Chance for a Child – Give to help 30 children in 30 days.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” ~Fred Rogers
Last year, 815 children in Montgomery County were in the care of Child Protective Services (CPS) due to abuse and neglect. Experts are predicting that number will increase due to the pandemic. With children out of school and families forced to stay home, combined with additional stress and fear, abuse and neglect are more likely.
Advocates are making sure children from hard places are being taken care of during this time of uncertainty.
WE’D LIKE TO SHARE A FEW OF THEIR STORIES WITH YOU.
- One Advocate, Shellie, was serving four siblings. Shellie found out from their caregiver that she needed diapers and wipes but couldn’t find them at any stores. Shellie tried many stores in her area as well without success. She finally sourced diapers through a non-profit resource center and drove more than 100 miles round trip to pick up and deliver these items on their doorstep. From the driveway, Shellie checked in on the children as the family gathered on their porch. The kids said how happy and excited they were for the coloring books, reading books, and crayons that had been delivered as well. The caregiver was so very grateful, especially for those needed diapers!
- Another Advocate, Maria, tells us that she is using Facetime to chat with the children on her case. Unlike a phone call, the app allows the Advocate to see the children during their visit. Maria also mailed home made Easter cards to the children, much to their delight.
- Advocate Julia gave witness testimony from home during the first-ever Zoom trial in CCL court, answering questions about her case from the County Attorney and the attorney for the child.
Read more stories about how Advocates are looking out for children in foster care HERE.
YOU CAN HELP GIVE EVERY CHILD A CHANCE!
May is National Foster Care month. This month, our goal is to help an additional 30 children by providing them with a volunteer Advocate on their journey to a permanent and happy home.
Before this pandemic, about 6 children entered foster care in our county each week, and it costs approximately $1,500 to provide one child with an Advocate for one year. That’s why our goal for this campaign is to raise $45,000 by May 30th.
If we raise that amount, we’ll be able to provide 30 children in foster care with Advocates for a whole year.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Referred to as the “eyes and ears of the court,” Advocates are community volunteers – people just like you who believe that every child deserves to be loved, cared for, and protected. The Advocate speaks for the child in court, and looks out for their best interest with things like medical care, education, and housing.
Most importantly, CASA volunteers are often the only consistent, positive adult in the lives of abused and neglected children during a time of chaos, confusion, and hurt.
CASA is a volunteer organization. Our Advocates are all highly trained community volunteers. But there are costs to our work. (Broken down, it amounts to a little more than $4 a day to provide a trained CASA Advocate to a child in need.)
WE SIMPLY CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
Your support will make a real, lasting impact for a foster child that is still in need.
Every single child deserves a chance. That chance is you!
Can you help these kids? Can you find it in your heart to make sure they too have a CASA Advocate to be there for them?
To make a difference for a child today, DONATE HERE.
