When 7-year-old CJ opened the door and saw me standing there, he slammed it shut. Having just returned to his mom after a stint in foster care, he was terrified that I had come to take him away. But I wasn’t there to remove him – I was there to stand by him.

I introduced myself as his CASA, his Court-Appointed Special Advocate.

Over the next 10 years, through five foster homes, a failed adoption, several residential facilities and separation from his siblings, I was CJ’s constant. I taught him how to ride a bike. I celebrated his birthdays when no one else remembered. I visited him in the hospital when no one else thought to. I fought to keep him in school when he was on the brink of being expelled. And I sat beside him in court when his fifth foster mother became his legal guardian, finally giving him a safe and permanent home. I remain his fighter, his supporter and his friend.

Now kids like CJ have become political footballs when it comes to whether they should receive federal support or not. The Seattle-based National CASA/GAL Association became one of the 360 programs whose federal grants were abruptly terminated by the U.S. Department of Justice.

That decision was soon reversed, but it remains unclear whether the programs that support kids like CJ will be funded. For over 30 years, the CASA program has trained volunteers to stand by children like CJ. We can’t let seemingly “ephemeral” federal funding be the only support for volunteer training, technical assistance or financial help for hundreds of chapters across the country.

If that funding is lost, more than 200,000 abused and neglected children could lose the one person standing by their side — their CASA.

According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, more than 340,000 children were in foster care in 2023. These children often experience frequent changes in caseworkers, foster placements and schools. They may be separated from their siblings. Countless foster children struggle with trauma. Far too many will age out without a single adult in their corner.

In my local chapter, a loss of dollars would terminate our Older Youth Advocacy Improvement Project, a vital program supporting teens between 14 and 21, including CJ. The project was designed to give CASAs like me a better understanding of risk areas and needs for CJ’s age group, so we can make sure we’re providing the right kind of support.

Without it, we lose specialized training, resources and stipends that help our most vulnerable youth navigate an already-broken system. CASA can no longer count on federal grants. To continue our work without disruption and to grow our volunteer base, each chapter like ours must now rely on private donations.

CASA volunteers fill the gap left by a fractured system. Overworked and underpaid child welfare caseworkers simply don’t have the time to build the deep, lasting relationships that children in foster care so desperately need. CASAs step in, visiting monthly, advocating in court, ensuring the children get proper education, health care, housing and emotional support. Without the grants from our federal government, the youth in our community will suffer.

The DOJ claims to prioritize “protecting American children.” This back-and-forth decision says otherwise. I urge you to act in whatever capacity you can.

Become a CASA. You can change a child’s story. For only a few hours a week, you can show up for our children and make a difference in their lives. You don’t need to be a lawyer or a social worker. You just need to care. Click here to find your local chapter for information on training sessions.

Donate to your local CASA chapter. Every dollar counts. Your generosity helps ensure kids don’t fall through the cracks. Show your support for the children in your community by donating to programs like CASA of Delaware and Chester Counties.

Contact your Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ask them to inquire about the award terminations and advocate for CASA funding. You can find your representatives HERE and speak up.

Spread the word. Share this message widely to ensure that every child continues to have an advocate. Bring this to your dinner table, your social media timeline, your colleagues. Put CASA in every conversation and in every community.

CJ is now 18. He recently called me to share his grades. He knew that I would celebrate his success. Let’s make sure every child has someone in their corner, celebrating their successes.

This post was originally published on Next City.