Local Volunteer Teams Up with Electronics Business to Surprise Youth in Foster Care with Special Holiday Gifts
A CASA volunteer and HM Electronics distributed bicycles to youth in foster care this past weekend.
WHAT:
On Saturday, Dec. 18, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers with Voices for Children received a holiday surprise for the children they support. Jamie Evans, a current CASA volunteer with the organization, along with Kevin Herde, and HM Electronics – a specialized communications, audio, and software solutions manufacturer – donated 20 bikes to create special holiday memories for youth in foster care.
The team at HM Electronics came together to assemble the bikes in the weeks leading up to the distribution to ensure children had presents to bring them joy.
In addition to the bikes, other gifts, including pajamas and books, were distributed over the weekend.
WHY:
For children and teenagers who are in foster care and separated from their families, the holidays can be a difficult time of year. Children in foster care have experienced abuse and neglect, and the caring CASA volunteers at Voices for Children ensure children have every opportunity to achieve stability. While CASAs support youth in a myriad of ways year-round, this was a unique opportunity to ensure the children they support could fully embrace the holiday season.
QUOTES:
“Our CASA volunteers go above and beyond to support their children, and this includes identifying opportunities to share simple moments of joy with them during the holidays,” said Kelly Capen Douglas, president and CEO of Voices for Children. “We are so grateful to Jamie, Kevin, HM Electronics, and others for helping to make that holiday magic happen during what often is a very difficult time of year for children in foster care. We want our community’s children to know that there are people who care about them and who want to make a difference in their lives.”
“It’s amazing; it brings joy to kids who haven’t had that consistency,” said Jaclyn A., a CASA volunteer with Voices for Children. “I can’t wait to show up, and I’m going to be like Santa today!”
“He’s going to be super excited because his bike just broke, and he probably wouldn’t have gotten one otherwise, said Lori V., a CASA volunteer with Voices for Children.
“I have two teenage boys out of a sibling set of seven. They have a lot going on in their lives right now, and they really need every bit of encouragement I can give,” said Marco E., a CASA volunteer with Voices for Children. “My biggest challenge is keeping them engaged and encouraging them to attend school. I’m hoping these books will spark something that they might be interested in.”
Sandra A., a CASA volunteer with Voices for Children, shared, “I have a set of four siblings. They’re in transition right now, so these duffel bags will be important for their move.”
ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT:
- Organization: Voices for Children
- To coordinate interviews: Contact Hector Zermeño, Hector@gomixte.com, 619-732-0789 x 432
- Link to use in your story:
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ABOUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN
Founded in 1980, Voices for Children (VFC) transforms the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in foster care in San Diego and Riverside Counties by providing them with trained, volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group in court, school, and in the community to ensure their needs are met. VFC believes that every child deserves a safe and permanent home, and strives to provide a CASA volunteer to every child in the foster care system who needs one. Last year, VFC CASAs and staff served more than 3,700 children in foster care across San Diego and Riverside Counties. For more information, visit www.speakupnow.org.
CASA of the Month – December 2021