San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate Program

February is Black History Month , and in honor of this, we’d like to talk to you about Black children in foster care. 2020 highlighted to all of us that we still have a lot of work to do to achieve equality and eradicate systemic racism. In the foster care system, we see Black children enter the dependency system at much higher rates than children of other races in proportion to the general population. We are aware of this and working as a CASA organization to get to the root of it and hopefully make change. In tandem, we are also trying especially hard to recruit Black volunteers. Will you help us spread the word that we are looking for diversity in our volunteer base?

"Kids in the foster care system are some of the most vulnerable and neglected people in America. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) trains volunteer advocates to ensure that every child’s voice is heard. These children need help, and in your free time you can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Nicholas Kristof, New York Times Op-Ed Columnist. To learn more about volunteering in San Francisco, visit www.helpfosterchildren.com https://www.nytimes.com//charitable-holiday-gift-guide.htm

Our CASA volunteers always step in where they can to help, and we are so grateful: My CASA child’s foster mom is so grateful that I sometimes take her to medical appointments. It certainly is above and beyond what is required of CASA volunteers but there is already so much on her foster mom’s plate, I try to provide extra help whenever possible. It’s truly been eye opening how impacted the dependency system is. Foster parents, attorneys, and social workers have such large caseloads you really see the importance of CASA volunteers.

Yesterday we brought back one of the ads that we ran amidst the first wave of the pandemic. Today we’d like to remind you of the other. Thank you for watching and sharing and reminding people of the importance of CASA volunteers.

As we continue on in 2021, hopeful that this will be the year the pandemic comes to an end, we’d like to remind you of an ad we ran on TV and social media amidst the first wave of infections. It was meant to be a reminder of how our CASA volunteers still needed, perhaps more than ever, to help children in foster care.

CASA volunteers are facilitators. Here is a perfect example of that: I know that my main job as a CASA is to be in tune with and responsive to my CASA child’s needs. For example, I once noticed that one of my CASA children was having similar issues to what my previous CASA youth had gone through as a foster child so I immediately connected them. It was one of the most beautiful conversations I’ve ever witnessed. I don’t always have the answers but I try to facilitate as much as I can, and that day it worked really well.

This quote from a local volunteer says it all: My last CASA child had four social workers and five placements, yet through it all she had one CASAme.

What was your inspiration for becoming a CASA volunteer? Here’s one reason why a local volunteer took on the role: My late father was severely neglected as a child, and I wanted to make an impact in an area where I wish more were available to children like him decades ago kind of a full-circle thing.

Nicholas Kristoff wrote about becoming a CASA in a New York Times holiday gift guide, called Choose a Gift That Saves Lives. Just because the holidays have passed, it doesn’t mean you can’t still give that gift or learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer. Read his piece here:

Another inspiring quote from a former foster youth who went on to become a CASA volunteer: "Some of the people I went through CASA training with were worried that they might mess something up or not know what to do. The whole reason I signed up to be a volunteer was because I vividly remember how lonely and scary it felt when I was in foster care. I felt like I was the one being punished for things that my parents had done. I know this isn't true now, but back then I felt like nobody was on my side. When you sign up to be a CASA, you get to tell a kid that you are going to be the one who is always by their side. And in the end, that is the only thing you need to do." - CASA volunteer

Today we’d like to share with you a CASA storybook called Sea of Strangers. In it, Nora experiences a courtroom that is busy and confusing, but with the help of a CASA volunteer life doesn’t have to seem so strange . Please watch and share.

Like many events in 2020, Halloween looks a lot different this year. How are you celebrating safely today? Can we see some costume pics? Comment below!

As we enter 2021, what do you hope is ahead? We sincerely hope that this pandemic will be brought to an end with mitigation and vaccination in a way that’s equitable to allincluding children in our dependency system. We also hope that schools can be safely and consistently open, as they are safety nets for many of our foster children. In the meantime, we are so grateful for the efforts our CASA volunteers have made to help their foster children stay connected and get the resources they need. CASAs have been a safety net for foster children for several decades, but this past year elevated their importance even more. Thank you to ALL of our CASA volunteers and those who support them.

Thank you to all the donors who supported SFCASA this December, ensuring we received the full $20,000 matching grant from the Fremont Group Foundation! With your support we'll be training one of our largest classes ever of new CASA volunteers later this month, and hope to train more than 140 new CASAs to match with foster youth this year. Wishing a safe, healthy 2021 for all of you!

Yesterday we reminded you of the impact that CASA volunteers have on the outcomes of CASA kids. Here is another example: It’s amazing how many times I’ve witnessed decisions being made over financial or organizational interests on behalf of CASA youth. I understand why it happens, but I am in the position to stand up as an unpaid volunteer and say, ‘I know this child well, this is not in his best interest, and here are all the reasons why.’ During times like this I realize that I have a lot of power to make a true difference for a child who would otherwise be misrepresented or misplaced because the dependency system is just so impacted.

CASA volunteers are instrumental in guiding the outcomes of their youth. Here is a simple example of how seriously their work is taken: The judge always asks for the CASA volunteer’s input and I know it’s taken seriously.

From a CASA volunteer, But here’s the upside. You are the only person who is guaranteed to be with your foster child from the time you start until the case is closed. The child I'm currently supporting has several social workers, sometimes changing monthly. Somebody who is consistent has so much to offer. It is so important, and there is nothing quite like knowing that you helped a child through one of the most confusing and lonely times in their life.

It may be Halloween week, but CASA volunteers don't need to wear costumes. They may look like ordinary people, but the work they do is extraordinary. Here is an example from a former foster youth: He would do things with me like take me out to eat or take me to the movies. I know this seems like normal stuff but it was completely missing from my life once I entered foster care. www.HelpFosterChildren.com

Congratulations to Rob for earning straight A's for the first time ever! His CASA has been visiting regularly, playing games and talking about his interests and how they relate to school. She's also connected with his teacher and helped him think through strategies to focus during virtual school sessions, where he had been struggling. Great work Rob!

Give the gift of joy this holiday season! SFCASA's holiday gift drive is in full swing, and you can make the holidays special for kids in foster care this challenging year. With SFCASA's gift registry you can purchase individually requested gifts, stocking stuffers, gift cards, and even holiday meal gift cards so families can celebrate the season! https://www.myregistry.com//san-francisco/2525762/giftlist

The child I support as a CASA is in a great home where she is going to be adopted. I know she is doing well because recently she was walking with me and she saw an airplane. She pointed it out to me, smiled and watched it. That was the first time I’d ever seen her relaxed and enjoying things like a child should. I know it seems simple but that is why it is so impactfulfoster children have had so much hardship and uncertainty in their lives, they truly forget how to just be a kid. #CASA www.HelpFosterChildren.com

We constantly recruit for CASA volunteers of diverse backgrounds. The value of that is perfectly illustrated below: I felt called to serve someone very similar to me. I chose a female teenager who is also Latina. We found that we had a lot in common right away. Not only did we come from similar backgrounds, we both like being out and about, we like similar music and dancing, and spending some of our free time watching shows on Netflix. She is comfortable opening up to me.

When she was placed locally (we were lucky, as most SF kids are placed out of town), we went to story time every week at the library . She was shy at first and then one week she burst out into song and dance. It was so great to see her open up that way and come out of her shell. She loves puzzles and books and is just fascinated with the library. I want to give her as many early preschool experiences as I can because she starts kindergarten next year.

Being a CASA is so tangible. I take her to get an ice cream cone and immediately there is a connection and shared experience with a child who really needs it. I get instant feedback, and I am grateful to have found this way to volunteer my time. www.HelpFosterChildren.com

We can’t wait until we hear about these types of experiences again. Going to sporting events together is a common way our CASAs and their CASA kiddos used to connect with one another. He had no idea how baseball worked so I was trying to explain all the rules to him first. Then we went and got cotton candy and popcorn. I’ll never forget him sitting in his seat, eating cotton candy, and with a big smile exclaiming, ‘I feel like a king.’ It was a bittersweet experience to see him so happy to experience a baseball game and cotton candy because for most kids, stuff like that is commonplace. #GoGiants

It wasn’t until I became a CASA volunteer that I realized how simple it is to be there for someone who needs it. It makes a huge difference to just be there for someone regularly. www.HelpFosterChildren.com

Being a CASA is an amazing experience. I loved listening to my CASA child talk to me about simple things like school and how his day went. I know a lot of people get nervous about the time commitment but it is something that just comes naturally. The visits I had with my CASA child quickly became a highlight of my week.