Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

President & CEO

Gimme Shelter

Agnes "Apple" Bailey has never had an easy life. She's been in and out of foster care for years, and her mother, June, is an abusive drug addict who only wants her for the welfare money she provides. She decides to run away and go in search of her absent father Tom Fitzpatrick, whom she discovers is now a wealthy Wall Street broker with a family. Tom agrees to take her in, but she's quickly forced out again and is eventually taken under the wing of Father McCarthy (James Earl Jones), the chaplain of the local hospital after almost getting herself killed. He offers to let Apple live at a shelter for pregnant young women where she gradually begins to make a family for herself. Find this on Amazon!

If you have watched this movie, please let your supervisor know and you will be credited with 2 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!

This month’s case is in need of a younger male, Spanish speaking CASA

Orion is alone in the United States. His mother and siblings visit via video calls from Guatemala. He is in a good foster home but is seeking more connections with people. He would really benefit from a younger male Spanish speaking CASA.

If you are interested in learning more about this case or considering taking another, please contact Sharon Morris.

Congratulations to our Riverside County CASA of the Month, Jodi D.! Non-minor dependents or youth in foster care who have opted to remain in care beyond their 18th birthday can face barriers with their early independence. However, CASA volunteers can provide youth with stability and guidance to help them develop a personal sense of identity and experience growth as emerging adults. This is precisely what CASA Jodi has done for her case youth, Alexa*. Click here to learn more about how CASA Jodi has advocated for and formed a trusting relationship with Alexa.

Amanda Szydlowski has rejoined the Voices for Children team as a Distance Advocacy Specialist for Riverside County. Amanda previously served with the Voices team in Riverside as an Advocacy Supervisor and an Assistant Program Manager. Over the last several years, Amanda worked with individuals experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. This work included directing a crisis housing shelter for Transitional Age Youth experiencing homelessness as well as liaising with elected offices and community groups through the Government and Community Relations team with the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority, for the purpose of advocacy and increased service delivery. Prior to originally joining the Voices for Children team, Amanda worked with Riverside County’s Economic Development Agency at the Housing Authority of the County of Riverside as well as taught elementary-aged students and coached volleyball and basketball. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to live music, and finding a great new brunch spot. We are so happy to have her back in the VFC family!

With April being Child Abuse Awareness Month and May being National Foster Care Month, this is the perfect time to get your friends, family, workplace, community group, place of worship, etc., involved in the amazing work that you do with Voices for Children. Here are some examples of ways to help spread awareness and/or raise funds:

• Host a lunch and learn program at your place of business or with a group of friends.

• Host a happy hour, silent auction, or bake sale with your friends or colleagues to

raise funds to support VFC.

• Create a Facebook or Instagram fundraiser for VFC.

• Publish information about VFC in your company or organization newsletter and on

social media.

• Create a contest where employees make a donation for a chance to win an extra

day off.

• Display VFC flyers on bulletin boards and in breakrooms & lobbies. 

• Allow VFC to place a banner in your lobby for a week. 

• Choose VFC to benefit from your self-organized special events and philanthropy. 

If you plan any of the above activities, let us know so we can help and share!

Target Circle Community Giving

Target Circle is Target's loyalty program, available for free to all Target guests. Starting April 1st through June 30th, Target Circle members can earn and cast votes for VFC! At the end of the 90-day campaign, we will receive a grant based on the percentage of votes we receive. 

Stay tuned for additional information. 

For more information about ways to help, please contact Brianna Miller.

Fabulous Funder

Silverhawk Self Storage

Our participation in this year’s CV Giving Day campaign was a huge success. Because of the amazing work you all do every day, the community, including a local charitable fund, helped us raise $45,259 to provide more children in the Coachella Valley with a CASA of their own. Thank you to those of you who donated and helped us spread the word.

We are also very grateful to the sponsors, Desert Community Foundation, FirstBank, and the RAP Foundation, which provided $5,000 prizes to qualifying nonprofits. VFC was so excited to be one of the selected winners!

City of Temecula

Last month, we received $2,500 from the City of Temecula Community Service funding program. This was our first grant from the city since 2018. We look forward to using these funds for outreach events and other efforts to recruit additional CASAs in Temecula. We are so grateful to our new neighbors for their support of our mission!

Please keep in mind that you must attend three Small Groups each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!

Small Group: Accessing Funds for Your Youth's Future

Did you know there are resources throughout Riverside County that have special funds for foster youth?! Join Marsha Carey for a list of resources and ways to access financial assistance for your case child's future dreams, whether that be college, vocational school, or any special program of interest. RSVP to MarshaC@speakupnow.org to let her know you will be attending.

Friday, April 19, 2024; 3:00pm-4:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 836 2981 7153
• Passcode: 955914

Small Group: Let's Taco 'bout Frustrations!

Welcome to our Riverside CASA small group gathering, where advocacy meets relaxation! Picture this: a place, where CASA volunteers come together not just to vent, but also to brainstorm solutions over some delicious tacos and nachos. Our small group sessions are all about creating a supportive and fun environment. It's not just about airing grievances; it's about finding creative ways to navigate challenges and support each other along the way. Need tips on how to handle stress? We've got you covered! From mindfulness techniques to self-care strategies, we're here to share and learn together.

And of course, what's a CASA gathering without some good food? Dive into our taco and nacho bar, where you can customize your own culinary creations while swapping stories and building connections with fellow advocates. If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of advocacy life, come join us for good company, tasty treats, and maybe even a few insights that'll make your advocacy journey a little smoother. 

RSVP to LatishaG@speakupnow.org to save your spot.

Monday, April 2, 2024; 5:00pm-7:00pm

Riverside Office: 11870 Pierce St., Suite 260, Riverside, CA 92505

Upcoming Book Club: Demon Copperhead 

In recognition of National Foster Care Month in May, Brianna invites you all read and discuss the fiction novel Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the mountains of southern Appalachia, it’s the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother in a single-wide trailer, with no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival. In a plot that never pauses for breath, relayed in his own unsparing voice, he braves the modern perils of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.

Brianna loved it and looks forward to hearing your thoughts. Please come prepared with a line or moment from the story that resonated with you, especially in relation to your work as a CASA.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024; 5:30pm-7:00pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 868 5012 2564
• Passcode: 24811

Scheduled CE Workshops

Human Trafficking Information

Wednesday, April 17, 2024; 11:00am-12:30pm

Event presented by Voices for Children

Join Advocacy Supervisor, Paloma Quiroz, Outreach Specialist, Cesar Segura from the Coalition to end Human Trafficking, and Karina Castro, Community Service Officer assigned to the Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force. Casas should expect to learn about the various forms of human trafficking, the tactics used by traffickers, the impact on victims, and ways to recognize and combat trafficking in their communities. RSVP to PalomaQ@speakupnow.org to reserve your spot!

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 819 8258 2339
• Passcode: 656841

Unlocking Understanding: A Series Dedicated to Serving Youth in Foster Care

Wednesday, April 24, 2024; 12:00pm-1:0pm

Event presented by California CASA

Presented by Lacy Alana, psychotherapist, trainer, and multi-disciplinary artist. This ongoing series has been designed to empower and quip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively support foster youth with some common challenges. During each one-hour session, you’ll learn some essentials on the topic, insights on how to help, and practical strategies for providing compassionate support. Webinars will be recorded an available on California CASA’s E-Learning Center. Register here !

10th Annual Foster and Homeless Youth Services Summit

Friday, April 26, 2024; 10:00am-11:00am

Event presented by John Burton Advocates for Youth

Turning Dreams into Degrees is a two-part training that equips caregivers, including STRTP staff and resource families, to prepare youth in their care for postsecondary education success. This 1-hour training will provide an overview of updates made to the curricula since December 2022. These updates will include information on the new FAFSA and changes to campus support programs as well as general updates made to the presentation materials. Register here!

Opportunities for College-Bound and Transitional-Aged Youth

Financial Aid Completion Resource

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) has compiled a Financial Aid Completion Resource guide for California foster and homeless youth to help students, and their adult supporters, apply for and maintain financial aid.  

2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The 2024-2025 FAFSA form is now available for those looking to attend college between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete the FAFSA form.  

Free Virtual Self-Filing Tax Guide

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) and iFoster have partnered to create a free, virtual self-filing tax guide, providing step-by-step instructions for current and former foster youth to file their taxes and claim the $1,117 Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). The virtual guide walks youth through common tax scenarios, such as reporting financial aid and claiming dependents. Youths using the guide should be able to file their taxes in under an hour. Young adults who have already filed their taxes and missed the FYTC can file an amendment to their existing return and still claim the credit.

High School Scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for Cal Coast Cares Foundation’s High School Scholarships. This scholarship program recognizes outstanding students for their dedication to academic excellence and community leadership. Students can receive up to $2,000 towards college expenses. To qualify, students must be planning to enroll in 12 or more college units. The deadline to apply is April 15.

"The gift of service leads to a life of love."

~Mary White

Voices for Children | 951-472-9301 | www.speakupnow.org