These meaningful family moments are not just cherished memories; they highlight the crucial role that supportive adults play in the lives of children. It’s important for our network to remember that summer vacations can be very different for children in foster care compared to many of our own.
Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee, is a day to not only celebrate freedom but also to mourn the ongoing systemic injustices that affect Black Americans and, by extension, all of America.
Many children and families in foster care struggle to be truly seen and heard. Historically, our society has often only tolerated individuals with different sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions.
"Fostering has taught me that control is an illusion. Despite our best efforts as parents, both biological and foster, there are countless factors beyond our control. As a youth pastor for 25 years, I had seen the struggles and heartbreaks of young people, but fostering brought these issues into our home, making them more immediate and personal." Jared Middleton shares his story as a foster parent, CASA volunteer with TLC CASA, and advocate for children and families in crisis.
May is the month we celebrate mothers. Social activist and community organizer Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis is the inspiration for Mother's Day in the United States. Jarvis was a dynamic woman who saw needs in her community and found ways to meet them. As a young mother, Ann started “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to provide assistance and education to families in order to reduce disease and infant mortality.
Every child in foster care deserves a chance at a brighter future, and Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, play a crucial role in making that happen. The impact of a CASA volunteer goes far beyond traditional support systems. Let’s explore the unique ways that a CASA volunteer can make a lasting difference in the life of a child in foster care.
When I was in college with an interest in working in Human Services of some kind, the only jobs I knew about were with the Division of Family and Children Services and I assumed that’s where I would go. Then, I was introduced to CASA by the director of a summer camp I volunteered at.
During the latter part of each March, the spring equinox occurs. In 2024, March 19th marked the official start of spring. More daylight hours, flowers blooming and bees buzzing around (even amidst all the pollen!), nice weather for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, camping, picnics, watching ball games, and just spending a lazy Saturday afternoon outside in a hammock – all of these come to mind when I think about enjoying the spring season.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and for CASA programs nationwide, it holds immense significance. It's a time to amplify our efforts in safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our community—our children. For CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) programs, this month serves as a poignant reminder of our mission to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
It was the summer of 1982; one of the joys of my 7-year-old life was going four blocks down to “The Ice-cream Lady’s” house with a shiny nickel in my hand to buy a cold treat. My only worry was which one, the frozen Kool-Aid pop or the homemade vanilla, would be my treat of the day. (It was homemade vanilla most of the time.)
