Summer days are giving way to the excitement of a new school year! We are grateful for all those who support youth in their educational journey. CASA volunteers also make a profound impact on youth living in foster care so they enter this school year more confident.

Thank you!

In The Spotlight – Wellness For Kids

Back-to-school is here! As we go over the checklist of school supplies and things to do, let’s be sure to include a wellness break for ourselves and for our young students. Children have mixed emotions upon entering the classroom. Excitement, apprehension and everything in-between!

It’s important that even children learn about self-care. CASA volunteers have the opportunity to explore these skills with their appointed youth. By creating healthy routines for children, we help them feel empowered and in control.

Try these self-care tips for kids at PBS Kids – they might be good for adults too!

My CASA Journey – ABC’S – Advocacy, Backpacks and Compassion

Back to school is an important time for youth in foster care and the CASA volunteer. It’s important to help start the new school year with brand new supplies just like everyone else. Thankfully, our VOICES community responds with boxes and boxes filled with quality supplies and hope!

The CASA volunteer sees the challenges a new school year (and sometimes a new school) might bring to a child navigating foster care. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, the volunteer has the ability to meet teachers, review school records and advocate on behalf of the child’s educational needs. This can be a mix of keeping teachers informed, requesting specific assistance, finding resources for uniforms – and yes, providing that new backpack filled to the brim.

“Oh my – received the backpack today- wow! So many school supplies!
Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see my kiddo’s face when she sees everything.”

Community & Youth Connections – Young Adults Aging out of Foster Care

It’s Move-in Day at EVIT’s New On Campus Housing!

Youth who have reached 18 years of age and are transitioning out of foster care struggle to find permanent and affordable housing; studies have found that nearly 33% of these young adults experience homelessness*. In Arizona, the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) is seeking to address this challenge through their new HopeTech residential community and program, which provides housing, academics, job training and other services to help young adults in successfully transitioning to adulthood.

On July 16, 2024, young adults 20 young adults moved into apartment style housing, attended orientation and began preparing for the fall semester ! As part of this program, these young adults will spend 35 hours per week on academics (including GED or high school completion if applicable), part-time employment, internships, mentoring, job training, independent living skill development), community meetings and other activities.

Would you like to help? Like many young adults, these youth need bedding, bath, kitchen, cleaning and other supplies. Check out EVIT’s Hope Tech program Amazon Gift Registry if you would like to support a young adult as they look forward to a future of hope!

*US Health & Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children & Families – January 2024

Strengthening Advocacy Through Education – Listen, Learn & Advocate: Training Highlights (and a New Podcast Episode!)

As summer temperatures rise and in-person training sessions become more challenging, VOICES remains dedicated to providing quality education for CASA volunteers in more accessible formats. This month, we launched our Back-to-School webinar series, covering essential topics such as technology safety, becoming an Educational Surrogate, and coping with anxiety in school settings.

In addition to our online training, we released a new podcast episode featuring Meghan Hays Davis from Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. In this episode, Meghan discusses the profound impact of trauma on young children and highlights the critical role relationships play in the healing process. She shares practical strategies for caregivers and CASA volunteers to support children in foster care, including how to recognize trauma responses and promote emotional regulation.

To delve deeper into this topic, you can listen to the full podcast episode.

(This was the Voices of Hope newsletter, August 2024. Subscribe to receive more.)