Voices For

Children

Basics

VCF recruits, trains, and supports Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children in the foster care system. 

VCF started in San Diego County and has expanded into Riverside County, which is the region that PositiviTEE supports.

VCF’s goal is to continue growing the Riverside County program in order to provide a CASA for every single child in the foster care system that needs one.

The CASA model has been used nationwide for 40+ years.

PositiviTEE’s Impact

PositiviTEE was able to turn its $43,000 donation into a $64,500 gift by making the donation through another nonprofit called Focusing Philanthropy, which adds a 50% matching gift.

During VCF’s FY 24-25, they supported 414 CASA volunteers who served 730 children (204 from the Coachella Valley).

With an average cost of $2,000 to recruit, train, and support each CASA volunteer, they anticipate being able to add approximately 32 more CASAs as a result of PositiviTEE’s grant.

What Is A CASA?

When children experience abuse or neglect and it is unsafe for them to remain in their homes, they enter foster care. Each child and family is assigned to a juvenile court judge who makes all of the decisions about what happens next. In California and around the country, judges appoint exceptional community volunteers to advocate for the child’s best interests and to get to know the child in a holistic way. These volunteers are called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASA volunteers advocate for these children in court, school, and community settings, ensuring their needs are met and their voices heard. CASA volunteers are the spark that ignites change and hope in the lives of children in foster care.

The childhood of a youth in foster care can be marked by trauma, disruption, and loss. A CASA represents a stable, trusted relationship with an adult who sparks hope during the darkest of times in their life. What seems like an insignificant action to most people — listening to concerns, meeting for a meal, and offering trust, safety, and respect — is paramount for the children we serve because these actions let them know they matter. A CASA volunteer’s dedicated advocacy, support, and mere presence can be a constant light that can make a world of difference in a child’s life and lead them toward a more hopeful future.

Statistics show that children with CASAs:

  • Experience fewer foster care placement changes

  • Are more likely to find safe, permanent homes

  • Are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system

  • Receive more services

  • Perform better in school, both academically and behaviorally

  • Report higher levels of hope

In San Diego and Riverside Counties, Voices for Children is the only organization authorized by the local courts to recruit, train, and support CASA volunteers. Children experiencing the complex child welfare system rely on Voices for Children to ensure they will have their very own CASA volunteer when they need one.

Quote

“To give a child a CASA volunteer is to give them a voice.  To give them a voice is to give them hope, and to give them hope is to give them the world.” 

- Pamela, a former youth in foster care

Personal Success Story

In 2016, CASA Lynn met 13-year-old Claudia, a sweet, soft-spoken young girl. At the time, Claudia struggled in school, missed her siblings, and was adapting to a new placement. CASA Lynn quickly formed a close bond with Claudia, sharing their love for going out to eat chicken wings. Understanding Claudia’s needs, CASA Lynn stepped in to ensure Claudia had everything she needed to thrive. For instance, when Claudia was having difficulty with math, CASA Lynn advocated for her to receive a math tutor. She also worked to increase Claudia’s visits with her siblings, which helped alleviate her feelings of loneliness. As Claudia formed family connections while in foster care, CASA Lynn also supported her in contacting her mother and grandmother and helped her create healthy relationships with them as she continued to grow.

Having been in each other’s lives for over a few years, Claudia and CASA Lynn spent time together every other weekend, enjoying going to the arcade, seeing movies, and eating wings. As Claudia started her senior year of high school, she was on track to graduate, striving to pursue a career in criminal justice. CASA Lynn was there by her side for all of it, including when the city recognized Claudia for her service in the community as a mentor and tutor for middle school students through a school club she was active in. CASA Lynn also celebrated Claudia’s college acceptance letters to multiple universities by doing their favorite thing: eating wings!

Together, they worked on her plans to attend college, obtain a part-time job, and participate in extended foster care. Claudia then faced new and adverse challenges with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She had to adapt to an abrupt change in placement, transition to online learning, and cope with limited contact with her family. CASA Lynn remained steadfast throughout it all, supporting Claudia in every way possible. She was there to see Claudia virtually graduate from high school in the spring of 2020 and complete her first year in college. Despite the restrictions, they maintained a close connection, and when it was safe to resume outings, they continued their cherished tradition of going out to eat wings.

Today, Claudia stands as a shining example of resilience and personal growth. She demonstrates financial responsibility, advocates for herself with confidence, and cultivates strong connections with her family and community. Claudia’s journey toward independent living and achieving self-sufficiency is a testament to the transformative power of CASA Lynn’s unwavering support, a bond that has endured for eight years. 

Personal Success Story

Seven-year-old Tai* and his family sought asylum in the United States and immigrated in 2019. Due to a history of domestic violence, a family maintenance case was opened in 2020, which ultimately granted full custody to Tai’s father in 2022. At that point, his mother was no longer involved in his life. Later that year, Tai was abandoned by his father and left alone in their apartment. Frightened and unsure of what to do, Tai reached out to a family friend, who arranged for him to stay with them while efforts were made to locate his father. The family friend cared for Tai for a little while. However, because of the emotional and physical abuse he had experienced for years, Tai had developed aggressive behavioral challenges that they felt unequipped to manage in the long term. With no known whereabouts of his parents, Tai entered foster care.

At just age 11, Tai had his whole life uprooted and turned upside down after being abandoned by both of his parents and now adjusting to living in foster care. At first, Tai struggled to live with other youth in foster care, often having his things taken, getting involved in fights, and being bullied because of his race. Tai also experienced communication challenges due to his limited proficiency in the English language. Then Tai met his Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Brian. When CASA Brian first met Tai, he did not want to talk and had little interest in going outside. Tai didn’t have many hobbies at the time because, for so long, his main priority was simply to survive. CASA Brian slowly introduced the idea of different outings they could go on to try new foods. Tai was hesitant but slowly gained more confidence as he spent more time with CASA Brian. Tai and CASA Brian share the same cultural background, so he introduced him to traditional foods he had never tried. Tai enjoyed the new foods and now asks to return for one of his favorites, Pho.

While Tai was more open to trying new foods, he still was hesitant to do any activities outside, as he had never really spent time outdoors and did not think he would like it. Nonetheless, CASA Brian continued to share different outing opportunities. Then, one day in the summer, Tai asked CASA Brian if they could go to the San Diego Zoo. CASA Brian worked with Voices for Children to obtain tickets, as this was the first time Tai had wanted to do an outdoor activity since he had met him. They had a great day together, and Tai showed fantastic growth, being open to such a new experience and showing curiosity and interest in new things. Since then, CASA Brian and Tai have attended other outdoor events and recently had a memorable experience riding multiple roller coasters at LEGOLAND.

Tai continues to blossom in his interactions with others. He shows genuine excitement about activities outside his comfort zone and keeps an open mind when forming friendships with his peers. Tai’s significant school improvement, his confidence to ask more questions in class, and his academic excellence are all signs of his progress. His journey is a testament to the positive changes that can occur with the right support and guidance.

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