Note from the Executive Director | |
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Dear CASAs,
We truly can’t thank you enough for the impactful difference you make in the lives of the youth you serve. What better time to try, though, than April, which is National Volunteer Month.
We are very grateful that you choose to share the gift of your time to advocate for youth who really need you. In doing so, you not only provide them with a caring, dependable adult, you center the focus on their needs and hopes for the future. We are inspired every day by your tireless dedication. We are so honored to support your service to our community.
With appreciation, always,
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Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS
Executive Director, Riverside County
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The F Word: A Foster-to-Adopt Story
Watch the journey unfold in this short comedic docuseries about one queer couple's journey to parenthood through the foster-to-adoption process. Along the way, they seek out advice from other foster-to-adopt families and expand their search in ways they never imagined.
If you have watched this docuseries at any point after July 1, 2022, please alert your supervisor to be credited with 6 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!
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Featured Case of the Month | |
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We are looking for a seasoned African American, female CASA who would be willing to help Jada who is at Youth Treatment Education Center (YTEC) in Riverside. Because YTEC is a probation facility she is not able to go out on outings.
Jada is 16 years old and would really like to have a CASA, someone to visit just her. She believes her mother puts her boyfriend first and Jada feels abandoned. She often acts out, likely because of these feelings.
If you are interested in learning more about Jada, or taking another case, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor.
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New Staff Member Shoutout | |
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Please join us in welcoming our newest VFC team member, Bernadette Kovak! Bernadette will be taking on the role of Administrative Assistant in our Riverside office and we are excited about the passion she has for our mission. Here are some words from Bernadette:
"I am new to nonprofit work but have always wanted to do something that involves helping children, whether it be directly or indirectly. As a single mother to 4 children, that never received child support, it was scary to leave what I knew and what I was certain could pay all our bills. Now that my children are grown, there are so many things I can do without the worries of being able to support a family of 5 on my single income. Finding this position and being able to do something that makes me feel so fulfilled is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. I am so happy to be joining Voices for Children and look forward to being a part of something that is making a difference in our community."
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Today, there are hundreds of children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties waiting for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer to speak up for them. Tomorrow, more youth will enter the foster care system.
You can help create a brighter future for them, today! Help us move 100 vulnerable youths off our waitlist from now until May, which is National Foster Care Month.
As a supporter of Voices for Children, you know the profound impact a CASA can make on a child in foster care. We invite you to take five minutes and recommend a caring friend, family member, or co-worker to become a CASA volunteer. Feel free to submit multiple recommendations!
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CASA of the Month
Congratulations to our CASA of the Month, Olivia Garcia, who joined our program in 2021! Learn more about Olivia and how she helped three brothers placed separately maintain their strong sibling bond.
Five-Year Anniversaries
This month we are giving a shout out to a very special volunteer who has just reached her fifth year as a CASA with Voices for Children!
Shelly Henderson-Cuthberson has been a CASA to three youths during her five years with Voices for Children. She has given her all to each of the children and has strongly advocated for their well-being, education, mental health, placement, extracurricular activities, and physical health. With Shelly’s support, her first case child was able to successfully navigate her way into independent living as an adult. Shelly’s youth know they can trust her and count on her to be there for them. Voices for Children is lucky to have Shelly on our team!
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A simple way to support VFC is to follow us on social media! VFC’s Riverside County program now has its own Facebook page where you will find more current, in-depth stories about the amazing things you and your fellow CASAs are doing, as well as information about the community partners who make our work possible. Liking, sharing, commenting…It all helps us get more exposure.
Facebook: @VFCRiversideCounty, @VoicesForChildrenSD
Instagram: @voices_for_children
Twitter: @Voices4Childrn
LinkedIn: @voices-for-children-inc
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In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, The Roost Lounge in Cathedral City, and its foundation are sponsoring two fabulous events benefiting VFC on Sunday, April 9, 2023. The morning event includes a plated brunch from Lulu’s, a drag show, an Easter bonnet contest, and an Easter basket live auction.
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The evening event includes a three-course plated dinner by Trilussa with wine-pairing by Camden Cellars, a comedy show starring Jason Stuart and Laurie Kilmartin, with Mina Hartong and Nicky Paris, and a live auction of some amazing items. Come for brunch, come for dinner, or come for both! Tickets can be purchased here.
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Fabulous Funders
We are so excited to have received our first grant from the Houston Family Foundation. Its mission is to “support leadership through the opportunity to collaborate and enhance the common good by providing funds to support Science/Medical, Education, The Arts, and Human Social Services.” The generous grant totaled $40,000, enough to serve 20 children with a CASA! Thank you to the Houston Family Foundation for supporting our very important mission.
If you learn of a grant or other funding opportunity, please contact Brianna Miller at BriannaM@speakupnow.org.
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Each month will be hosting Small Group sessions both in person and virtually.
Please feel free to attend the format with which you're most comfortable. Please also keep in mind that you must attend three Small Groups each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!
Small Group: Unique Activities for All-Aged Children
Get together with Marsha Carey to brainstorm new and unique activity ideas for all ages. See how many free or low-cost adventures and excursions you can come up with! RSVP to MarshaC@speakupnow.org so she knows to expect you.
Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 2:00pm-3:30pm
Quarterly Book Club: Spilled Milk
Join Alysa Deane to discuss the novel, Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis. Based on a true story, this book follows Brooke, a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call about the escalating brutality in her home. In her pursuit of safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken court system that pushes to keep her abuser in the home. Find the hardcover, Kindle, and Audible versions of this amazing read on Amazon. Bonus: Attending this Small Group will provide continuing education credit for both reading the book and attending the meeting! Make sure to send your RSVP to AlysaD@speakupnow.org to save your spot.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023; 8:00am-9:30am
Small Group: Policies and Procedures
Need a little refresher on the CASA handbook? Come chat with Tiffany Escorcia as she goes over some VFC policies and procedures. This a great opportunity to ask some questions or clarify anything you learned in training and beyond! RSVP to TiffanyE@speakupnow.org to let her know you'll be attending.
Tuesday, April 25, 2023; 9:30am-11:00am
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Scheduled CE Workshops
HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences)
Wednesday, April 5, 2023; 12:00pm-2:00pm
Event presented by California CASA
Positive experiences can ease toxic stress and help children and youth grow into more resilient, healthier adults. HOPE identifies ways that our communities and systems of care can better ensure that all children have more positive experiences and that all families have support to nurture and celebrate their strengths. The workshop covers the research behind Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), their mitigating effects on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the Four Building Blocks of HOPE.
For more information and how to register, click here. Don't forget to let your Advocacy Supervisor know once you have completed the session!
Dissecting Psychotropic Medication Documents: JV220s & More!
Event presented by Voices for Children
Tuesday, April 11, 2023; 1:00pm-2:30pm
Does your case child have Psychotropic Medication Hearings? Have you ever been sent a JV220 and wondered, "What...is...this?" Join Melanie Thomas and Senior Public Health Nurse, Kristen Thompson, to learn about what these forms mean and how CASAs can contribute in their court reports! RSVP to Melaniet@speakupnow.org to reserve your spot.
Introduction to Safeguarding
Wednesday, April 19, 2023; 10:00am-11:30am
Event presented by Children's Fund Inc.
This session, being delivered by Lee Hind from the Pembrokeshire Association of Volunteer Services (PAVS), will ensure that you have the knowledge, attitude, and skills essential for keeping the people you work with safe and protected from harm. Take this course in order to understand the principles and values behind effective safeguarding
Learn how to recognize different types of harm, abuse, and neglect in children, as well as your role in relation to safeguarding. Register here and make sure to let your Advocacy Supervisor know that you completed the training!
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What We're Reading
Each month we'll highlight a staff member's new favorite novel, movie, or podcast.
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One of our phenomenal supervisors, Nicole Boettger, is reading Somebody's Someone by Regina Louise. This remarkable memoir shines the light on the plight of children with no parent to wake them up with a gentle kiss, to send them off to school with a packed lunch, or to read them a bedtime story as they fall off to sleep. These are nobody's children who, due to their circumstances, are rarely able to climb out of the shadows of society, instead left to fend for themselves in an inhospitable world. But while Somebody's Someone exposes the extreme trials these children endure, it is also a triumphant story of how one young girl makes it out alive. Never before has the voice of an abandoned child been so perfectly rendered, intimately captured, and lovingly portrayed. Find this story on Amazon!
After you have finished reading, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to receive continuing education credit and discuss your thoughts on the book!
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Advocacy Focus
April is National Volunteer Month! Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes. They pick a cause and make a difference in someone’s life. Sometimes the difference is just a drop in the bucket, other times it creates a tidal wave of change. Here at VFC, we are continuously inspired by the flood of your impact. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your volunteer journey. You are truly the backbone of our mission. Since each of you already focus on volunteering monthly, we can add that April is also National Child Abuse Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we want to highlight the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment. We encourage you to increase awareness about child and family well-being and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Though our kiddos are removed from environments that caused them harm and trauma, an extra set of eyes in each new placement is still important. Take the opportunity this month to observe your child's surroundings and have conversations about their feelings. Do they feel safe and protected, are they happy? Reach out to your Advocacy Supervisor for any additional ways to increase awareness of child abuse and volunteer for the cause.
Eastvale’s Egg-cellent Adventure:
Saturday, April 8, 2023; 10:00am-1:00pm
Eastvale Community Park (12750 Citrus St. Eastvale, CA 92880)
Admission: Free!
Bring your case child to this fun egg hunt event! Thousands of eggs will be scattered throughout the field for children of all ages to find. There will be designated areas/time for different age groups. See the website for more details! Eggs will contain prizes. Some eggs will contain grand prizes. There will also be food vendors and additional activities.
Easter Block Party
Saturday, April 8, 2023; 10:00am-12:00pm
5215 La Sierra Ave., Riverside, CA 92505
Admission: Free!
Bring your case child to this free Easter Block Party! There will be games, candy, music, and of course an Easter egg hunt!
Family Fun Fest
Wednesday, April 12, 2023; 9:00am-12:00pm
Palm Springs Stadium: 1901 E. Baristo Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262
Admission: Free!
Palm Springs Public Library is putting on a Spring festival right outside of the Palm Springs Stadium. There will be crafts, activities, and more. Visit each booth and mark your card from every participating organization and enter to win a prize basket!
Teen-Time: Earth Day Planters
Wednesday, April 19, 2023; 1:30pm-3:30pm
Palm Springs Public Library: 300 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Admission: Free!
This event is for youth in grades 6-12. Join a team in the 'Teen Zone' to celebrate Earth Day while creating planters for succulents!
Riverside Insect Fair
Saturday, April 22, 2023; 10:00am-4:00pm
Riverside Main Library: 3900 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501
Admission: Free!
The Riverside Insect Fair will be celebrating Earth Day! At this event, you will learn how to create your own bug collection and much more. You will also get to explore a day in the life of UCR Entomology Grad students!
iFoster Back to School Resources
Click here to access iFoster's very first newsletter for resources including free laptops for college, free K-12 tutoring services, discounted school supplies, and more!
Youth Opportunity Center (YOC)
From innovation center classes to youth sports leagues to summer school tutoring, the YOC has it all! Check out this Riverside Events Catalog for some free and low-cost activities taking place from now through Spring 2023. This facility offers a combination of virtual and in-person classes and events to explore with your case child!
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Submit Your Mileage and Case Hours
Please submit this form no later than April 7 to your Advocacy Supervisor. Remember to include time spent driving to and from visits, attending meetings, and other CASA-related efforts.
Even if you did not drive last month, please submit the form with an estimation of hours spent calling, researching, and writing. This tally is a helpful way for us to quantify the advocacy investment each of you contributes to your case. Your child matters and the hours you spend on their case help to illustrate that reality.
Upcoming VFC Office Closures
VFC staff will be in the office at a minimum of one time per week. If you would like to meet in person, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to coordinate a date and time!
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Monday, May 29, 2023 (Memorial Day)
For after-hours case emergencies, contact our 24-hour VFC hotline at 1-858-336-0609.
Second Saturday
Every second Saturday of the month, we encourage our volunteers, staff, board members, and other supporters to showcase their VFC apparel. Join us by wearing yours on Saturday, April 8 to help spread awareness about Voices for Children.
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"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
~James Matthew Barrie
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