As summer unfolds, youth in our community are facing more challenges than ever, especially those who are part of LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. Every day, our Advocates show up with open hearts, listening, supporting, and standing by their side. These young people continue to inspire us with their resilience, determination, and hope for the future.
We have reached the end of our fiscal year and, despite recent challenges, celebrate surpassing the goals in our strategic plan. We remain on track to become among the first CASA programs in California to offer an Advocate to every eligible youth in both the dependency and juvenile justice systems who wants one. Our Juvenile Justice Program continues to lead the way, currently serving a large percentage of all eligible youth in the county, with other communities now reaching out to learn how our model can be adapted. And youth waited no more than 30 days on average to be matched, a tremendous milestone. Thank you for standing with us as we expand our impact and reach more youth with the support they deserve.
But our greatest successes often show up in quieter, more personal moments. This quarter a CASA Advocate brought a little boy and his sibling to the CASA house to celebrate his fifth birthday with cupcakes, a giant tub of Legos, and lots of playtime, including hours of building and a visit to the park across the street. The day was filled with joy, laughter, and the kind of memory every child deserves. That same spirit of connection and celebration was present in April during our annual CASA Eggstravaganza, where families enjoyed crafts, games, sweet treats, and a lively egg hunt. Both moments reflect the care and belonging CASA aims to create for every child we serve.
In May, two of our remarkable Advocates, Michele McKee and Brenda Guzman, were honored at the Volunteer Center’s Be the Difference Awards. Their many years of service have made a lasting impact on the lives of children and families navigating the foster care system.
May also brought difficult news. The state of California did not renew CASA funding. This was exceptionally disappointing because we deliver services to those in the care of the state with receiving very little financial support. We were deeply moved, however, by the response from our local community. Many of you called your state representatives and voiced your support. We are especially grateful to Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and Senator John Laird for standing with CASA during this critical time. While some lawmakers may have not prioritized this funding, your advocacy reminded us that we are not alone, and that our shared commitment to children and youth is strong.
Despite this setback, we are well underway in developing our next 3-year strategic plan. This plan will guide our services and vision as we continue to grow and deepen our impact. If you would like to help shape CASA’s future, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can build a plan that reflects the heart and strength of our entire community.
And now for some numbers.
This quarter, we served 126 children, 35 children of whom were newly assigned, waiting only an average of 16.7 days from referral to match.
· 28 were aged 0-5
· 17 were aged 6-11
· 73 were aged 12-18
· 8 were over 18 years old
· 60% of children and youth served this quarter were Hispanic or Latino.
· 62% were in Dependency Care, 35% were in Juvenile Justice, and 2% were in both (dual status) 3
Mark your calendar for Imagine! on September 20 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the beautiful Sesnon House at Cabrillo College. Invitations will be mailed in the coming weeks. Please join us for an afternoon filled with celebration, connection, and community as we honor the incredible children and families we serve.
