News Release
Contact:
Jennifer Morrissey, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Voices for Children
Phone: (858) 598-2213, Email: jenniferm@speakupnow.org
Voices for Children Announces Upcoming Volunteer
Info Sessions for Future Foster Child Advocates
(January 16, 2013) San Diego — In an effort to recruit more Court Appointed Special Advocates for San Diego County’s foster children, Voices for Children is pleased to invite County residents to attend one of several upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions, including a special “Meet the CASAs” panel presentation.
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, help the Juvenile Dependency Court determine and implement decisions that are in the best interests of their assigned foster children, advocating for them in the courtroom as well as in the classroom and community. With a “Serve Every Child” vision to expand the CASA program and reduce the number of children on the CASA waiting list, Voices for Children is asking the community to step forward and be a voice for one of the 5,000+ children in San Diego County’s foster care system.
The upcoming Information Session dates and times are as follows:
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| Wednesday | January 30 | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Kearny Mesa |
| Saturday | February 2 | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Kearny Mesa |
| Wednesday Saturday Wednesday |
February 20 March 2 March 13 |
5:30 to 7 p.m. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
Kearny Mesa Cardiff |
For location and to reserve a space, please call Susan Smith, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, at 858-598-2235 or e-mail Susan at susans@speakupnow.org.
Attending an Information Session is the first step to becoming a CASA volunteer. Topics covered include why CASA volunteers are so important, the requirements for becoming a CASA, what a CASA does, training, case child assignments, conflicts of interest, and other important points. The session will conclude with a CASA guest speaker.
The Jan. 30 Information Session will include a panel of active CASA volunteers who will share their experiences with Voices for Children, its CASA training program, and the foster children for whom they advocate. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet these CASAs and to ask them questions. Light refreshments will be served.
CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, have a valid California’s driver license, and clear a criminal background check. They must also be willing to commit to a minimum of 18 months of CASA service.
“CASAs are remarkable people,” said Sharon Lawrence, President and CEO of Voices for Children. “These volunteers are ‘regular’ men and women. They’re students, working people, retired people … all thoroughly trained to help make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected foster children. CASAs can often accomplish what case-laden lawyers and social workers cannot, cutting through red tape to fully assess and address a child’s situation. We urge members of the San Diego community to share our ‘Serve Every Child’ vision, to open their hearts, and to sign up for an info session today.”
ABOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN
For an abused or neglected child, a Court Appointed Special Advocate—a CASA volunteer—is someone who listens, reaching out to teachers, social workers, lawyers, caregivers, judges and anyone else who can help meet the child’s needs. The sole mission of a CASA is to help clear a path for a child out of the complex, overburdened child welfare system and into a safe, permanent home. Founded in 1980, Voices for Children has recruited, trained and supervised CASAs who advocate for the rights and well-being of the more than 5,000 children who pass through foster care in San Diego County annually. As the only agency in San Diego County designated by the courts to provide CASA volunteers, Voices for Children has a vision called “Serve Every Child”: to provide by 2016 a CASA to every foster child who needs one. For more information about Voices for Children, to inquire about becoming a CASA volunteer, or to make a donation, visit www.speakupnow.org or call (858) 569–2019.
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Voices for Children: A Four-Star Charity After careful review, www.charitynavigator.org awarded its highest ranking of four stars to Voices for Children. Being nationally designated as a Four Star Charity Navigator Organization is an assurance of the highest level of financial stewardship of contributions to VFC. |
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