Meet Marisela...

Sandra had just finished her first case as a CASA in 2017 when her Supervisor asked her to next consider working with a special young lady.  Marisela was 16 years old and had arrived from Mexico a year prior. She was undocumented, monolingual in Spanish, a teenage mother, and living in a group home. Sandra knew that Marisela had no family of her own, needed more support now more than ever. 

Marisela had not progressed beyond the third grade in Mexico and now was enrolled in school in the U.S. for the first time.  Sandra helped Marisela lay out a plan to complete her the High School Equivalency Test, which would earn her an alternative yet equivalent high school diploma.  Sandra helped Marisela study for exams and obtain resources from Monterey County Office of Education and community partners. After achieving her HiSET, Sandra encouraged Marisela to enroll in college to further her education. They attended advisory meetings together, and Sandra helped teach Marisela to advocate for herself. Sandra also assisted Marisela in completing the Dream Act application. 

Sandra researched Marisela's legal immigration status options to ultimately provide Marisela and her daughter the ability to achieve a better life. Together, they obtained an immigration attorney and they began applying for the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which was lengthy and fraught with many delays. This would provide Marisela legal permanent residence in the U.S. Sandra was by Marisela's side every step of the way, making sure that no notices or hearings were missed, translating documents, and following up consistently with Marisela's team. After over two years, Marisela received news of her permanent legal status, and Sandra was the first person with whom Marisela shared that special moment!

Now 21, Marisela is no longer in foster care - her cased closed with the Department of Social Services. Her daughter attends preschool, and through Marisela's hard work and model behavior, they live in an apartment through a Transitional Housing Program. Marisela received her driver's license, purchased her own car, and obtained a Mexican passport to now visit and stay connected with family in her home country.   

With constant encouragement, caring support, and advocacy, Sandra significantly changed the trajectory of Marisela and her daughter's lives. Their relationship is no longer that of a CASA and foster youth but one of lifelong friendship and chosen family.