I have volunteered with Voices for Children Riverside for 5 years and have thoroughly appreciated their commitment to guiding CASA's to be the best advocate for our foster youth. Their level of expertise in navigating the court's system, social workers and connecting the kids to resources is top notch. My supervisor is a consistent guide to me as I walk alongside my assigned youth through their time in foster care.
With every case I am assigned I am always blown away at the resiliency, strength and joy of the youth as well as their families and support systems. It is truly a gift to me to be allowed the privilege to come along side kiddos in my community who find themselves in a difficult season.
I started volunteering for Voices for Children three and a half years ago. From the start I have been extremely impressed with the support advocacy supervisors provide us, enabling us to be the best advocate we can for our case children. They are always available for questions, practical help and emotional support. The staff is deeply knowledgeable about the foster care system, the relevant rules and best practices when working with foster youth. The training and continuing education provided for us is not only of great quality, but relevant and engaging. The work is important, and the structure and staff of Voices for Children make it possible.
I started my journey with Voices for Children 3 years ago. I had read an article in the Press Enterprise that they needed to train more Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster children. I took the classes and was certified. What I learned in the process is how detailed and thorough the entire organization is about taking care of our most vulnerable children. Everything from their training, role playing, videos, practice court reports, supervisors and continuing education they are on it, all of it. I also learned that our court system, our child services system, and all of those involved in the care of these children are the most dedicated and compassionate group of people that I have had the pleasure of knowing. This is an organization that deals with heartbreak on a daily basis and yet anyone that you may talk to at VFC is upbeat and handles every problem in a kind and loving way.
Being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a child in the foster care system is a highly rewarding and engaging volunteer role. It provides valuable insights into the social service system while offering the opportunity to profoundly impact a child's life. As a CASA, you accompany them through every step of their journey within the system, liaising with their attorney, social worker, foster family, and teachers. Your role involves advocating for their needs and spending quality time with them through enjoyable activities. It's truly a fulfilling position where your contributions are valued, especially through writing court reports that directly influence their legal proceedings.
Voices For Children is a wonderful. I am a CASA for them and everyone is so kind and nice. They organize and help the volunteer CASA’S meet the needs of foster care children for Riverside Co. I encourage anyone reading this to google CASA and read about the program and see how you can impact a foster child’s life.
I have volunteered with Voices for Children since 2008, both in San Diego and Riverside Counties. I could not recommend this organization more for those seeking a meaningful volunteer opportunity. Voices for Children consistently seeks dedicated, consistent, caring volunteers to journey with and advocate for youth in foster care. These children are in foster care due to no fault of their own. Most have been neglected, and others abused and/or abandoned. For the youth we serve, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers often serve as the one consistent person in the youth's life. Being removed from one's home (parent(s), sibling(s), bedroom, schools, familiar foods, routines, etc.) is traumatizing. By connecting to caregivers, social service professionals, educators, therapists, attorneys, and most importantly by listening to the impacted youth, CASAs learn what the youth needs to maximize their quality of life and can advocate for them and elevate their voices and concerns to the court.
Watching the children I have worked with over the years learn, grow, thrive, and become more confident has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have learned so much from the youth I have worked with over the years and I am grateful to be in contact with most of them years later!
You do not need to know anything about the Foster Care System when applying for this volunteer opportunity. Voices for Children offers a comprehensive Advocate University (40-hour course) and ongoing continuing education, as well as a paid staff supervisor to guide you and answer any questions you might have. If you care about these vulnerable youth in our community (ages 0 - 21) and can commit ~10 hours a month to volunteering, I recommend going to www.speakupnow.org to learn more! If 10 hours/month is not possible for you, please consider a financial donation to this organization, or support in any number of other ways. Your interest is greatly appreciated.
All of the staff I have worked with over the past 16 years have been dedicated, hard-working, and knowledgeable. These employees strive to meet the needs of as many youth in foster care as possible. This could not be achieved without the generous support of the hundreds of CASA Volunteers.