September 2018
ONE FACT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
71% of our CASA 3 to 5 year olds are enrolled in preschool. This compares to to just 23% for all preschool age foster children in Santa Clara County.
"My CASA child loves the library and book store, and we frequently attend both!”

- CASA volunteer
News
Golf Event Raises More than $160,000
Child Advocates of Silicon Valleys’ 13th Annual Golf Classic raised more than $160,000 to benefit foster youth in Santa Clara County. At the tournament, we also honored Los Altos Hills resident and former Board Member Jeff Richardson with the Walter “Skip” Shaw Inspiration Award for his philanthropic work in the community.

On hand to present the award was Child Advocates' Board Member and Golf Committee Chair Michael O'Leary and Child Advocates' Executive Director Karen Scussel.
CASA Helps Foster Youth Recognize Her Potential
Molly Ganoza is now in her senior year at San Jose State University. But when she was 15, Molly faced an uncertain future when she was pulled from an unsafe home environment and placed in foster care. Unlike most foster youth, Molly’s life is a success story of resiliency and perseverance. She beat the odds that most foster care youth face as they emerge as young adults: fewer than 50% of foster youth graduate high school, only 10% attend college and less than 2% graduate.

Playing a key role in Molly’s life has been Midori Adams, Molly’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). 
Upcoming Events
Theta Breakers Run for the Children, Oct. 28th
Lace-up your sneakers and get ready for the 33rd Annual Theta Breakers Run for the Children! Hundreds of people join in the 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run around the beautiful Stanford campus. All proceeds benefit Child Advocates!

When: Sunday, Oct. 28th, 2018
Where: Stanford University Pac-12 Plaza
Time: Race starts at 9:00 am

Can't attend the race? You can still help the Theta's reach their goal by making a donation here
Community
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although suicide can happen to any family, foster youth are at higher risk for attempting or considering suicide.

According to the National Conference of State Legislature, up to 80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental health issues, compared to approximately 18-22 percent of the population. Many foster youth have experienced trauma, recurrent transitions, broken family relationships and inadequate access to medical services which lead to mental and physical health problems.

KQED recently published an article on how trauma, abuse and neglect in childhood connects to serious disease in adults.
CASA Volunteer Helps Facilitate Grant
Cindy Wilson enjoys giving back to her community. When the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) learned about a grant opportunity at Palo Alto Networks where she works, she jumped at the chance to nominate Child Advocates.
 
Cindy contacted Child Advocates to help her complete the application. A few months later, Child Advocates was awarded a $5,000 grant.
 
“I would encourage other CASAs who work at companies to see if they can apply for a grant to help fund Child Advocates’ programs. To me it’s pretty simple: If you’re volunteering your time why not raise funds for the organization to make it more impactful?”
Take Action
Invite a Friend to Become a CASA
Do you know someone who would make a great CASA volunteer? Invite them to learn more about our CASA program!

Our next Info Session is Monday, October 1, at the San Jose Sobrato Center for Nonprofits. Additional days are available so check out our Info Session schedule here!

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Child Advocates - CASA of Silicon Valley