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Voices for Children

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Voices for Children Voices for Children Voices for Children Voices for Children Voices for Children

Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Adult & Child Matching Programs, Children & Youth, Domestic Violence, Family Violence Shelters, Foster Care, Homeless & Housing

Mission: Voices for Children transforms the lives of abused, abandoned, or neglected children by providing them with trained, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).

Target demographics: Children age 0 to 21 who are living in foster care.

Direct beneficiaries per year: Last year, Voices for Children provided advocacy, case monitoring, or case assessment services to more than 3,700 children in San Diego County, and provided a CASA to 320 children in Riverside County.

Geographic areas served: San Diego and Riverside Counties

Programs: Voices for Children serves children in foster care who have been removed from their homes for their own safety due to abuse or neglect and need a supportive adult in their lives. We are the only local organization approved by the court to match each child with a volunteer, called a Court Appointed Special Advocate (or CASA), who gets to know their situation and makes sure their needs are being met. Over time, a CASA often becomes the only consistent person in the child’s life. At regular court hearings required for all foster children, our CASAs report on the children’s progress and needs, which is essential for judges to make the best decisions for their futures.

Community Stories

3 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

3

Volunteer

Rating: 2

Management that runs volunteer CASA program structured to the point of myopia. If you fit their predetermined profile you will do fine. I went through their series of orientation training (30 hours!), background checks, etc but I felt the management saw me as a detriment to their enterprise. I'm outgoing, hard working, and run projects for kids as career. The main trainer was condescending in her demeanor. Maybe I asked too many questions about process but it was clear they didn't want my help. Too bad as there are too many kids in system that need help and advocates.

1

Volunteer

Rating: 5

I am a volunteer for Voices and it is fantastic. They are highly organized, communication is great and I am paired with a supervisor who is there to support me at every step of the way should I need it. The work we do is very important and the training is very comprehensive. I would highly recommend this organization to others who wish to be involved with the local community or who wish to donate their money/resources.

1 Jody17

General Member of the Public

Rating: 4

Having taken the time to go to one of the program's orientations, I found it to be very necessary. As I listened, I realized that this program is probably the best friend a child in the fostercare program could hope for. As a child of a very disfunctional family, I was placed into the fostercare program on a couple of occassions and for the most part it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me and my siblings. I know how scary going into fostercare is and I wish that more states would follow this program's lead for the benefit of the children. I also feel that this program gives the child a sense of importance and personal value. Although young children may not understand the dynamics of the program, they are better off having a voice there to speak for them and having a voice means fewer kids are falling through the cracks. I feel that when someone is looking out for these kids, the likelyhood of them failing to grow up and become productive members of society is less than if they had no voice at all. I feel that anyone who values our kids and wants them to grow up happy and strong, should do their part to ensure this. Our fostercare programs in this country are doing their best with what little money is available through government funding and so having charitable support can in most cases make a very positive difference. Even if you cannot contribute monetarily, think about giving time. Money is only half of this program's needs, the other half is the need for people who have the time to help. So if your looking for a great charity to give to finacially, this is one of the best. If you have time to spare, this charity needs you. There is nothing in my opinion more gratifying than helping a child. I hope that many of you reading this feel the same as I do.

Review from CharityNavigator