This year, an estimated 4,000 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.
Founded in 1980, Voices for Children transforms the lives of children in foster care by providing them with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). These community volunteers – trained and supported by Voices for Children – advocate for youth in court, school, medical settings, and more to ensure their needs are met. The organization, which serves both Riverside and San Diego 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.
Community members can make a life-changing impact on a child by participating in Voices for Children’s inaugural “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 100 local youth in foster care currently on Voices for Children’s wait list who are in immediate need of a CASA volunteer.
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.
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 served more than 3,400 children in foster care across San Diego and Riverside Counties. For more information, visit www.speakupnow.org.
