You have the powerful opportunity to impact the life of a child in your community when you volunteer with CASA of Contra Costa County as an advocate for foster children in Concord and the surrounding areas. Foster children come from homes where they were abused and neglected. This is never the child’s fault, but children in the foster system are left to experience the trauma of their past situation as well as this new change in their life. Over 800 children in Contra Costa County feel scared, confused, and lonely every year as a result of being placed in foster care. Children such as these crave hope and support. They long for someone they can trust and depend on and someone who cares.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA volunteers) are regular people who do great things for children in need, and are often the only voice for a child that’s experienced distress and mistreatment. Community members have the ability to provide an amazing service by providing a stable and loving presence in a foster child’s life by volunteering as a CASA volunteer. Children who find themselves in unfamiliar situations may appear tough or angry, but are often breaking with sadness inside. Their family is gone. Their living situation has changed. Nothing is what it used to be, and they’re often left feeling as though it’s their fault. Imagine taking these children to the park. Eating ice cream together. Laughing after a movie or a soccer game. Encouraging them in school. Showing up to advocate for them in court. Watch as they begin to experience excitement and joy again. Picture their face lighting up when you’re there for them when others aren’t. You are that support they need.

CASA volunteers may be the only reliable and stable presence in a child’s life to help encourage, support, and motivate them to keep going. 
•    Only 48% of foster children graduate from high school
•    100% of our CASA-supported youth graduated from high school or are still in school
•    Less than 10% of foster children who graduate will go to college
•    67% of our children who graduated with a CASA went to college or received post-secondary education
That’s the difference a CASA volunteer makes for a child’s education and future. Not only do children with CASA volunteers have higher graduation rates, but they also have a lower rate of being homeless or committing a crime. By being involved in a child’s life to advocate for them, guide them, and support them, you make a tremendous difference for a child that would otherwise feel as though no one cared.

As a CASA volunteer, you can help a child by:
•    Building their trust in people again
•    Giving hope that things will get better
•    Bringing joy to their lives
•    Facilitating positive experiences to overcome negativity
•    Growing their confidence and self-assurance
•    Believing in them to encourage success
CASA volunteers receive 36 hours of training and are part of a team of support for their vulnerable foster child. No prior experience is necessary. 
Expect to motivate a child and give them the extra support they need to overcome their challenges and do well. Listen to them, understand them, and advocate for them. Be there for a child. Be a CASA volunteer. 
Contact us to learn more about this amazing volunteer opportunity!