The Space to Shine for Foster Youth 2019

The Alameda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is dedicated to providing quality advocates for foster children that have experienced significant trauma and instability.
Alameda County is home to the largest number of foster children in the San Francisco Bay Area (approximately 1,500). These children have faced childhood abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, sometimes followed by years of instability as they are moved from one foster care placement to another and to multiple new schools. Due to the high number of children in the dependency (foster care) system, Alameda County CASA has been unable to provide advocates for all the youth who need one. Having a CASA volunteer is especially critical for these children as they provide a sense of consistency and stability, even when the child’s situation is otherwise unsettled. 
The support of the community is needed to help Alameda County CASA continue to meet the needs of the county’s foster youth. The The Space to Shine for Foster Youth fundraiser is being held on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Chabot Space & Science Center* in Oakland. Tickets to attend this inspiring program are available here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available until April 15, 2019.
Foster children typically face many challenges in life both prior to and during their time in the dependency system. Unfortunately, they are sometimes subjected to further abuse even after they are in ‘the system.’ While these children need a strong group of individuals who are firmly on their side and looking out for them, not only do social workers change, but children often lack continuity among other important parties as well, including: caregivers, attorneys, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, judges, and even their friends. A CASA volunteer is sometimes the only consistent presence in a child’s life.
What makes this role even more important is that because they are court-appointed, CASA volunteers have the unique responsibility of being a private citizen who reports to the Court about the child’s needs and best interests. There is an ongoing push for Alameda County CASA to serve more children who are in need of a voice. There are currently over 1,200 children waiting to receive an advocate and new referrals come in on a regular basis. Additional funding plays a critical role in Alameda County CASA’s ability match advocates with children in need. The Space to Shine for Foster Youth fundraiser being held on May 23rd is fundamental to the program’s ability to expand and serve more of the county’s neediest youth. 

The Alameda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is dedicated to providing quality advocates for foster children that have experienced significant trauma and instability.

Alameda County is home to the largest number of foster children in the San Francisco Bay Area (approximately 1,500). These children have faced childhood abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment, sometimes followed by years of instability as they are moved from one foster care placement to another and to multiple new schools. Foster children typically face many challenges in life both prior to and during their time in the dependency system. 

The Space to Shine for Foster Youth fundraiser being held on May 23rd and is fundamental to the program’s ability to expand and serve more of the county’s neediest youth. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here

WHEN: Thursday, May 23, 2019, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM 

WHERE: Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland 

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