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Representation in the adoption process

Volunteers have to be over the age of 21 and have a clear criminal history and CPS background.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —

Adoption can be complex when you don’t necessarily look like the family you’re about to join. Shay Erpelding, a volunteer at CASA of the Coastal Bend said her experience growing up is a driving factor in why she volunteers for kids who may be in similar situations.  

“I was adopted when I was super young,” Erpelding said. “And I was adopted by a Caucasian family.” 

While she felt the love of her adopted family, Erpelding said she still had questions. 

“Why is it that I’m the only kid that looks how I do in my entire family,” Erpelding said. 

As she got older, those questions started to shape her view of the world around her. 

“Growing up, it was more or less not knowing what color skin I had,” Erpelding said. “Understanding why it is a little different for me to get up in the morning and get ready, as opposed to someone else.” 

Now, she makes it her mission to help children who may be having those similar thoughts. 

“Yes, it’s hard to straighten our hair,” Erpelding said. “And yes, it’s sunny outside and the sun’s going to make you have frizzy hair and it's okay. That’s why there’s counselors and me here.” 

Seana Towler, CASA program director said their numbers are pretty forward. 

“We have a small percentage of Black children, and we have a huge percentage of brown children, because our population is mostly Hispanic people,” Towler said. 

However, despite those numbers, Towler said that CASA makes sure that all their volunteers are all on the same page.  

“We do a lot on diversity and ethnicity and racism,” Towler said. “We have continuing ed. and every one of our volunteers participates in that continuing ed.” 

The continuing education is in place in order to ensure that all children have their chance at a better and brighter future. 

“My goal is to not let those kids age out, or at least not age out without having someone in their back corner and I hope that could be me,” Erpelding said. 

Towler said that volunteers have to be over the age of 21 and have a clear criminal history and CPS background. 

For more information on how to become a volunteer, you can visit their website at coastalbendcasa.org.

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