Hello and welcome to summer and our quarterly update for April-June 2026. Lynne is out on a well-deserved summer break, so we are pleased to share a few highlights from the final quarter of our fiscal year.
For the past two summers, CASA has helped a mother send her son to summer camp, giving him the chance to make friends, try new activities, and create joyful memories outside the classroom. The boy’s Advocate has remained a steady presence in their lives, someone the family can turn to for encouragement and support. Their relationship reflects the lasting difference an Advocate can make by continuing to show up long after formal court involvement ends.
That spirit of commitment was celebrated in May, when CASA Advocate Britney Holeman and the women of the UCSC Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta were honored at the Volunteer Center’s Be the Difference Awards. Their recognition was richly deserved, and we are thankful for the time, care, and dedication they bring to our community.
In June, Pride Month offered another opportunity to affirm the values that guide our work. LGBTQ+ children and youth are overrepresented in both foster care and the juvenile justice system, making affirming support especially important for the young people CASA serves. Every child deserves trusted adults who listen, celebrate who they are, and help ensure they feel safe, respected, and valued.
We were grateful to spend time with so many people who make CASA’s work possible this quarter. At our spring party at the CASA House, children and families enjoyed Easter egg hunting, cupcakes, and games. MOVE for CASA brought supporters together for a hike at Elkhorn Slough in support of our mission. In June, we celebrated our Advocates at the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, gathering in the spirit of aloha over Hawaiian food, music, and wonderful company.
The quarter also ended with encouraging news from Sacramento. A year ago, as we have mentioned, the State of California eliminated funding for CASA programs, creating tremendous uncertainty across the state and impacting our local program here in Santa Cruz County. Your support helped sustain our work during that difficult period, which makes the recently signed state budget especially meaningful. The budget fully restores $20 million for California’s 44 local CASA programs. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who contacted their state representatives and spoke up for CASA. This restoration represents an important victory, though continued advocacy will remain essential to securing funding for years to come.
Last quarter, we served 121 children:
- 17% were aged 0-5
- 20% were aged 6-11
- 72% were aged 12-18
- 18% were over the age of 18
- 54% of children and youth served this quarter were Hispanic or Latino.
- 53% were in Dependency Care, 36% were in Juvenile Justice, 7% were in Truancy Court, and 4% were in more than one court (dual status)
- 17 were newly assigned, with a median wait of 37 days from referral to match
Lastly, be sure to join us for Imagine! on August 8th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the beautiful Sesnon House at Cabrillo College. Don’t miss an afternoon of celebration, connection, and community as we honor the incredible children and families we serve and a very special graduation. Tickets now on sale! www.casaofsantacruz.org/imagine
From all of us at CASA, thank you for standing with the children and families we serve and for sharing our belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive. To learn more about what this next fiscal year will bring, please reach out to schedule a visit to the CASA House.
