May is National Foster Care Month: Honoring the Journey of Foster Children and Advocates

During National Foster Care Month, we celebrate the power of advocacy, community support, and the commitment of individuals and organizations working together to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care. At CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), we understand that every child deserves a safe, loving environment in which they can grow and thrive. Our mission is to be a voice for children in foster care, ensuring their needs are met and their rights are upheld.

The Role of CASA in Changing Lives

CASA volunteers are trained individuals who step up to make sure that every child in foster care has a dedicated advocate. As a CASA volunteer, your role is to be the child's voice in court and in the community. You work closely with the child, their caseworker, and other professionals to gather information about the child’s needs, preferences, and emotional state, and ensure that those needs are being met.

By having a CASA advocate, children in foster care are more likely to be placed in permanent homes faster, experience fewer placement disruptions, and are less likely to re-enter the foster care system. Studies show that children with CASA advocates also tend to perform better in school and have a greater sense of stability and security.

How You Can Make a Difference

National Foster Care Month is a time for all of us to reflect on how we can contribute to the well-being of foster children. There are several ways you can make a difference:

1. Become a CASA Volunteer: The need for passionate and dedicated volunteers is greater than ever. If you are ready to make a lasting impact in the life of a child, becoming a CASA volunteer could be your chance to change a life. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer: https://www.casaofsangamoncounty.org/volunteer 

2. Spread Awareness: Use National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the foster care system. Share articles, attend events, or simply have conversations with friends and family to inform them about the challenges foster children face and how we can help.

3. Support Foster Families: Foster families open their hearts and homes to children in need. Whether through small acts of kindness, offering temporary care, or donating household items, supporting foster families can help them provide a nurturing environment for children.

   
   

Honoring Foster Children and Their Resilience

As we celebrate National Foster Care Month, let us honor the courage and resilience of foster children. Many of these children have experienced unimaginable trauma, yet they continue to move forward, often with incredible determination to build a brighter future for themselves.

Together, we can offer them the support they need to succeed. Through advocacy, volunteerism, and community involvement, we can ensure that every foster child knows they are seen, heard, and cared for. Let’s join hands this month—and every month—because when we come together, we create brighter futures for foster children everywhere.

Join Us in Making a Difference

At CASA, we are grateful for the dedicated volunteers, foster families, and community partners who help create change. This National Foster Care Month, let’s continue our commitment to being the voices of children who need us the most.

To learn more about how you can support CASA and foster children, or to become a CASA volunteer, visit https://www.casaofsangamoncounty.org/volunteer 

Together, we can make every child feel seen, heard, and supported.