Over the past six years, CASA of Cook County has experienced incredible growth. In fact, we have increased the number of children served by 664% and grown our volunteer base by 221%. But even with this success, the need for more volunteer advocates and resources remains urgent. Thousands of children in Cook County’s foster care system still need a CASA Volunteer Advocate—someone to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.
Today, I am excited to invite you on a journey. Over the next three weeks, we will share the story of Tobia Thurman, one of CASA’s exceptional volunteer advocates. Through her story, you will see the life-changing impact CASA Volunteer Advocates have on the lives of children in foster care—and why your support is so vital.
Please stay engaged with this email series and share it with your friends and family. The more people who learn about the critical work CASA does the greater our collective impact will be.
“I believe volunteering is in my DNA,” Tobia shares. A recipient of CASA of Cook County’s 2022 Champion of Children Award, Tobia brings decades of experience and a passion for supporting children in need.
Tobia began her career as a teacher at Corliss High School, working with children with learning disabilities. Her journey continued through roles at therapeutic day schools, where she appreciated the individualized care, each child received. She later became Chairperson of Special Education at Washington High School and monitored 27 schools for Chicago Public Schools, ensuring each child received the support they needed. Tobia’s passion for accountability grew stronger during her tenure at the Illinois State Board of Education, where she supervised and implemented outcomes for students with special needs.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tobia is deeply committed to her community. Through her church, Trinity United, she recently connected CASA families to a new food pantry that allows them to “shop” for fresh food and household items with dignity.
(Pseudonyms are used to protect the children and families)
Tobia’s case involved a sibling group of seven children placed in foster care in 2017 due to neglect. These children came from a family with a long history of generational poverty and foster care involvement. High turnover among caseworkers, unstable placements, and a lack of consistent support left the children with few advocates to ensure their needs were met.
This case reflects many of the challenges CASA often encounters. Families like Johnson’s, Green’s, and Smith’s family need specialized, non-traditional intervention and support. For instance, Ms. Green—a single mother of nine children—was struggling to provide for her family. Two of her children, Kevin, and Thomas, were living in an unauthorized placement with their mother, leaving them ineligible for financial support from DCFS or partner agencies.
Kevin and Thomas had not attended school since the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. The family’s financial condition was dire—Ms. Green had no income, no employment, and relied solely on a Section 8 housing voucher. This left her unable to afford necessities like food, clothing, hygiene products, transportation, and educational materials. Despite her claims of completing services and programs, Ms. Green needed additional support to stabilize her family.
Tobia’s mission became clear: to prioritize keeping the siblings connected, advocating for their individual needs, and addressing the systemic gaps that were preventing progress.
Last year, after several placement changes, the siblings had not seen each other in months. Tobia stepped in to organize logistics with the newest caseworker, ensuring the children could reconnect for a visit outside the agency office. These moments of connection are vital to their healing and growth.
Stay tuned! In our next email, you will hear about how Tobia helped these siblings achieve incredible educational milestones despite the odds.
