Local volunteers provide support to foster youth in CASA program
Athena Jreij
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) — Riverside County volunteers with Voices for Children are providing a new level of support and mentorship to youth in the foster care system through the organization’s CASA program.
CASAs, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, support foster children’s educational and domestic rights, with the power to place children in safer homes.
“In the process of getting to know their teachers, their lawyers, their psychologist, their family members, a lot of times the CASA member might be the difference between a child staying with family members and going into foster care indefinitely,” said Robert Huesca, a Palm Springs volunteer.
However, with more than 25% of the county’s foster kids residing in the Valley, officials say thousands are without a CASA going into the school year.
For Anthony O’Leary, who faced an inconsistent childhood in the system, having a CASA made all the difference.
“I went in and out of foster care system many times throughout my early years, it still never felt right. I always questioned everything, especially my at home life and why my parents would, you know, do something like this to me,” O’Leary said.
O’Leary says his CASA, Daniel, supported him in and outside of the courtroom.
According to the National Foster Youth Institute, just 50% of foster youth will graduate high school and less than 3% will make it through college.
“He proved his his worthiness of my trust and the impact that he can make from the very beginning all the way up to, me getting out of the foster care system due to him advocating for me to move back in with my great aunt and great grandma, my forever home.”
According to the National Foster Youth Institute, just 50% of foster youth will graduate high school and less than 3% will make it through college. It’s a statistic O’Leary was able to defy, with the help of his CASA who he credits him with helping attend UCLA on a full-ride scholarship.
Now, officials with Voices for Children are putting out the call that the impact of a CASA can change more than just one life.
“It’s so important that we look at these young kids as potential law makers, teachers, educators and people that are going to impact our communities for years to come,” O’Leary said.
No requirements are needed to become a CASA volunteer. If you’re interested in getting involved, visit: https://www.speakupnow.org/