Essential Needs
Resources for Court Appointment Special Advocates
Voices for CASA Children is dedicated to supporting CASA volunteers and providing a brighter future for the children they serve. Now, thanks to a generous grant from Season for Sharing, VOICES can provide immediate assistance when an advocate reports an urgent, unmet need on behalf of his or her CASA child.
Most needs, however, can be addressed within five to seven days by one of the many organizations working on behalf of foster children in Maricopa County. Please contact them directly if time allows. To better assist you, we’ve provided a brief description below of the organizations CASA volunteers turn to most frequently for assistance and a link for each. Please be sure to tell them VOICES referred you!
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation promotes the self-esteem and enriches the lives of children in foster care in Arizona by funding social, athletic and educational activities and other items that provide them with quality experiences while they live through very difficult circumstances. Some examples include apartment set-up, bicycles, camps, lessons, prom expenses and tutoring services.
Arizona Helping Hands helps foster families provide a safe, loving environment for children in the Department of Child Safety system. Their programs can provide many basic needs for CASA boys and girls, including toys, toiletries, diapers, cribs/twin beds, and backpacks and school supplies. To place an In Need request with Arizona Helping Hands, click here. They can even provide a personalized birthday package of toys and gifts to celebrate a child’s birthday; just complete a request 4 – 6 weeks before the birthday.
Helen’s Hope Chest provides foster youth in Arizona with quality clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, books, gifts and more at no cost to their foster parents. The boutique-like environment encourages children and teens to make their own clothing and accessory selections. For more information or to schedule an appointment for your CASA child, please call 480-969-5411.
Southwest Human Development can provide support for CASA children through numerous programs, primarily supporting children birth to five years of age. Their child welfare programs and assistive technology programs serve children up through 18 years of age.
CASA volunteers can also access phone support with early childhood specialists and area resources through the Birth to Five Helpline at (877) 705-5437, M – F, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Essential Needs Program
The Essential Needs Program provides gift cards for CASAs to shop for essential items needed by their CASA Children – from shoes to winter coats. These are offered in quarterly campaigns based upon season to the CASAs.
However, a CASA may recognize an urgent need for their CASA child that is not met by these campaigns and is needed immediately given the child’s current circumstances. Please provide the following information and VOICES will contact you to provide assistance and additional resource referrals if available.
