This month, we are celebrating families of all kinds in honor of both Family Reunification Month and Pride Month. We know that the essence of a family is not defined by its structure, but by the boundless love, support, and resilience it provides. Whether reunited after time apart or standing proud in their uniqueness, every family is a testament to the unbreakable bonds that sustain us. Join us as we honor the incredible impact that loving families, in all their forms, have on the lives of children.
In The Spotlight – Urgent Requests & Essential Needs
VOICES works to provide temporary relief through referrals to non-profit partners. Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation offers funding for supplemental clothing.
Foster Alliance and Helen’s Hope Chest offer a shopping experience for the youth to select and try on clothes at their location.
If the timing is of an urgent nature, VOICES works to provide temporary relief through our Urgent Request and Essential Needs programs in addition to the referrals to non-profit partners.
A child in foster care requires a variety of different resources and a community of organizations surrounding these children to provide that care. So much of the need is for clothes.
Clothes are often “lost” or stolen when the youth are moved to a new placement. Some are wearing hand-me-down shoes four times too big or are pregnant and need maternity clothes. Warm jammies and soft slippers bring warmth and care to a youth in a new behavioral health facility.
My CASA Journey – From Ballet to LEGOs™!
Through their continual contact with a child, CASA volunteers are in a unique position to share in developing a child’s interest. For example, one CASA assisted her budding ballerina by applying for funding for ballet lessons, and then ballet shoes. Then, VOICES funded the performance fee so she could pirouette across the stage. Next, the CASA was able to take her to an Arizona Ballet amazing performance (courtesy of their Angel Nights program) sending her dreams soaring!
But it can also be very simple – trying things they have never done. A recent VOICES Lego Challenge found both the CASA volunteers and the teens attempting to build a Lego animal for the first time.
“We talked, we laughed, and we figured out the instructions together. She was so excited at the completed parrot and it was fun for me to see her exercise spatial skills. Her Foster Mom and Granny have two birds so she could not wait to show them our completed project! We decided that our parrot’s picture should be outdoors since that is where parrots naturally live. My kiddo took the attached pic using my phone.”
And another CASA:
“My CASA teen really enjoyed making this frog during our time together. During the build, there was not any discussion about appointments or the day-to-day life of being a teen in living in foster care. Rather, it was a child who simply got to be a “normal kid” (something she wishes for dearly). This was also a therapeutic, confidence boost as my teen (who had never worked with Legos prior) discovered that she has a genuine knack and skill at building a Lego creation.”
Positive Outcomes – Families Together Again! Celebrating National Family Reunification Month
The American Bar Association sponsors Family Reunification Month and Maricopa County has been celebrating Family Reunification Day since 2014 – 10 yrs of honoring families!
To celebrate the accomplishments of families who have overcome an array of circumstances to reunify safely and successfully.
To recognize the vital role that community partners – including mental health and substance abuse providers, courts and judges, foster parents, CASA volunteers and others – play in helping to reunify, strengthen, and support families.
To inspire other parents – particularly those going through the recovery process – that it is possible to confront and resolve the issues that led to their separation, and to reunify with their children.
Each year, partners across Maricopa County come together to rally for families who have reunified with their loved ones. Thousands of Arizona children are reunified with their families every year and the outpouring of love and joy our families have for each other inspires the entire community.
VOICES is an annual sponsor along with Casey Family Programs, Prevent Child Abuse – AZ, Family Involvement Center, among others. We are also joined by members of the Juvenile Court, the Department of Child Safety, attorneys and other child welfare service providers.
Maricopa County 10th Annual Family Reunification Celebration:
Saturday, June 15, 2024
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Join us in celebrating this courageous community of families!
To learn more and to register for the virtual event visit the Maricopa County Family Reunification Day Homepage.
In Focus – The Governor’s Office of Youth Faith and Family
Governor’s Office of Youth Faith and Family (GOYFF) has various commissions and advisory councils designed to focus on challenges facing our community. These include Human trafficking, substance abuse, a youth commission, among others.
VOICES had the opportunity to partner with CASA of Arizona to present at the Council for Child Safety and Family Empowerment.
This multidisciplinary council was created to align, leverage and coordinate faith-based and community resources to address challenges faced by vulnerable children and families who may be engaged with, or at risk of engaging with, the child welfare system.
Council members, who are appointed by the Governor, and public attendees had the opportunity to hear about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate. They also learned how VOICES supports the CASA volunteer experience and helps them make a difference in a child’s life.
Strengthening Advocacy Through Education – As We Celebrate Pride Month
As we celebrate Pride Month, we reflect on the rich history, ongoing struggles, and remarkable achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community. Amidst this celebration, it’s crucial to acknowledge the disparities and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those in foster care.
According to Youth.gov, LGBTQIA+ youth are disproportionately represented in the foster care system, with approximately 30% identifying as LGBTQIA+ compared to 11% in the general youth population. This overrepresentation is accompanied by unique challenges, including heightened rates of mental health issues, experiences of discrimination, and exposure to trauma. This underscores the need for targeted support and intervention for LGBTQIA+ youth to address the unique obstacles they encounter.
At VOICES, we are committed to providing ongoing educational opportunities for CASA volunteers, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively support LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care.
By equipping CASA volunteers with the tools to understand and address the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ youth, we strive to foster environments of acceptance, support, and inclusivity within the foster care system. Together, we can work towards a future where every LGBTQIA+ youth in foster care receives the care, understanding, and advocacy they deserve.
Learn more about this important topic.
(This was the Voices of Hope newsletter, June 2024. Subscribe to receive more.)
