At VOICES, we provide activity ideas and tickets to help create connections between the CASA volunteer and child. For outcomes, we measure the number of children supported and tickets delivered (and more), but it’s the immeasurable moments that guide our efforts.
Moments like these:
A child receiving a Disney Frozen doll (after receiving a few items earlier in her hope bag) said, “This is from them too? Because they love me?” The CASA said ”Yes, that’s exactly why.”
The CASA who took her artistic teen to a “dress up experience” of the Nutcracker said “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the kiddos to see how people behave and dress, how/where to park, what time to go in order to have plenty of time — even the fact that the second floor restrooms are the place to go!”. How did the teen feel? The CASA said “When we got back to the car after the Nutcracker, she SCREAMED, and I asked her why. She said, “I just had the BEST TIME of my whole life.”
A teen and his CASA volunteer attended an Arizona Cardinals game courtesy of an adult (himself a former foster youth) who donated the tickets. ”My CASA [youth] loved it. Was so much fun. The guy who gave the tickets away was awesome too, gave us good parking so we didn’t have to walk so far. What a treat. He won’t forget it.”
We distribute tickets, but we also believe we distribute hope by helping a CASA volunteer show up for the child and make life transforming memories.
