AmberRae McGill was sworn in with our CASA class of April 2024 and was quick and enthusiastic to accept appointment on her first case the following month. A testament to her unwavering commitment to and passion for helping support the children involved in Dependency and Neglect cases, she opted to support two teens who, due to lack of suitable placements in Boulder County, had been placed in Colorado Springs. As one can imagine, the distance involved in such a placement meant these particular kiddos had to uproot their peer and social supports, and work to establish a new community of supports in the Springs.

That’s where AmberRae came in. She felt called to this line of volunteerism due to her lived experiences. Cognizant and self-aware enough to admit she can’t solve the world’s problems, but steadfast in knowing she can still be a light and a beacon of support in the midst of these pivotal, challenging moments in these children’s lives. And so, she jumped right into the turbulent uncertainty that her CASA kiddos had been subjected to, to be a pillar of support and walk alongside them to ensure they knew they were not alone.

As AmberRae’s appointment to her case came at the start of a summer break, she was quick to build a rapport with the children involved on her case and determine what kind of extracurricular activities and hobbies they could all explore together in order to promote and establish connections to the Colorado Springs area. The trio decided on the pursuing the ever-stimulating challenge of geocaching, which has enabled the teens to get to explore Colorado Springs and surrounding areas, while sharing in and enjoying AmberRae’s unwavering company.

If asked, AmberRae will tell you that she’s learned more from her CASA kiddos than she’s taught them. “They’ve helped me to stop focusing on myself, and that it’s the little things and moments in life that matter. They are amazing, they are so resilient, and their perspectives are so mature.. they are really good kids.”

With the school year underway, AmberRae has turned her attention (and best interest advocacy) to their education and helping to reconnect the children with their parent. Her CASA teens are so lucky to have AmberRae in their corner, and we are so lucky to have an amazing advocate like AmberRae in our community – thank you AmberRae!