The Circle of Support: From The Lion King to Atlanta CASA

In the summer of 1994, Disney released The Lion King, a story that captured the hearts of children and families everywhere. It came out the summer after my fourth grade year when I was a nine year old. I remember sitting wide eyed in the theater as the story unfolded. The colors, the music, and the themes of love, loss, and resilience touched me in a way I could not fully explain then, but I carried them with me. I was moved by the story of Simba, a young lion finding his way after tragedy and learning the meaning of responsibility, community, and the Circle of Life.

Now, 31 years later, I experienced The Lion King again in a way that touched me even more profoundly. This summer, I traveled with my youngest son, who is 11, to New York City where we saw The Lion King on Broadway. Sitting beside him in that theater, I felt a powerful wave of emotion. The same story that reached me as a child was now reaching him, and we were sharing it together. It was a full circle moment. I could see in his eyes the same wonder and hope that I once felt. To experience that with him reminded me of how stories can connect across generations and how they can speak to us in new ways as we grow.

As I reflected, I realized that The Lion King is more than a story about animals on the savannah. It is about support, guidance, and the strength of community. Mufasa guiding Simba brings to mind the role CASA volunteers play for children in foster care, offering wisdom, advocacy, and a steady presence when the world feels uncertain. Rafiki, the trusted mentor who helps Simba remember who he is, reminds me of the CASA volunteer who speaks into the life of a child and tells them they are not forgotten. And just as Simba needed a circle of love and encouragement to reclaim his place, children in foster care need a circle of adults who are committed to seeing them flourish.

At Atlanta CASA, our volunteers are that circle. They stand with children and remind them that they matter, that their voices are important, and that they are never alone. They help children believe in a future filled with possibility and hope.

Seeing The Lion King on Broadway with my son was more than entertainment. It was a reminder of why this work matters so much. Every child deserves to know that they belong. Every child deserves to know that they are seen. Every child deserves a circle of support that will never give up on them.

For me, what started as a moment of joy as a nine year old girl in a movie theater has now become a calling as an adult. I have the honor of leading an organization that surrounds children with the very same circle of love and support that moved me so long ago. And I believe with all my heart that more children need that circle.

Our circle is growing. But it is not complete without you. I invite you to join us. Become a CASA volunteer. Stand with a child. Help them find their voice, their hope, and their future. Together, we can ensure that every child knows they are part of a circle that will never let them go.