Hi Everyone! Some of you may know that my Mom, Gretchen Navarro, has worked for nearly 5 years as a CASA advocate, which is a completely volunteer position that is aimed to offer a child in the system a consistent relationship with an advocate that transcends case workers, foster families, and legal representation, as those so often change in a child's life. In her own words, my mother describes being a CASA volunteer as "often being the only person who understands the 'whole' world of the child. Because of the longevity of the CASA/child relationship, the child’s experiences are unearthed recognized and documented, and reported to the ruling judge as legal decisions are made. Even further, however, To be a CASA advocate is to provide a child the comfort that there is a consistent person in their life who will communicate with the courts to understand that child’s experiences via their own voice. By donating today, you become a crucial part of a child's journey to a safer, happier life. Your gift ensures every child has a dedicated advocate to champion their needs and be their voice in a system that does not always work in their favor. Every dollar makes a difference! As for me, this will be my first full marathon, which has always been a larger life goal of mine! I am honored to be running for a charity that does such great work, and I get to see lots of it daily with my mom! In an effort to push myself to be the best, I am looking to raise $2,500 for the cause, which with all of the runners, would bring the grand total to $100,000 for the Chicago Marathon!