Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

President & CEO

Children of the Underground

This five-part docuseries tells the true story of charismatic vigilante, Faye Yager, who built a vast underground network that hid hundreds of mothers and children, saving them from the alleged abuse of husbands and fathers when a broken court system would not. Stepping out into the spotlight of daytime TV talk shows to raise awareness for the cause, Yager placed herself in the crosshairs of the FBI, setting off a highly publicized trial that raised the specter of a dark side to the movement. When she helped the ex-wife and children of the wealthy banker who pioneered the ATM disappear, Yager finally met her match and a loud public reckoning was at hand. Was Faye Yager actually the saint so many people made her out to be? Enter the true story of her Underground and learn the tangled truth about this heroine. Stream now on Hulu!

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!

We are looking for CASAs to join our new community outreach team. The role will involve sharing about Voices for Children, the CASA role, and some of your personal experiences as a CASA with the goal to recruit more community members to become CASA volunteers. Outreach opportunities will range vary each month and will be spread throughout the county – giving you the opportunity to choose what works best for your schedule. If you have a passion for sharing with others your role as a CASA – we would love to hear from you!

Contact our Community Outreach Coordinator, Kathi Shaner, at kathis@speakupnow.org by May 31, 2023 to learn about the next steps for this wonderful opportunity!

We are looking for a seasoned CASA for 11-year-old Carly who resides in Hemet with Court hearings in Indio.

Carly's family has history with CPS since 2011. At the end of 2020, a referral came in that Carly stated she was afraid of her mother. The mother was homeless for a while and living in her car with Carly. It was reported that mother also drives recklessly while with Carly. There has been a lot of neglect in this case, emotional abuse, and substance abuse by the mother. Carly's father has never been involved. Carly acts a lot older than her 11 years of age because she was very parentified. She is bright, humorous, respectful and thoughtful. Carly now goes by Michael and uses he/him pronouns. The mother does not accept this and is disrespectful of Michael's preferences.  

If you are interested in learning more about this case, or considering taking another, please contact your Advocacy Supervisor.

Please join us in welcoming our newest VFC team member, Angeles Lopez! Angeles will be taking on the role of Advocacy Supervisor in our Indio office and we are thrilled to have her on board! Here are some words from Angeles:

"As a victim advocate for the last 4 years I am excited to now be able to support other advocates. I am looking forward to working with Voices for Children to help make a difference. I have worked for a non-profit before and I know it takes special and dedicated individuals to create a successful organization. I am looking forward to working with you all and I am grateful to now be a part of the team." 

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!

CASA of the Month

Congratulations to our CASA of the Month, Kevin Dell, who joined our program in 2020! Read about CASA Kevin’s inspiring commitment to his case youth here.

May is National Foster Care Month and the perfect time to get your workplace, community group, place of worship, etc., involved in the amazing work that you do with Voices for Children. Here is a list of some fun ideas to help spread awareness and/or raise funds:

• Host a lunch-and-learn program.
• Host a happy hour, silent auction, or bake sale with your colleagues to raise funds to support VFC.
• Publish information about VFC in your company or organization newsletter and on social media
• Create a contest where employees make a donation for a chance to win an extra day off.
• Display VFC flyers on bulletin boards and in breakrooms & lobbies.
• Allow VFC to place a banner in your lobby for a week.
• Choose VFC to benefit from your self-organized special events and philanthropy.

For more information about how your employer or organization can support VFC, please contact Brianna Miller.

Fabulous Funders: Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs

In April, we had the pleasure of sharing about our program to the Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. The club collects “happy dollars” from the members during each meeting, which typically go towards the club’s kitty. We were so touched when the club decided to donate the money collected to VFC instead. Another member even matched the amount collected and another donated her winnings from the raffle. Our sincere gratitude to the Kiwanis Club of Palm Springs for believing in our mission and for all the work you do to improve the lives of children in or communities. 

If you learn of a grant or other funding opportunity, please contact Brianna Miller at BriannaM@speakupnow.org. 

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: Managing Time as a CASA

There are quite a few moving pieces to your CASA role and we know that sometimes the requirements may seem overwhelming. Join Melanie Thomas and other CASAs to discuss time management techniques in order to make sure you are making the most of your advocacy! RSVP to Melaniet@speakupnow.org to let her know you'll be attending.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023; 12:00pm-1:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 812 0944 9305
• Passcode: 341613

Small Group: Court Report Refresher

Could you use a little help on your upcoming court report? Join Alysa Deane for some tips and tricks on how to write an effective and comprehensive report for your case child's hearing. This refresher will give you more insight on how to best advocate for your child. Remember, these reports are the greatest avenue to the judge! RSVP now to AlysaD@speakupnow.org so she knows to expect you.

Friday, May 19, 2023, 8:00am-9:30am

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 858 3269 3474
• Passcode: 281081

Book Club: A Place Called Home 

In the March Courier, Brianna shared that she read the memoir, A Place Called Home, and eluded to a future book club Small Group. She will be hosting it this month in recognition of National Foster Care Month. “A galvanizing, stirring memoir about growing up homeless and in foster care and rising to become a leading advocate for child welfare, recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change.” "A Place Called Home presents an unflinching, frank examination of the realities of being a child without a home and being surrounded by a fundamentally flawed system where neither child nor parent have enough help, or the right help, to break the cycle of poverty.” How will you and your fellow CASAs describe the book? Join us in person or virtually to find out. In addition to receiving credit for the Small Group, you will also receive continuing education credit for reading the book! Make sure to send your RSVP to BriannaM@speakupnow.org as in-person space is limited.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023; 5:30pm-7:00pm

In person at the RAP Foundation: 41550 Eclectic St., Palm Desert, CA 92211

Or via Zoom:

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 839 4904 2931
• Passcode: 390303

Scheduled CE Workshops

Motivational Interviewing: Skill Building and Practice

Wednesday, May 3, 2023; 12:00pm-2:00pm

Event presented by California CASA

Greg Merrill, clinical social worker at UCSF Medical Center, is back to lead another session centered on motivational interviewing. The session will briefly summarize the core skills already presented and then dive directly into applying that knowledge through demonstrations, exercises, and collaborative conversations for the whole group. Join us for an interactive, applications-driven presentation that will help CASAs utilize motivational interviewing techniques. Please be sure to watch the recording of the first session and join us to dig deeper on using this important skill. Click here to register!

Expulsions/Suspensions, Due Process, and Legislation Updates 

Event presented by Voices for Children

Wednesday, May 17, 2023; 3:00pm-4:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 918 0157 9112

Join Alfred Williams and a representative from the Riverside County Office of Education for a training that is intended to provide CASAs with knowledge of due process along with providing recent legal updates, specific to foster youth in education. Attendees will learn how to best advocate for students in foster care facing expulsion or suspension. 

Real Word Panel

Event presented by Voices for Children

Tuesday, May 23, 2023; 6:00pm-7:30pm

VFC will be hosting a special Real Word panel just for CASAs and trainees! The Real Word is a presentation comprised of youth and young adults who currently live or have lived in foster care after experiencing abuse, abandonment, or neglect by their parents or caregivers. Join us as the panelists answer some of your most pressing questions about working with foster youth. Whether you’ve been a CASA for several years or are brand new, the panelists will inspire, humble, and uplift you as they share their personal stories and describe how the CASA program has made an impact on their lives as foster youth. Register here to reserve your spot!

"What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good."

~Aristotle

Voices for Children | 951-472-9301 | www.speakupnow.org