Voices for Children

Don't waste your time. There are many organizations out there who will love and value you and your time. I started to volunteer with this organization, and it was the most insulting experience I have ever came across. I did close to all of the work and assignments told aside of 2, we as a group of trainees were told that we would get a follow up email individually on anything lingering. As I waited for Jaimes follow up email she gaslighted me instead and made it seem as if I was not interested and then questioning my ability to follow through. I went through weeks of training giving 3 hours twice weekly, reached out to 3 people to use as for a reference, went to dmv for my printout, did 2 over an hour interviews, paid money out of my own pocket to drive to pacific beach to get my fingerprints scan, and sent emails in a timely manner to communicate. With all that said. Jamie continued to question my interest in the program. I reachedout to her direct supervior to give feed back and her Supervisor Jenna who was also condescending to me when it came to me voicing my concern about my interaction with Jamie. If she's been so supportive to others and followed up with others and did not gaslight others it makes me feel that it has to do with my race! There is no reason why she should not have shown me support or gratitude
For my time and all I have done. I was one of the only Hispanics in my group and I was the only one they were treating poorly for no reason.

Even more so to think that if the bigger picture is to help a child and that was something they were truly concerned for they would be going above and beyond to make that happen instead they both treated me like I was less than.

My advice is to volunteer your precious time with and organization and people who value and support you.
Good luck out there to all of you amazing people who do volunteer work...

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.

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.

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.