Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

President & CEO

The Great Gilly Hopkins

A feisty youth in care's outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother has unintended consequences in The Great Gilly Hopkins, an entertaining film for the entire family. Find this on several streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, Tubi, and the Roku Channel.

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!

When I was a CASA, oh so long ago, my five-year-old little girl would often ask me to do her hair. She was African American, and I knew this was not something I should ever do. I advocated for someone more knowledgeable than I to help, but I also felt I should be more culturally aware and at least make an effort to try to understand textures different from my hair. I learned, too, that different skin types needed different products. Over my time at VFC, I have wished there were classes to offer to CASAs as part of our continuing education offerings on these topics. I am thrilled to announce that there is one on December 11, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm by Styles 4 Kidz, which will be our Continuing Education class for this month . Register here for this opportunity. See you there!  https://cacaregivers.org/event/textured-hair-care-11/

This month we highlight Karl who is 14 years old and in need of a CASA. His hearings are heard in Riverside and he is currently living in Hemet. In September 2017 a referral came in as the children were not being taken to school. Daniella goes by Karl and he/him pronouns. He had a CASA who had health issues and had to resign, but Karl needs a lot of attention. He struggles with his relationship with his brother, and his caregiver will not refer to him by his preferences. He needs someone just for him. This case will need someone with REALLY strong boundaries and a lot of patience

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

Congratulations to our CASA of the Month, Sarah H.!

After enduring the traumas of domestic abuse and moving through 14 different placements since the age of five, Zoe* finds a steady source of support, kindness, and stability in her CASA, Sarah. From sharing laughs during trips to the dollar store to savoring sweet moments at the yogurt shop, their bond is a testament to the profound impact one adult can make in a child’s life. Click here to learn more about CASA Sarah's journey with Zoe and how CASA Sarah's fierce determination made all the difference for Zoe as she faced the heart-wrenching challenge of being relocated to a foster home outside Riverside County. 

Kyla Vela joins the Riverside team, working out of the Temecula office. Kyla comes to us with a professional background in educational settings, youth-centered support, and community impact. She is committed to fostering safe, inclusive, and resource-rich environments for youth and families. In her personal time, Kyla enjoys traveling, trying out new coffee shops, and spending time with her friends, family, and Boxer, Pepper. She keeps herself grounded with the quote, “The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Transform Lives on Giving Tuesday - December 3, 2024

Join us in kicking off the holiday giving season on Giving Tuesday! This year, your generosity will go even further thanks to the incredible commitment of a long-time champion of our mission, who will match every dollar you donate on Giving Tuesday up to $25,000. That means all gifts will have double the impact, allowing twice as many CASA volunteers to continue their vital work in our community.

Help spread the word about why you volunteer with Voices for Children and encourage your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and anyone who will listen to consider making a donation this Giving Tuesday! Every gift makes a difference and empowers a CASA volunteer like you to continue vital work, ensuring every child in care is heard, valued, and given the chance to thrive.

Year-End Tax Planning and IRAs

Taxpayers who itemize deductions have until December 31, 2024, to make charitable contributions for their 2023 tax years. Moreover, those 70½ and older can use their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) to support Voices for Children. An IRA charitable rollover gift to Voices for Children may lower income taxes, satisfy the minimum distribution for the year, reduce taxable income even for those who do not itemize deductions, and more. For more information, click here or contact Brianna Miller. 

Leverage Your Gift – Now through December 15, 2024

For the sixth year, VFC is partnering with Focusing Philanthropy, a renowned Southern California-based foundation, for a matching-gift challenge. Through December 15, Focusing Philanthropy will give an additional $1 for every $2 VFC raises, up to $200,000! That’s a total of $300,000, enough to serve 150 children! Gifts must be $500 or greater to qualify for the match.

Click HERE to make your secure online gift and help us reach our campaign goal. Directing your gift to Focusing Philanthropy allows them to confirm that gifts meet their criteria for a match and provide appropriate documentation for the IRS. Focusing Philanthropy does not charge administrative fees, so the entire gift benefits VFC.

Enjoy a Concert for a Cause – Saturday, February 1, 2025

For the third year, VFC is a beneficiary of the Concert Series at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert. On Saturday, February 1, come enjoy a one-of-a-kind concert experience with Billy Nation, a tribute to Billy Joel, while sipping wine (or a nonalcoholic beverage) under the beautiful desert sky. A portion of ticket sales will benefit VFC!

We are beyond grateful to Orr Builders, who graciously offered to sponsor us again this year. Tickets are going fast, so click here to secure yours today!

For further information on ways to give, please contact Brianna Miller.

Dutch Bros Coffee

Thanks to all of you who visited Dutch Bros Coffee in Eastvale and Corona during Bucks For Kids on September 20. That day, $1 from every drink sold at both locations was donated to VFC, totaling $3,600! As a result of the 2024 campaign, Dutch Bros Coffee gave more than $1 million to over 200 youth-focused organizations! They do so much to give back to the community, and we are grateful for their partnership and support of our mission.

Annenberg Foundation 

We are honored to have been awarded a $50,000 grant from The Annenberg Foundation. The family foundation, established in 1989, provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally.

Thanks to their generosity, 25 children will receive the individualized advocacy and support of a CASA.

Know of other fabulous funders? Please contact Brianna Miller.

Small Group: Holiday Craft

Join Advocacy Supervisor Latisha Gary for an afternoon of fun and crafts. Sometimes, foster youth miss out on the opportunity to have keepsakes and cherished memories of their childhood. Join us for a special holiday craft small group to create meaningful crafts that your child can treasure for years to come. We look forward to seeing you there! Please RSVP to LatishaG@speakupnow.org to ensure we have plenty of supplies.

Friday, December 13, 2024; 12:00pm-2:00pm

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

Small Group: CASA Role Review and CASA Manager Volunteer View Review

Join Advocacy Supervisor Alfred Williams as he reviews the role and responsibilities of a CASA, including mileage, monthly contact, best practices, and our newest feature for CASAs, CASA Manager Volunteer View. This small group review is for those who might need a refresher on the duties and commitments of a CASA, as well as to learn how to access, navigate, and upload to our new CASA Manager Volunteer view. This is also an excellent opportunity to discuss challenges and barriers as a CASA and speak with other CASAs who may be experiencing the same. Please RSVP with Alfred at alfredw@speakupnow.org to reserve your spot!

Monday, December 16, 2024; 4:00pm-5:30pm

·     Click this Zoom link and enter the details below..

·   Meeting ID: 843 2092 3417

·   Passcode: 414482

Upcoming Quarterly Book Club: Three Little Words

Join Samantha Poley to discuss the book Three Little Words by Ashely Rhodes-Courter. The memoir recounts nine years of the author's life in fourteen different foster homes. As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system. Painful memories of being taken away from her home quickly become consumed by real-life horrors, where Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed with the help of her CASA volunteer—and in doing so, discovers the power of speaking out. Find this book in several different formats on Amazon. Please send your RSVP to SamanthaP@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025; 12:30pm-2:00pm

·   Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.

·   Meeting ID: 821 4048 2353

·   Passcode: 102290

Scheduled CE Workshops

Per Sharon’s Spotlight, Styles 4 Kidz will provide those who work with black and bi-racial youth an overview of basic hair care, types, texture, skincare; and a time for Q and A! You will learn protective hair styles and product recommendations, introduction to individual braiding, and more. This training is for all genders. Training Certificates are provided that you can turn into your Advocacy Supervisor for CE credit. The class is on December 11, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm online. Register here https://cacaregivers.org/event/textured-hair-care-11/

Helping System-Involved Youth with Holiday Sadness and Pressures

Event presented by California CASA

While the holiday season can be a joyous time for many, it can also be a difficult time. It is a time of year that many experience depression, loneliness, and increased stress. For many system-involved youth, this can be exacerbated as they are not with their families. This training will discuss risk factors and contributing factors for holiday depression and stress. You will also learn strategies to support system-involved youth who struggle during this time of year. The speaker for the webinar will be Dr. Nancy Acosta, Lead Trainer at Klasey Consulting. Register here!

Wednesday, December 4, 2024; 12:00pm-2:00pm

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.  

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert in Rancho Mirage is now a partner with Voices for Children and our CASAs! If a CASA chooses to take their youth to the museum, they will need to purchase their own ticket and show their CASA badge, and then they will receive the youth’s ticket free of charge. 

Color Me Mine

Color Me Mine – Riverside will now waive their studio fee for CASAs and their youth when they show their CASA badge. Please note that there is a cost for the ceramics they may paint, and the price range can exceed the CASA’s limit. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome, but not guaranteed. We encourage you to check out their event page for special items to paint and custom to-go kits, as well!

The Wheelhouse Skating Rink

Starting now, CASAs & their youth can attend The Wheelhouse Skating Rink in Hemet with a waived admission fee and only pay $5.00 for their rental skates! CASAs will need to show their CASA badge for this offer. Happy skating!

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

~Steve Jobs

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