My parents never hid the fact that I was adopted, and this has played a huge part in who I am today. The randomness of it all was evident from a young age and the fact that my parents were chosen from over 50 other applicants made my mind go wild with possibilities.

Sure, I wished a Hollywood couple could have adopted me a time or two, but my mind always went back to how bad it could have been. About how I was lucky… I have now learned that the greatest gift you can give a child is two parents that love each other and them unconditionally.

In 2012, I received a Facebook message that would change my perspective on things even further.

A young woman said she was my half-sister and that I had two half brothers that look a lot like me. She said I should contact them if I wanted a connection.

I messaged with my sister and then spoke on the phone for hours about what it was like growing up. Within a few months, I had planned a trip to meet my eldest brother and my half sister which turned out to be a transformational experience.

Many tears were cried, and stories were told, it was especially nice to meet and hang out with my brother since I had never had one until that moment.

But what had changed is I had now gotten the grim details of my half siblings venture through CPS and entering the foster system with not much hope of staying together when they were six months old, four, and six. Being in “the system” nearly a year, it was certainly a blessing when a relative stepped up and offered a permanent home and adoption for all three.

The perspective that came rushing over me during that trip is still raising me to higher levels of appreciation and gratitude to this day. This overwhelming feeling of “luck” had to be turned into positive energy.

So I was immediately curious when I found out about an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). This organization matches children “in the system” with volunteer “CASAs” whose job it is to supply the courts with a detailed report about the child’s situation and wellbeing.

Ty at the CASA Clubhouse, with Amy Travis, Director of CASA of Kern County.

Doing more research, I learned that we had a CASA of Kern County right here in my hometown, so I signed up for orientation for fall 2013, accepted my first case in January 2014, and am now serving my fourth child and am not turning back.

CASA keeps me grounded and motivated every day to prove that the decisions I make matter and that if you want a better future for the generations to come, you must build it.

“A person is a person, no matter how small.”
Dr. Seuss

CASA Connection and My Story of Giving Back

OH Olive Oil is Featured in 23 ABC of Kern County

The Orchard and Grandad’s Decision