Note from the President and CEO | |
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To our CASAs,
Happy New Year to you! Every year we hear from new CASAs that finding an impactful way to give back to their community was one of their New Year’s resolutions. If you know someone who is looking to make a difference in 2025, share with them about your CASA experience and encourage them to attend an information session. Hearing from current CASAs is one of the most meaningful ways community members learn about our work.
From all of us at Voices for Children, we wish you a joyful year to come.
With appreciation, always,
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Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS
President & CEO
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The Dark Matter of Love
This documentary focuses on the psychological aspects of growing up with and without parental love. It centers around the Diaz family, who chooses to adopt three orphans from Russia, and how their new and old kids handle family together. Find this on Fandango.
If you have watched this documentary, please let your supervisor know, and you will be credited with 2 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!
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It was lovely to have seen so many of you at the recent holiday party on December 7, 2024. We look forward to this event every year and seeing you and your youths happy faces brings so much joy!
As I reflected on this year’s party, I realized if I asked 100 people what the holidays mean, I would guess a great many would say family, and so it is a tough time of the year for many of the youth we serve together. That’s why our highlighted case for this month is one where the youth has very few people in their lives.
This month we continue to highlight 14-year-old Danielle, who is in need of a CASA. Danielle goes by Karl and uses he/him pronouns. His hearings are heard in Riverside and he is currently living in Hemet. Karl had a CASA who resigned due to health issues, but he needs a lot of attention. He struggles with his relationship with his brother, and his caregiver will not refer to him by his preferred name and pronouns. He needs someone just for him with REALLY strong boundaries and a lot of patience
If you are interested in learning more about this case or are considering taking another, please contact Sharon Morris.
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Congratulations to our CASA of the Month, Robert H.! For teenagers in foster care, a CASA can help cultivate trusting relationships, teach life skills, and promote self-esteem. A positive adult presence can be a pillar of strength, showing teenagers that their past traumas do not define them and that they can shape their futures. For 14-year-old Juan*, CASA Robert has become his pillar of strength after he was abandoned by a paternal relative and entered the foster care system in 2023.
Click here to learn more about CASA Robert’s journey with Juan and how he has changed his life by fiercely advocating for Juan's education, facilitating Juan's reconnection with his mother, and helping them transition from supervised visits to living together. CASA Robert's determination and empathy exemplify the vital role one supportive adult can play in helping youth heal and thrive.
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Your Voice, Their Future:
Join Us in Making a Difference!
Wednesday, January 22 – Thursday, May 1
As a dedicated Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), you understand the profound impact a supportive individual can have on children in foster care. Today, there are hundreds of local children in foster care waiting for a CASA volunteer to speak up for them. You can help create a brighter future for them today!
From January 22 through National Foster Care Month in May, we invite you to play a crucial role in helping us move 175 vulnerable youth off our waitlist. We are calling on you to recommend a caring friend, family member, or co-worker you believe possesses the compassion and commitment to become a CASA volunteer. Multiple recommendations are welcome, and the process is quick and simple — completing the recommendation form takes less than five minutes!
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Enjoy a Concert for a Cause – Saturday, February 1, 2025
For the third year, VFC is a beneficiary of the Concert Series at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. On Saturday, February 1, come enjoy a one-of-a-kind concert experience with Billy Nation, a tribute to Billy Joel, while sipping wine (or a nonalcoholic beverage) under the beautiful desert sky. A portion of ticket sales will benefit VFC!
We are beyond grateful to Orr Builders, who graciously offered to sponsor us again this year. Tickets are going fast, so click here to secure yours today!
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Starfish Giving Circle
Voices for Children Monthly Giving Community
Have you made your New Year’s Resolution this year? The start of a new year is the perfect time to consider giving back by joining Voices for Children's Starfish Giving Circle! This exclusive monthly giving program invites compassionate individuals like you to make a lasting impact on the lives of the most vulnerable youth all year long.
When you join our monthly giving community, you will directly support Voices for Children as we train and support hundreds of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) like you who tirelessly advocate for the best interests of children living in foster care.
Your monthly donation will bring hope, support, and brighter futures for these deserving children. Join us today as a partner of the Starfish Giving Circle. Together, we can make a lasting impact by ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
For further information on ways to give, please contact Brianna Miller.
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The Regional Access Project (RAP) Foundation has been a valued partner of Voices for Children for nearly a decade. They graciously donated conference room space for us to conduct interviews and trainings when our program first initiated, before becoming proud tenants in their building in Palm Desert more than eight years ago. In addition, they have awarded four grants focused on mental health.
Last month, we celebrated the most recent grant with a check presented to VFC’s Jessica Muñoz and Brianna Miller by RAP’s Grants Review Committee. Thank you, RAP, for all you do to address unmet needs in health, mental health and juvenile intervention for residents of eastern Riverside County.
Know of other fabulous funders? Please contact Brianna Miller.
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Quarterly Book Club: Three Little Words
Join Samantha Poley to discuss the book Three Little Words by Ashely Rhodes-Courter. The memoir recounts nine years of the author's life in fourteen different foster homes. As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system. Painful memories of being taken away from her home quickly become consumed by real-life horrors, where Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed with the help of her CASA volunteer—and in doing so, discovers the power of speaking out. Find this book in several different formats on Amazon. Please send your RSVP to SamanthaP@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025; 12:30pm-2:00pm
· Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
· Meeting ID: 821 4048 2353
· Passcode: 102290
Small Group: Goals for the New Year
As we enter a new year, it's the perfect time to reflect, reset, and set meaningful goals for our work as CASAs. Join Melanie Thomas for a small group session focused on envisioning the year ahead. We'll discuss how to create actionable goals for your cases, foster personal growth, and maintain balance in your advocacy work. Let’s make 2025 a year of impact and positive change! Please RSVP to MelanieT@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025; 10:00am-11:30am
· Click this Zoom link and enter the details below..
· Meeting ID: 857 7739 4720
· Passcode: 865565
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Scheduled CE Workshops
How to Succeed Against Compassion Fatigue
Event presented by Child Welfare League of America
Join CWLA’s Director of Training and Implementation, Marcus Stallworth, on January 22nd for a two-hour virtual training that will delve into the contributing factors that can create or exacerbate compassion fatigue and impact work performance, decision-making, and interpersonal relationships, as well as the proactive tips and strategies folks can consider to reduce such negative psychological impact. Register here!
Wednesday, January 22, 2025; 1:00pm-3:00pm
Project 3,500:Expanded Housing for Former Foster Youth
Event presented by John Burton Advocates for Youth
In 2021, JBAY embarked on Project 3,500 with the goal of expanding state resources for housing to reach at least 3,500 youth. California has made new investments in housing for youth leaving the foster care system, acknowledging the increased risk of homelessness and disproportionate impact of the state’s housing crisis on this population. As a result of these investments, California's capacity to serve former foster youth through supportive transitional housing and federal housing vouchers has increased by 70% since 2021, reaching more than 3,700 youth at a moment in time. This webinar will mark the release of a new report by JBAY discussing this increase in capacity, related findings and recommendations. Register here!
Thursday, January 23, 2025; 9:30am-11:00am
Opportunities for College-Bound and Transitional-Aged Youth
Financial Aid Completion Resource
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) has compiled a Financial Aid Completion Resource guide for California foster and homeless youth to help students and their adult supporters apply for and maintain financial aid.
2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The 2024-2025 FAFSA form is now available for those looking to attend college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete the FAFSA form.
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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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Advocacy Supervisor, Erin Mahoney, is reading Keep the Doors Open: Lessons Learned from a Year of Foster Parenting by Kristin Berry (2020). As a teenager, Kristin Berry had heard all the horror stories surrounding foster care and adoption—abuse, neglect, rejection, anger, and misunderstandings. This is Kristin’s honest, unvarnished story of some of her experiences as a foster parent of twenty three children over the course of nine years. What she learned is that living in a foster home is like living with a revolving door. You never know who will arrive or who you will have to say goodbye to. Leaving the door open means there will be heartache and pain, but also adventure and unexpected joy. If you have ever wondered what it’s really like to be a foster parent, this book will help you gain a true understanding of the everyday trials and triumphs these moms and dads face. It will also inspire you to consider opening your door…and to leave it wide open. It can be found on Amazon.
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Advocacy Focus
January is National Self-Love Month! As CASAs, you pour your heart into advocating for children and families. This month, embrace Self-Love Month by prioritizing your well-being—and celebrate it with your case children! Self-care isn’t just for you; it’s a wonderful opportunity to model healthy habits and create meaningful moments together. Plan a fun activity, like journaling about what makes each of you unique, creating self-love affirmation cards, or enjoying a favorite hobby. Reflect on the positive steps you’ve both taken in your journey. Taking time to care for yourself and share joy with your case child strengthens not only your connection but also your ability to advocate with renewed energy and purpose.
CASA Outreach Team
Happy New Year!! By being a member of the Outreach Team, you get to help share your experience of being a CASA to those who may be on the fence, or have never heard of the CASA Program. We have a ton of fun at booths (like at Pride, Juneteenth, Murrieta Firefighters BBQ, and more!), presentations, and following up with inquiries. No skills are required, you get to choose what you help with, and you get to decide if an event is too far!
If you would like to learn more about the CASA Outreach team, please reach out to Kathi Urmanita, CASA Recruitment and Outreach Manager at KathiU@speakupnow.org or speak with your Supervisor directly.
We would like to send a special thank you for CASAs who have helped out at events this past month: Cynthia Avery, Frank Diaz, Jeanette Estrada, Carrie Jaramillo, Nancy Olsen, and Deborah Roberts for all of their help with spreading cheer and about being a CASA!
Refer-a-Friend
Currently, we serve 11% of the youth experiencing foster care within Riverside County. This new year, we aim to continue to grow and serve more youth. To reach our goal of serving over 12% of youth in care in 2025, we need your help! We ask that you share your experience this holiday season with all of those in your circle!
Invite anyone and everyone to an Information Session and let them know to put you down as their personal referral when RSVPing at https://www.speakupnow.org/volunteer/. You will be entered to win a $25 gift! It could be to your youth’s favorite food place or something for yourself! Refer more than one person, and have a better chance at winning.
Virtual Job Fair
Monday, January 6, 2025; 11:00am-3:00pm
Registration: Free!
JobFairX is looking to connect companies to new employees! Help your kiddo out with some virtual interviews. Visit their information page for FAQs on how to prepare and register for the event.
Resume Building Workshop
Tuesday, January 7, 2025; 9:00am-10:30am
Moreno Valley Business & Employment Resource Center
12625 Frederick Street #Suite K-3 Moreno Valley, CA 9255
Admission: Free!
Join the BERC for our signature Resume Skills Workshop where you will learn how to create an effective resume. Get tips on how to transform your current resume that will help you stand out to employers, trends in resume writing, and how to beat applicant tracking systems. ** This is a hybrid event. To attend in person, finish the registration through Eventbrite. To attend virtually, click on the Zoom link.**
Temecula Chess Club
Every Sunday of the Month; 3:00pm-6:00pm
27403 Ynez Rd. #213 Temecula, CA 92591
Admission: Free!
Join the Temecula Chess Club for a fun-filled day of chess! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this event is open to players of all levels. Test your skills, meet fellow chess enthusiasts, and enjoy a friendly game or two. Don't miss out on this opportunity to sharpen your strategies and have a great time.
Lunar Festival
January 25-26, 2025; 11:00am-8:00pm
Mission Inn and Lemon St. Riverside, CA 92501
Admission: Free!
The 13th Annual Riverside Lunar Festival is returning to downtown Riverside, and this year we’re celebrating the Year of the Snake! Join us on Mission Inn Ave on January 25-26 for a weekend packed with vibrant cultural festivities and exciting new attractions, including carnival rides for the first time ever!
Culture in Our Community
Voices for Children is proud to launch Culture In Our Community, which was brought to you by Voices for Children’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Awareness, and Action (IDEAA) Council. We invite CASAs to use this online guide to find places to visit, upcoming events, local restaurants, and other resources to help connect youth in foster care with their culture or background. We encourage you to explore this resource and use it in your upcoming outings!
CalFresh
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) has updated its FAQ document on NMDs and California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as CalFresh, for 2024-2025 to reflect recent policy updates. The FAQ document covers key topics such as CalFresh eligibility, income requirements, benefit levels, access for students, the impact of foster care payments and other income sources, and links to application support resources. Click here for more information.
iFoster Back to School Resources
Click here to access iFoster's very first newsletter with 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 holiday programs, the YOC has it all! Check out this Riverside Events Catalog for some free and low-cost activities taking place from now through December 2024. This facility offers a combination of virtual and in-person classes and events to explore with your case child!
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Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage is now a partner with Voices for Children and our CASAs! If a CASA chooses to take their youth to the museum, they will need to purchase their own ticket and show their CASA badge, and then they will receive the youth’s ticket free of charge.
Color Me Mine
Color Me Mine – Riverside will now waive their studio fee for CASAs and their youth when they show their CASA badge. Please note that there is a cost for the ceramics they may paint, and the price range can exceed the CASA’s limit. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome, but not guaranteed. We encourage you to check out their event page for special items to paint and custom to-go kits, as well!
The Wheelhouse Skating Rink
Starting now, CASAs & their youth can attend The Wheelhouse Skating Rink in Hemet with a waived admission fee and only pay $5.00 for their rental skates! CASAs will need to show their CASA badge for this offer. Happy skating!
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Submit Your Mileage and Case Hours
Please submit this form by January 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 helps 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.
Birthday Gift Cards
Does your case child have a birthday coming up? Voices for Children will provide a $25 gift card for you to take your kiddo shopping! Please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to arrange a time to pick one up from one of our offices.
Refer-a-Friend Raffle
Would you like a chance to win a $25 gift card? If so, help Voices for Children continue to grow and serve more local youth experiencing foster care in the most successful way possible - direct ask! Voices for Children has a quarterly raffle for active CASAs that refer individuals to an Information Session - each referral that comes in under your name gives you an entry to win. Invite anyone and everyone to an Information Session, and let them know to put you down as the personal referral when RSVPing at https://www.speakupnow.org/volunteer/.
Refer more than one person, and have a better chance at winning!
Book Pick-Up!
Did you know that each of our offices has a small library of approved reading options for you and your kiddos? Next time you visit, feel free to check out our selection, which you can borrow or keep. You are also welcome to bring your own donations!
Upcoming VFC Office Closures
VFC staff will be in the office at least two times per week. If you want to meet in person, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor to coordinate a date and time!
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Tuesday, December 24, 2024- Wednesday, January 1, 2025 (Winter Break)
- Monday, January 20, 2025 (Martin Luther King, Jr. 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, January 11, to help spread awareness about Voices for Children.
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"You gave me your time, the most thoughtful gift of all."
~Dan Zadra
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