--- title: CASPA stories | CASPA description: Stories help us understand our history, differences and common ground. They bring us together for a shared purpose and inspire us to build a better world. image: https://caspa.org.au/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Lantern%20parade%2c%20CASPA%2c%20pegasus%20lantern%2c%20team%2c%20teamwork%2c%20community%2c%20together%2c%20%20Lismore.png --- Decrease text size A- | Increase text size A+ | High contrast mode - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Our services](https://caspa.org.au/our-services) - [Foster care](https://caspa.org.au/foster-care) - [Children & young people](https://caspa.org.au/our-services/children-and-young-people) - [Disability services](https://caspa.org.au/disability-services) - [Education](https://caspa.org.au/education) - [Family and carer support](https://caspa.org.au/family-and-carer-support) - [Allied health services](https://caspa.org.au/allied-health-services) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [About us](https://caspa.org.au/who-is-caspa) - [Our people](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/our-people) - [Our impact](https://caspa.org.au/our-impact) - [Our mission ](https://caspa.org.au/about-caspa/what-motivates-us) - Our initiatives - [CASPA Foundation](https://caspafoundation.org.au/caspa-foundation) - [Lawyers 4 Hope](https://lawyers4hope.org.au/home) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Work with us](https://caspa.org.au/work-with-us) - [Become a carer](https://caspa.org.au/become-a-carer) - [Volunteer](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer) - [Partner with us](https://caspa.org.au/partner-with-us) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [CASPA stories](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories) - [News & media](https://caspa.org.au/news-media) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [Contact us](https://caspa.org.au/contact-us) - [After hours support](https://caspa.org.au/after-hours) - [Disaster support](https://caspa.org.au/disaster-support) [ Search ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/author/caspa#) [ Donate ](https://caspa.org.au/donate-volunteer) accessibility controls [Home](https://caspa.org.au/) CASPA stories | CASPA ## CASPA stories Inspired to build a better world [ CASPA stories ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/caspa-stories) [ Community ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/community) [ Young people ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/young-people) [ Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-people) [ CASPA team ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/caspa-team) [ Carer stories ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/carer-stories) [ Impact ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/impact) [ People with disabilities ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/people-with-disabilities) [ Advocacy ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/advocacy) [ Hammers 4 Hope ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/hammers-4-hope) [ Keeping families together ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/tag/keeping-families-together) [![Respite and emergency foster carers, James and Danni](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Danni%20James%20Howes.png?width=448&name=Danni%20James%20Howes.png) Carer stories: James & Danni We can’t do everything. But surely, we can do something. ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-james-danni) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/DSCF9580_Heroes.jpg?width=448&name=DSCF9580_Heroes.jpg) Big Deadly Day brings Lismore community together to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly Blue skies replaced the morning rain, car parks filled before lunchtime, and more than 7,000 people... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/big-deadly-day-brings-community-together-to-celebrate-50-years-of-deadly) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/andrej-lisakov-j7coGcRP51E-unsplash.jpg?width=448&name=andrej-lisakov-j7coGcRP51E-unsplash.jpg) Why foster with CASPA? Becoming a foster carer is a big decision. It is one of the most meaningful things you can do, but... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/why-foster-with-caspa) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/260305.iwd.png?width=448&name=260305.iwd.png) Celebrating our female leaders this International Women’s Day At CASPA, we’re using International Women’s Day as an opportunity to pause and celebrate the women... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/celebrating-our-female-leaders-this-international-womens-day) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/260304.SIL%20banner.png?width=448&name=260304.SIL%20banner.png) Building belonging through NDIS Supported Independent Living When people think of Supported Independent Living (SIL) under the NDIS, they often imagine daily... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/building-belonging-through-ndis-supported-independent-living) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(20).png?width=448&name=Untitled%20design%20(20).png) Good Little Things make a big difference Starting a new school year can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/good-little-things-make-a-big-difference) [![An elderly woman sitting in comfortable conversation in an indoor setting](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(13)-1.png?width=448&name=Untitled%20design%20(13)-1.png) Carer stories: Cecilia We can’t choose what challenges life gives us. But we can choose how we respond. We can choose to... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-cecilia) [![Portrait of a male Aboriginal elder with grey hair smiling](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Hero%20Images/Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait%20Islander%20Content/Austock000024151_Small%201.jpg?width=448&name=Austock000024151_Small%201.jpg) NDIS stories: Patrick In the heart of Australia’s remote outback, an Aboriginal elder, Patrick, sits on his front porch,... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ndis-stories-patrick) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/2-4.png?width=448&name=2-4.png) Celebrating our village: Carer Conference & NAIDOC Week Community Day Last week, CASPA brought together our incredible village of carers for a well-deserved celebration... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/celebrating-our-village-carer-conference-naidoc-week-community-day) [![A young man dances with joy outside](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blake%20outside%20crop-2.jpg?width=448&name=Blake%20outside%20crop-2.jpg) NDIS stories: Blake On a pleasantly warm afternoon gathered in a grassy clearing, an audience erupts in applause. A... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ndis-stories-blake) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%20(24).png?width=448&name=Image%20(24).png) Striving for gender equality benefits everyone CASPA is proud to be part of a female-dominated sector and support the progression of women within... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/striving-for-gender-equality-benefits-everyone) [![A same sex couple sit in comfortable conversation in an outdoor setting](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-11-20%20105736%201.png?width=448&name=Screenshot%202024-11-20%20105736%201.png) Carer stories: Danni & Roxy For Danni and Roxy, fostering wasn’t about fitting a mould. It was about expanding their family of... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-danni-roxy) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Image%20(1).jpeg?width=448&name=Image%20(1).jpeg) CASPA's Empowering Ability event in Casino At CASPA we embrace every opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the importance of... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspas-empowering-ability-event) [![A group of girl's dressed in festive green and red costumes dance energetically on a stage in front of a blue banner with a shooting star that reads CASPA ](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/20241130-Lismore-Xmas-Carnival-0116.jpg?width=448&name=20241130-Lismore-Xmas-Carnival-0116.jpg) CASPA’s first ever Christmas Carnival in Lismore On a rainy Saturday, community members gathered at the Lismore Turf Club to celebrate CASPA’s... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspas-first-ever-christmas-carnival-in-lismore) [![A mother and teenage son, embracing and smiling, stand in a kitchen filled with natural light.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/s2.jpg?width=448&name=s2.jpg) Young people's stories: Tom Last month, a quiet dinner marked an extraordinary milestone in the life of a teenager named Tom*... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-tom) [![A family attends a therapy session, the father and son embracing. The setting is comfortable and light.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20therapy.jpg?width=448&name=Family%20therapy.jpg) CASPA at the 2024 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Symposium At this year’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Symposium on the Gold Coast, we were proud to see... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspa-2024-child-adolescent-mental-health-symposium) [![Children happily running together outside at sunset.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Happy%20kids%20running%20at%20sunset.jpg?width=448&name=Happy%20kids%20running%20at%20sunset.jpg) Policy advocacy: Upholding children's rights CASPA is at the forefront of advocating for children's rights in Australia, particularly focusing... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/upholding-childrens-rights) [![A white woman with long dark hair stands in front of the CEO Sleepout sign. She is wearing warm clothes and holding a large back and a cardboard box with her message of hope written on it.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image00023.jpeg?width=448&name=image00023.jpeg) CASPA at the CEO Sleepout On one of the coldest nights of the year, CASPA leaders joined forces with other corporate... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ceo-sleepout) [![A young person and their mentor working together to complete maintenance work in a home.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Milo%20H4H%20Crop.jpeg?width=448&name=Milo%20H4H%20Crop.jpeg) Young people's stories: Milo Milo* is taking an exciting step toward his future, beginning an apprenticeship as a carpenter.... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-milo) [![A couple walk happily together outside. A young child sits on the man's shoulders.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Bens%20forever%20family.jpg?width=448&name=Bens%20forever%20family.jpg) Carer stories: Tania & Evan Tania and Evan had been long-time carers with CASPA, dedicated to providing children in need with... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-tania-evan) [![A young, Indigenous girl with a half smile on her face looks at the camera. She is standing in a bright, open garden.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Jasmine%20blog.jpg?width=448&name=Jasmine%20blog.jpg) Young people's stories: Jasmine At CASPA, we believe in the power of family restoration, knowing that where it is safe and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-jasmine) [![A young Aborginal person's feet standing in a creek.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Nov-29-2024-01-43-49-3695-AM.png?width=448&name=2-Nov-29-2024-01-43-49-3695-AM.png) CASPA launches Cultural Program for young people CASPA recently held our first Cultural Program for young people in the Northern Territory at... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/cultural-program-for-young-people) [![A young couple in formal attire dance together surrounded by balloons. They are happy..](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Sarah%20at%20her%20formal.jpg?width=448&name=Sarah%20at%20her%20formal.jpg) Young people's stories: Sarah For young people living in out-of-home care, high school can come with unique challenges, and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-sarah) [![A mum and dad laugh and play with their three daughters on the floor in a living room setting.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20House-1.jpg?width=448&name=Family%20House-1.jpg) Alaia's Place: Supporting family restoration At CASPA, family restoration is a cornerstone of our work. We are dedicated to providing safe and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/supporting-family-restoration) [![Respite and emergency foster carers, James and Danni](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Danni%20James%20Howes.png?width=448&name=Danni%20James%20Howes.png) Carer stories: James & Danni We can’t do everything. But surely, we can do something. ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-james-danni) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/DSCF9580_Heroes.jpg?width=448&name=DSCF9580_Heroes.jpg) Big Deadly Day brings Lismore community together to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly Blue skies replaced the morning rain, car parks filled before lunchtime, and more than 7,000 people... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/big-deadly-day-brings-community-together-to-celebrate-50-years-of-deadly) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/andrej-lisakov-j7coGcRP51E-unsplash.jpg?width=448&name=andrej-lisakov-j7coGcRP51E-unsplash.jpg) Why foster with CASPA? Becoming a foster carer is a big decision. It is one of the most meaningful things you can do, but... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/why-foster-with-caspa) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/260305.iwd.png?width=448&name=260305.iwd.png) Celebrating our female leaders this International Women’s Day At CASPA, we’re using International Women’s Day as an opportunity to pause and celebrate the women... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/celebrating-our-female-leaders-this-international-womens-day) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/260304.SIL%20banner.png?width=448&name=260304.SIL%20banner.png) Building belonging through NDIS Supported Independent Living When people think of Supported Independent Living (SIL) under the NDIS, they often imagine daily... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/building-belonging-through-ndis-supported-independent-living) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(20).png?width=448&name=Untitled%20design%20(20).png) Good Little Things make a big difference Starting a new school year can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/good-little-things-make-a-big-difference) [![An elderly woman sitting in comfortable conversation in an indoor setting](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(13)-1.png?width=448&name=Untitled%20design%20(13)-1.png) Carer stories: Cecilia We can’t choose what challenges life gives us. But we can choose how we respond. We can choose to... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-cecilia) [![Portrait of a male Aboriginal elder with grey hair smiling](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Hero%20Images/Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait%20Islander%20Content/Austock000024151_Small%201.jpg?width=448&name=Austock000024151_Small%201.jpg) NDIS stories: Patrick In the heart of Australia’s remote outback, an Aboriginal elder, Patrick, sits on his front porch,... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ndis-stories-patrick) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/2-4.png?width=448&name=2-4.png) Celebrating our village: Carer Conference & NAIDOC Week Community Day Last week, CASPA brought together our incredible village of carers for a well-deserved celebration... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/celebrating-our-village-carer-conference-naidoc-week-community-day) [![A young man dances with joy outside](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blake%20outside%20crop-2.jpg?width=448&name=Blake%20outside%20crop-2.jpg) NDIS stories: Blake On a pleasantly warm afternoon gathered in a grassy clearing, an audience erupts in applause. A... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ndis-stories-blake) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Image%20(24).png?width=448&name=Image%20(24).png) Striving for gender equality benefits everyone CASPA is proud to be part of a female-dominated sector and support the progression of women within... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/striving-for-gender-equality-benefits-everyone) [![A same sex couple sit in comfortable conversation in an outdoor setting](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202024-11-20%20105736%201.png?width=448&name=Screenshot%202024-11-20%20105736%201.png) Carer stories: Danni & Roxy For Danni and Roxy, fostering wasn’t about fitting a mould. It was about expanding their family of... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-danni-roxy) [![](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Image%20(1).jpeg?width=448&name=Image%20(1).jpeg) CASPA's Empowering Ability event in Casino At CASPA we embrace every opportunity to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the importance of... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspas-empowering-ability-event) [![A group of girl's dressed in festive green and red costumes dance energetically on a stage in front of a blue banner with a shooting star that reads CASPA ](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/20241130-Lismore-Xmas-Carnival-0116.jpg?width=448&name=20241130-Lismore-Xmas-Carnival-0116.jpg) CASPA’s first ever Christmas Carnival in Lismore On a rainy Saturday, community members gathered at the Lismore Turf Club to celebrate CASPA’s... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspas-first-ever-christmas-carnival-in-lismore) [![A mother and teenage son, embracing and smiling, stand in a kitchen filled with natural light.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/s2.jpg?width=448&name=s2.jpg) Young people's stories: Tom Last month, a quiet dinner marked an extraordinary milestone in the life of a teenager named Tom*... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-tom) [![A family attends a therapy session, the father and son embracing. The setting is comfortable and light.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20therapy.jpg?width=448&name=Family%20therapy.jpg) CASPA at the 2024 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Symposium At this year’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Symposium on the Gold Coast, we were proud to see... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/caspa-2024-child-adolescent-mental-health-symposium) [![Children happily running together outside at sunset.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Happy%20kids%20running%20at%20sunset.jpg?width=448&name=Happy%20kids%20running%20at%20sunset.jpg) Policy advocacy: Upholding children's rights CASPA is at the forefront of advocating for children's rights in Australia, particularly focusing... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/upholding-childrens-rights) [![A white woman with long dark hair stands in front of the CEO Sleepout sign. She is wearing warm clothes and holding a large back and a cardboard box with her message of hope written on it.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image00023.jpeg?width=448&name=image00023.jpeg) CASPA at the CEO Sleepout On one of the coldest nights of the year, CASPA leaders joined forces with other corporate... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/ceo-sleepout) [![A young person and their mentor working together to complete maintenance work in a home.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Milo%20H4H%20Crop.jpeg?width=448&name=Milo%20H4H%20Crop.jpeg) Young people's stories: Milo Milo* is taking an exciting step toward his future, beginning an apprenticeship as a carpenter.... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-milo) [![A couple walk happily together outside. A young child sits on the man's shoulders.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Bens%20forever%20family.jpg?width=448&name=Bens%20forever%20family.jpg) Carer stories: Tania & Evan Tania and Evan had been long-time carers with CASPA, dedicated to providing children in need with... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/carer-stories-tania-evan) [![A young, Indigenous girl with a half smile on her face looks at the camera. She is standing in a bright, open garden.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Jasmine%20blog.jpg?width=448&name=Jasmine%20blog.jpg) Young people's stories: Jasmine At CASPA, we believe in the power of family restoration, knowing that where it is safe and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-jasmine) [![A young Aborginal person's feet standing in a creek.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Nov-29-2024-01-43-49-3695-AM.png?width=448&name=2-Nov-29-2024-01-43-49-3695-AM.png) CASPA launches Cultural Program for young people CASPA recently held our first Cultural Program for young people in the Northern Territory at... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/cultural-program-for-young-people) [![A young couple in formal attire dance together surrounded by balloons. They are happy..](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Sarah%20at%20her%20formal.jpg?width=448&name=Sarah%20at%20her%20formal.jpg) Young people's stories: Sarah For young people living in out-of-home care, high school can come with unique challenges, and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/young-peoples-stories-sarah) [![A mum and dad laugh and play with their three daughters on the floor in a living room setting.](https://caspa.org.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20House-1.jpg?width=448&name=Family%20House-1.jpg) Alaia's Place: Supporting family restoration At CASPA, family restoration is a cornerstone of our work. We are dedicated to providing safe and... ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/supporting-family-restoration) Previous page [ Next page ](https://caspa.org.au/caspa-stories/author/caspa/page/2) #### Stay up to date & subscribe to our CASPA community ##### Improving the lives of at-risk children, their families and people with disabilities is at the heart of what we do. ##### Together we thrive. We acknowledge the First Nations People upon whose stolen lands we operate. CASPA recognises that the land belonging to these peoples was never ceded, given up, bought or sold. We recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and sky. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present and emerging. CASPA welcomes and celebrates diversity. We are committed to safe and inclusive places, policies and services for people of LGBTQISB+ communities, people living with a disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 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