How Steve Eling became fully immersed in CASA’s mission

Steve Eling first became familiar with CASA through his involvement with First Christian Church several years ago.

“I always swore I was going try to make a difference in somebody’s life as soon as my kids were raised,” he says. “Now that my six kids are out of the house, that is what I’ve done. That’s when I moved forward as an advocate.”

Even before he became an advocate though, he was making sure CASA received the financial support needed to carry forth the mission. Eling is the General Manager for Alpine Buick GMC South in Colorado Springs, and in the spring of 2023 the dealership became one of CASA’s business partners.

With the financial contributions of Alpine Buick GMC South, as well as other business partners, CASA is able to continue training and supporting advocates to speak up for abused and neglected children. The need is great as there are about 800 kids each year who need a CASA volunteer.

One of these 800 kids is a 16-year-old boy who Eling has proudly advocated for over the past 13 months.  Eling says he was surprised by the boy’s reaction to his presence on the case.

“He was absolutely 100% an open book the moment I met him,” he recalls. “We were kin the minute we met.”

Eling says working one on one with his teen has opened his eyes.

“I had no idea what some kids have to go through and the struggles they have to endure to make a life for themselves,” he says. “That’s how we change this world – just one person at a time. I think that’s what is so important about this volunteer opportunity.”

The young man Eling advocates for is living in a residential treatment facility and when Eling visits, he makes sure to offer activities the boy wouldn’t have access to otherwise.

“I take him to get his hair cut every couple of weeks and he gets his hair braided. I take him to lunch, occasionally. We spend a lot of time talking about girls which is funny.”

Eling also took the boy to his first basketball game.

Eling says being a Court Appointed Special Advocate has been a life-changing experience and he would encourage other men to get involved.

“I would tell them it’s a real eye-opening experience to be able to see things from another perspective and to change your perspective on your world. I know the men I have referred to CASA – it has changed their lives too.”