Michele McKee always knew she wanted to work with children. She once planned to use her teaching credential in the classroom, but life took her in another direction. Still, the desire to support young people never left her. After retiring from a long career in accounting and working part-time at Recovery Café San Jose, she knew it was time to follow through on something that had been in her heart for years. “If I’m not going to do it now,” she had said to herself, “it’s never going to happen.” So she signed up to become a CASA Advocate and has never looked back.
Michele first began supporting a teenage boy named Joshua*. He was bright, social, and loved to surf, but his life was full of instability. He had been involved in both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and came from a family deeply impacted by substance use. Michele formed a strong connection with both Joshua and his mother. She helped buy him a pair athletic shoes, drove him to interviews to help him find a job, and brought him books during one period of incarceration. When Joshua and his mother began managing their recovery and reunified, Michele was by their side every step of the way.
But her time as an Advocate was not over. She decided to begin supporting an 8-year-old boy named Charlie*. He was having challenges in school, and his foster family asked for help providing him with weekly outings, and for nearly a year, Michele became a steady presence in his life. On one particular outing Michele brought him and kite shaped like a butterfly. They struggled a bit to put it together—they even had to look up a video. But “the look on his face when that kite actually got up in the air,” Michele said, “was something that I’ll never forget. So joyful. It was amazing.”
After Charlie was placed in the care of his grandmother in the Central Valley, Michele began to regularly talk with her and helps out however she can too. And when Charlie’s biological mother needed a ride for her son’s birthday at his grandmother’s house, Michele drove.
And through it all, one of the biggest takeaways Michele has had is a deeper understanding of love of family. “With everything they had gone through,” she said, “they love each other so much. The look on their faces, it taught me something about family love. And what CASA does to support these families, is so important, so meaningful. I’ll never forget that.”
Michele’s deep commitment to children and families is why she was honored this year at the Volunteer Center’s Be the Difference Awards. The awards celebrate individuals, like Michele, that go above and beyond to strengthen their communities through volunteerism. Michele was one of two CASA volunteers recognized, and we are incredibly proud of them both.
Looking ahead, Michele is already thinking about the next youth she will support. “Yes, yes, I’ll definitely take on another kiddo,” she said. And while she enjoys spending time with the little ones, what matters most to her is showing up wherever she is needed.
Michele’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on a children and their family’s path toward healing and stability. Through her patience, care, and steady presence, she shows what it truly means to be a CASA Advocate.
Thank you, Michele, for all you do.
*Name changed for privacy
