“Your Voice, Their Future” campaign to recruit volunteers to advocate for vulnerable children in foster care
This year, an estimated 4,500 children will spend time in foster care in Riverside County after experiencing abuse or neglect. They are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Once they enter the dependency system, their world suddenly includes court hearings, social workers, attorneys, and often new homes and schools. They need someone to step up and speak up for them during what can be a scary and challenging time. The organization, which serves both San Diego and Riverside Counties, is issuing a call for these special volunteers who often become the most consistent adult in the life of a child in foster care.
Founded in 1980, Voices for Children transforms the lives of children in foster care by providing them with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASA volunteers are everyday community members – trained and supported by Voices for Children – who advocate for children in the child welfare system. They form a relationship with the children and become acquainted with everyone involved in their lives, such as their parents, family, teachers, and therapists so that they can make informed recommendations to the court.
Community members can make a life-changing impact on a child by participating in Voices for Children’s annual “Your Voice, Their Future” volunteer recruitment campaign. The campaign, taking place now through May 1 (National Foster Care Awareness Month), aims to recruit new CASAs to serve 150 local youth in foster care currently on Voices for Children’s wait list who are in immediate need of a CASA volunteer. Last year’s campaign provided 204 vulnerable children in foster care across San Diego and Riverside Counties with an advocate who ensured these children are safe, their needs are met, and their voice is being heard while they are in foster care.
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and have a variety of backgrounds and experiences. They are big-hearted community members with a heart for service who are willing to take the time to get to know a child living in foster and to advocate for their best interests. Voices for Children is currently in high need of male and Spanish-speaking advocates.
Members of the public are encouraged to learn more and take action for local children in foster care in the following ways:
- Volunteer. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are critically needed to speak for children in court. Learn more about the requirements to become a CASA volunteer by signing up for an Info Session here.
- Recommend a friend (or two!) to become a CASA by filling out the short form at speakupnow.org/recommend. It takes just five minutes!
ABOUT 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.
