This season, we’re reminded of the power of coming together. We gather with advocates like David Ambroz — who graciously shares his life experiences — to spread awareness and inspire others to take action. We gather gifts to ensure every child experiences the joy of the holidays. As the need for food and essentials grows, we gather and share resources so that no child in our community goes without care or nourishment.
When we gather together for good it creates hope that reaches far beyond the season.
In The Spotlight – An Evening with David Ambroz
VOICES recently hosted a live recording of the By Their Side podcast featuring bestselling author and national child welfare advocate, David Ambroz, whose memoir A Place Called Home chronicles his journey from homelessness and foster care to national advocacy.
During the podcast, he speaks about “occasional angels” who changed his life. Teachers, social workers, and community members who simply showed up when it mattered most.
“You can’t fix every problem,” he said, “but you can stand next to someone in theirs. That’s where change begins.”
David also celebrated the CASA volunteer community, calling them “Dumbledore’s Army,” a nationwide force quietly fighting for children every day. CASA volunteers don’t wait for perfect conditions.
“They show up, again and again, for kids who need someone in their corner.”
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined this inspiring evening. The full episode is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
Positive Outcomes – Gathering Gifts
Help a CASA Volunteer bring a little holiday magic to a child by shopping our Annual Holiday Gift Drive. You help create moments of joy, comfort, and connection for youth who deserve to feel cared for and seen.
Shop the list now through December 12th.
A special thank you to everyone who has donated already, you have kicked the drive off in an amazing way. If you’d like to drop off gifts in person, reach out to austin.truitt@voicesforcasachildren.org.
Education – Hidden Cost of Hunger
The recent government shutdown and risk to SNAP benefits reminded us how fragile food security can be for many families. For children, that uncertainty reaches far beyond the dinner table. Research shows that children who experience food insecurity are more likely to struggle with concentration, emotional regulation, and physical development. Chronic hunger can change the way a child’s brain develops, influencing everything from memory to mood.
In the child welfare system, we see this impact firsthand. Many children enter foster care already carrying the effects of poverty, from hoarding behaviors to anxiety around meals.
Understanding the invisible effects of hunger helps us respond with compassion and awareness. When we see beyond behavior and focus on the root causes (fear, scarcity, survival) we can help meet children where they are and remind them that their needs will be met, every time.
If you or someone you know could use food resources, local help is available:
Double Up Arizona – Provides extra food credits for SNAP users with no separate application required.
Just Ask Mia – A simple chatbot that connects families to nearby food pantries and meal sites (text “Family/Familia” to 877-558-2261).
211 Arizona – Call or visit the website for statewide food, shelter, and financial assistance listings.
FindHelp.org – Explore additional local food and community support resources online.
Community Voice – Investing in Community
Fewer than 2% of Arizonans use the Qualified Foster Care Organization Tax Credit — will you be one of them?*
Less than 2% of Arizonans take advantage of this opportunity, yet these donations have a real and lasting impact on local nonprofits like Voices for CASA Children. Instead of sending your tax dollars to the state, you can direct them to support child advocacy and children living in foster care — and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit in return.
For the 2025 tax season, you can give up to $618 if filing single or $1,234 if married filing jointly, and receive that full amount back as an Arizona Tax Credit. This credit can also be claimed in addition to other credits, like the QCO or school tax credits.
Voices for CASA Children is a Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO) certified by the Arizona Department of Revenue.
QFCO Code: 10010
*In 2022, 41,472 contributions were made to Qualifying Foster Care Organizations out of an estimated 5,000,000 tax returns. (Arizona Department of Revenue, November 2024)(Common Sense Institute Arizona, November 2023)
In Focus – DCS- MARC Unit
Holiday gatherings are joyful and exciting. However, for youth living in foster care or group homes it can be a time of heightened emotion and even more uncertainty. Youth may decide it is easier to just leave. Perpetrators will also leverage this time of increased vulnerability to entice young people toward substance use or trafficking.
ARS 8-810 establishes specific tasks that must occur when a child runs away, is abducted, or otherwise goes missing from the care of DCS. These are executed by the MARC (Missing and Runaway Children) unit.
Over 80% of children are returned within the first day. Over 70% are missing from a group home setting. Teens make up the majority.
MARC is required to contact certain key parties in the child’s life, including the CASA volunteer, within 24 hours. The CASA volunteer will most likely know the most about the child’s friends, social media and where they might have gone. Another reason CASA volunteers are so crucial and we need more of them.
Want to make a difference in your community?
If this story speaks to you come join us at our next information session, and learn what it really means to become a CASA Volunteer.
My CASA Journey – Cheering together
Cheering on the home team is a core memory for many of us — and thanks to our amazing community partners, youth living in foster care are getting to share in that joy too. This year, CASA youth and volunteers cheered on the Phoenix Mercury through the Finals, enjoyed a Phoenix Suns game, and will soon experience the Valley Suns in action.
One CASA shared, “It was a tough day for my teen, but the game was the perfect distraction. It was so nice to see her happy and cheering again.”
These special experiences are made possible through the generosity of the Valley Suns Community Ticket Program, Phoenix Mercury’s Community Ticket Program, and Tickets4Kids. Together, our community is creating memories these youth will always remember.
Tax Credit Benefits
VOICES is a Qualified Foster Care Organization. You can receive tax credit benefits for your donations in the 2025 tax filing year. QFCO #10010
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