administrators, after-school programs, and doctors or therapists. I also made sure to touch base with their foster parent every other week to see how the youth was faring in between visits.

Now, I’m supporting a non-minor dependent, which is very different. They have their own phone, and I communicate directly with them rather than through a foster parent. Early on, I try to set clear boundaries — like not responding to non-emergency texts or calls right away if I’m at work or unavailable to chat. I’ll send a quick text letting them know I’ll get back to them soon, and I avoid messaging too late or too early. We also coordinate our schedules and agree on the best times to meet or talk through important issues. I still carve out time during the week to contact attorneys, social workers, and other support teams.

How would you encourage someone else to get involved?

Start by attending an informational session to learn what being a CASA is all about. You don’t need a background in social work — I certainly didn’t! You’ll be supported every step of the way by an experienced team that’s there to answer questions and share resources to help with your case.

One of the best parts of volunteering with CASA of LA is that you learn something new almost every day — and you get to meet some truly amazing people along the way.

Sign Up for a 1-1 Consultation with an Education Attorney

Date: Wednesday, February 25th

Time slots: 9am, 10am or 11am

CASA/LA is hosting an IEP consultation clinic with the help of the Alliance for Children’s Rights. This clinic is an opportunity to consult one-on-one with an education attorney to get guidance about your young person’s education.

Steps to schedule a consultation:

1. Check your availability: Confirm that you’re available on the clinic date and during possible appointment times. Tentatively mark these on your calendar
2. Gather education documents: collect as many documents as you can from the last two years of your young person’s educational history
3. Complete the consultation form
4. Look out for a confirmation email

Note: Appointments are limited and scheduled on first come, first serve basis. Submit your form early to secure your spot.

Where: Zoom

REGISTER by completing consultation form

Contact Emily Scrimshaw with any questions

When: Tuesday, February 17th at 1:30pm

Where: TBD CASA’s home

We’re Reading: Poverty by America by Matthew Desmond

RSVP: contact Lisa Baskin (ba*****@*******al.net)

*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.