For Veterans Day, Voices for Children, an organization that recruits and trains caring volunteers, known as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to provide guidance and support services for youth in foster care is honoring its CASA volunteers who have served in the armed forces, including Ariella, a Riverside County CASA volunteer.
From being called to serve at a young age to applying their life skills and dedicating their time to support children in foster care, they are dedicated CASAs who have been making a profound impact since joining Voices for Children.
Ariella is a Riverside County CASA and a United States Air Force First Sergeant whose primary function is ensuring a mission-ready force. Ariella first heard about Voices for Children through a friend who recommended that she become a CASA. It did not take long for her to feel that same calling to service; in this case, to help the vulnerable children in the foster care system. She has been a CASA with Voices for Children since March 2020. As she rose through the military ranks, she realized the importance of advocating for her troops and their families, and now she uses this skill set to advocate for children in foster care.
Within her time as a CASA, Ariella has served two youths, being a beacon of support, empathy, and dedication. Being there for young teenage girls in both cases, Ariella has gained their trust, taking the time to get to know them. She makes every effort and uses every resource available to advocate for their best interests.
From compiling a detailed report to the Court that contributes to a successful reunification to advocating for consistent monthly visits to reinvigorate a sibling bond to holding educational rights for her assigned youth, serving as the point person for the youth’s academic needs, Ariella does it all.
“The experience of being a CASA is special. Despite the highs and lows, my case child means the world to me, and I’m grateful to be a friend and mentor to her. Serving as a CASA aligns perfectly with my military ideology.” —CASA Ariella
To learn more about becoming a CASA or donating to the program, visit speakupnow.org.
BOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN
Founded in 1980, Voices for Children (VFC) transforms the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties by providing them with trained, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care in court, school, and the community to ensure their needs are met. VFC believes every child deserves a safe and permanent home and strives to provide a CASA volunteer to every child in the foster care system who needs one. Last year, VFC CASAs and staff provided direct advocacy to nearly 2,300 youth in foster care across San Diego and Riverside Counties as well as case monitoring services to hundreds of other children in foster care who might need an advocate in the future. For more information, visit speakupnow.org.
