The New Year brings a natural crossroad to reflect on our current state in life. We revel in all that has been good and learn from challenges. We remember times when hope came from within and times when others helped us see the way.
Now, it is time to consider the future. Find your purpose, elevate community and enrich lives. For VOICES, 2025 will bring an ever more intentional focus on recruiting CASA volunteers. Each new volunteer is a chance for renewed hope for youth. Each day is precious to a child so we must act urgently. Thank you to all who have joined our mission.
We hope 2025 is your best yet! May you also bring hope to others along the way.
In The Spotlight – My CASA Journey
When you combine the generosity of our community with the creativity of a CASA, the holidays take on an even warmer glow. Two CASA volunteers were hiding bicycles in the foster family’s garage for a Christmas morning surprise.
Other CASAs combined gift cards to purchase a full toddler kitchen set for two young sisters in kinship care – a gift that will delight all year round for that family. One CASA shared her joy about being there on Christmas day with special gifts for a child who had no other visits that day.
Still another CASA volunteer carefully selected baby bottles and blankets to make sure her aging out CASA teen with a newborn had supplies – but also successfully encouraged her to sign up for extended care and arranged with a local agency for diaper resources – focusing on today and tomorrow.
The connection between community, CASA and child is always surprisingly ever present. With the toy drive, VOICES received an outpouring of support from our community this holiday season (thank you)! One Fedex employee remarked he was glad to be delivering toys as he (and his sister) were also in foster care and “one of the lucky ones” as he was adopted at age five. May they all be the “lucky ones” as the CASA journey continues.
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, jump on an upcoming Information Session or check out info online; please join us this year in being a voice for a child!
Positive Outcomes – Activity Ideas to Help Create Connections
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.
Community & Youth Connections – Helen’s Hope Chest
Helen’s Hope Chest is a valuable resource for youth and foster families. They have created a welcoming, boutique style environment that allows children to shop and select clothing, school supplies and other items for themselves. This experience builds self-esteem and self-awareness. The family can share a joyful shopping experience at no cost.
Helen’s was founded in 2009 at a time when services for struggling families were limited by the economic crisis. They continue to help reduce the financial burden for foster and kinship families.
Helen’s believes it is important that every youth who comes through their doors feels a sense of confidence, acceptance, and dignity. We appreciate their approach and collaboration.
Helen’s Hope Chest is also a memorial to Helen Paula Simmons, a former foster child.
Read their inspiring story at Helen’s Hope Chest.
In Focus – Foster Care Review Board
CASA volunteers are crucial to determining a child’s best interest. However, most children in Arizona do not have the benefit of a CASA volunteer.
Another opportunity for oversight and advocacy for youth living in foster care is the Foster Care Review Board (established 1978).
FCRB is an independent, volunteer program administered by the Arizona Supreme Court. Their primary role is to advise the juvenile court on progress toward achieving permanency.
Key Functions
- Case Reviews: Arizona Statute mandates that a child’s case must be reviewed every six months. The board assesses the child’s safety, well-being, and the progress of case plans, including efforts toward reunification, adoption or other permanency arrangements. All parties involved in the child’s case are invited to attend, including CASA volunteers.
- Findings and Recommendations: The board makes recommendations to the juvenile court regarding the best interests of the child. It evaluates the performance of child welfare agencies, parents, and caregivers in fulfilling their case plan responsibilities. The board helps promote timely resolution of cases to avoid a child’s prolonged stay in foster care or youth reaching adulthood (18 yrs) without an appropriate transition plan.
- Monitor Compliance: Reviews compliance with court orders and case plans.
Volunteer Requirements
- Must be 21+ yrs
- Pass fingerprint and background check
- Available one full weekday per month for virtual Board meetings and can spend approximately 6-8 hours reviewing case information prior to the meeting
- Initial and on-going training provided
If you have the heart for serving children in the child welfare system, but a CASA role is not quite right, consider becoming a FCRB volunteer.
Explore Further at azfcrb.org.
Strengthening Advocacy Through Education – School is Back in Session
School is back in session, and students are returning rested, regulated, and ready to learn. Right? While we hope this is true for everyone, we know many children struggle with the transition back into routine. This adjustment can be especially difficult for youth who have experienced trauma, making a strong support network essential to soften the transition.
CASA volunteers play a vital role in providing that support for children during this time. They might plan a calming activity to help the child decompress after their first day back, offer encouragement to ease any anxieties about returning to school, or collaborate with teachers to ensure their CASA youth’s unique needs are met. CASA volunteers are not only strong advocates for a child’s education but also a source of emotional stability, offering insights and perspective to help children navigate challenges in the classroom and beyond.
As children work through these transitions, the presence of a caring and consistent adult can make all the difference- turning moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and connection.
To help CASA volunteers excel in this critical role, VOICES provides a Back-to-School live training series at the beginning of each school year. We also recognize that education is a year-round priority for many CASA volunteers, which is why we offer on-demand training videos available any time. These resources ensure CASA volunteers have the tools, knowledge, and support they need to advocate for the children in their care- every step of the way.
Watch one of our featured training videos on Education!
(This was the Voices of Hope, January 2025 newsletter. Subscribe to receive more.)
