Impact Report

How our CASAs and supporters made a difference for children in FY2020-2021.

Our experiences in childhood shape us.

From familiar smells to relational cues, the earliest memories mold a person’s preferences, outlook, and even brain development. Children who are abused and neglected don’t just experience pain in the moment. They are forever changed by the impact of trauma.

pretty young african woman helping her adorable son ride a bike

One caring adult can make all the difference for a child who has experienced trauma.

Posing playfully for portraits smiling and being silly a Chinese Mother with daughter of mixed Chinese and African American ethnicity at home indoors (Shot with Canon 5DS 50.6mp photos professionally retouched - Lightroom / Photoshop - original size 5792 x 8688 downsampled as needed for clarity and select focus used for dramatic effect)

Voices for Children is a private, nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers (CASAs) who speak up for the needs and well-being of children in foster care.

Recognizing the powerful impact of a CASA volunteer, Surgeon General of California Dr. Nadine Burke Harris explained, “It just takes one stable relationship with a caring adult to help reverse the negative impacts on a child who’s experienced abuse or neglect.” For many children in foster care, that relationship is with their CASA.

This year, we reached thousands of children across San Diego and Riverside Counties through the exceptional advocacy of specially-trained CASA volunteers.

Our Impact in FY2020-2021

children served by Voices for Children across San Diego and Riverside Counties

community members served as CASA volunteers

Exceptional advocacy begins with understanding

A CASA’s advocacy is unique because it is based on an individualized understanding of the child’s needs. A CASA spends time with the child and speaks with the child’s teachers, caregivers, therapists, social workers, and others. Equipped with critical information about the child, the CASA then identifies needed resources and advocates for them in court, schools, health care settings, and the community.

Happy grandmother coloring with her grandchildren at home

Stories from Our Program

Someone to Count On - Read Malia's Story

“Malia” has been through more in her life than most of us can comprehend. The girl first entered foster care at age 2 and was soon adopted. However, through no fault of her own, the adoption failed. She returned to the dependency system a year and a half later before being adopted once again.

Unfortunately, Malia’s second adoptive mother began suffering from mental illness. Her erratic behavior resulted in multiple visits from law enforcement and social workers. Their reports noted that her mother would make comments about not wanting Malia and threaten to abandon her. When officials determined it was no longer safe for 7-year-old Malia to stay in the home, she entered foster care for the third time.

At that point, Malia had been let down by every adult in her life — until she met CASA Diane. Living a life filled with uncertainty, Malia suffered from extreme anxiety and behavioral issues, which resulted in several placement changes. In a span of three years, Malia lived in 11 different placements. No matter where she went, Diane visited consistently and on multiple occasions, advocated to ensure Malia had the resources she needed. When a new placement was across the county from her therapist, Diane advocated to find a new provider to make sure Malia wouldn’t miss a session. When Malia changed schools, Diane attended IEP meetings to ensure Malia received the best support for her education.

About three years after Diane was assigned to Malia’s case, the COVID-19 pandemic began. Malia’s cherished visits with her CASA became virtual. However, Diane found creative ways to stay connected and continued to support every aspect of Malia’s well-being.

In October 2020, a family showed interest in adopting Malia. Diane believed this family could be a good fit and developed a relationship with the prospective adoptive parents. The family reached out to Diane multiple times to learn more about Malia and would FaceTime Diane during their visits. After getting Malia’s blessing, they decided to move forward with adoption!

Today, Malia is 11 years old, and her adoption is expected to be finalized soon. Her new mom says she’s forever grateful for Diane’s guidance and the resources offered by Voices for Children. She even made matching friendship bracelets for herself, Malia, and CASA Diane, because Diane played such a big a role in bringing this family together.

A Forever Home - Read Ava & Aiden's Story

All Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) support youth on their journey to find a safe and permanent home. In some cases, it’s the CASA volunteer who actually makes it happen.

When CASA Carol first met “Ava” and “Aiden,” the siblings were living in a foster home with foster parents who adored them. However, the decision was made to move the children to live with a relative more than 100 miles away. Although Carol was here in Riverside County, this dedicated CASA stayed on the case.

Once in their new living situation, Ava and Aiden started experiencing behavior issues and struggling in school. Through her regular communication with school personnel, other professionals, and the children themselves, CASA Carol learned that the children were being emotionally abused in the home. She also discovered that law enforcement had been called to the house multiple times following reports from concerned neighbors. Carol immediately began advocating for the children to be removed from the relative and returned to the care of their original foster parents. After a year of persistent advocacy, the court approved the move.

Ava and Aiden were finally back in the foster home where they had thrived, but CASA Carol’s work was far from done. She advocated for the children to receive the appropriate services to get them back on track. When their foster parents shared that they wanted to adopt the siblings, Carol was in full support.

Despite obstacles, Carol advocated persistently for this permanent placement. In September 2021, after more than four years on the case, it happened. CASA Carol was in the courtroom when a judge finalized Ava and Aiden’s adoption. The children, now 10 and 9, were relieved and elated to finally have their forever family. Both the children’s attorney and their foster mom who adopted them said that the adoption would not have happened without the CASA. Thanks to CASA Carol’s caring heart and unyielding persistence, two children get to have the loving home and childhood they deserve.

Together, we continue to give children a voice.

Service in San Diego County

FY2020-2021 marked 40 years of providing advocacy to children in foster care in San Diego County. As one of the earliest CASA programs in the nation, our San Diego County program remains committed to providing exceptional advocacy to children.

Read Full San Diego County Report

Service in Riverside County

This year marked six years of service to children in foster care in Riverside County. We are proud to have grown to serve even more children in our sixth year and are grateful for the community that has come alongside us to continue providing exceptional advocacy to children.

Read Full Riverside County Report

A CASA’s consistency means they will be there when it matters most.

Our Financials

During FY2020-2021, Voices for Children received generous financial support totaling $8,717,039. Because of you, we were able to serve 3,729 children across San Diego and Riverside Counties.

View our financial statements in the full report.