December 17, 2025
From juvenile detention to college: Sofia’s story of resilience and transformation
Sofia* entered the world under unimaginable circumstances: her mother was incarcerated at the time of her birth. From her earliest days, stability was something she only saw in other children’s lives. Unlike them, Sofia grew up moving from one foster home to another, feeling like a ghost in her own story. “Normal” was a dream she feared she’d never reach.
By the age of 14, both of Sofia’s parents had lost their parental rights. At 16, struggling with addiction and running away from placements, Sofia found herself in juvenile detention after an incident involving other teens. Her sentence was lengthy, not because of the severity of her actions, but because she had nowhere else to go.
That’s when Amy* entered her life. Amy was Sofia’s CASA volunteer, and as part of her support team, she was allowed to visit and communicate with Sofia while she was incarcerated.
Those visits became a lifeline. Amy was the first adult who showed up consistently and was someone who believed in Sofia when she didn’t believe in herself. Through Amy’s steady presence, Sofia found a positive, adult role model she could trust.
For years, Sofia had to focus on survival, but with Amy in her corner, Sofia began to imagine and create a brighter future. Last spring, Sofia graduated from high school where she earned an award for an essay she wrote about the foster youth-to-prison pipeline. Today, she’s a university freshman and studying sociology with dreams of advocating for youth like herself. The bond Sofia shares with Amy is stronger than ever. They still talk multiple times a week, proudly calling themselves “best friends for life.” Sofia’s story is one of courage, resilience, and the power of unwavering support that a CASA volunteer can provide.
According to Casey Family Programs, “It is unknown exactly how many children in the child welfare system have an incarcerated parent, but estimates range from 15% to 20%.” One of National CASA/GAL’s priority focus areas is helping children with incarcerated parents. CASA and GAL volunteers make a life-changing difference for children and youth. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a CASA or GAL volunteer, please connect with a local program for more information. Each volunteer is trained and supported by highly-qualified staff members across the country. Once involved, your program will support you every step of the way.