Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS

President & CEO

Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class

In this intriguing coming-of-age memoir, Rob Henderson vividly recounts growing up in foster care, enlisting in the US Air Force, attending elite universities, and pioneering the concept of “luxury beliefs”—ideas and opinions that confer status on the upper class while inflicting costs on the less fortunate.

If you have read this book, please let your supervisor know, and you will be credited with 4 of your 12 required hours of Continuing Education!

We are still searching for a CASA for 15-year-old Landon. He lives in Hemet, and his courthouse is in Murrieta.

In February 2023, Landon was living with a legal guardian - his parents are both deceased from a fentanyl overdose. Landon's guardian is now deceased as well. Landon has no one other than his foster parents. He witnessed his legal guardian deceased from substances and tried to revive him. He has services through Inland Regional Center - he has autism. Landon has a tic disorder.  He is suffering from severe emotional damage with the loss of parents and now guardians.  Landon needs someone for him to advocate for all of his needs.

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, Dr. Keri O.! While many are inspired by the difference a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer can make, some might put off committing to this role because it can seem intimidating to balance a full-time job and volunteering. This is a misnomer as it’s a very doable role for a community member who works full-time — only taking 10 hrs. a month to serve as an advocate. The desire and willingness to be of service to a child in need is the most important thing, and that is what drove Dr. Keri O., a CEO, co-founder of an HR consulting firm, author, and podcast co-host, to become a CASA. 

Click here to learn more about CASA Keri's four-year journey with her youth, Brenda*, and be inspired by her transformation from a shy and soft-spoken girl to a determined and assertive young woman. 

We are thrilled to announce our newest Advocacy Supervisor, Erin Estes! Most recently, Erin served as an Advocacy Supervisor with the San Diego Voices for Children team. Prior to serving as an Advocacy Supervisor, Erin held various professional positions working in the legal field and serving youth throughout the community. This work included supporting diverse individuals and families through complex legal situations as they navigated the legal system. Prior to working in family law, Erin served as a student worker for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office in the paralegal unit navigating difficult cases and supporting community members. Erin has served youth throughout the community in various roles to include Youth Development Professional at the Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad and as an AVID tutor supporting various grade levels and subjects for the San Dieguito Union High School District. In her free time, Erin enjoys spending time with her family and friends near the water or in the desert! Erin continues to look forward to serving as an advocate for youth throughout the community. Welcome, Erin!

Dutch Bros Giveback Day

For the third year, VFC has been selected as a benefiting charity of Dutch Bros’ giveback day, “Bucks for Kids.” On Friday, September 20, $1 of every drink sold at its Eastvale and Norco locations will be donated to VFC.

Start the morning, get through the afternoon slump, or beat the heat all day long with a delicious beverage served with a smile at the following locations:

Eastvale: 13322 Limonite Ave.

Norco: 3561 Hamner Ave.

Buy a Book. Benefit VFC.

“The Child Catcher” by Andrew Bridge

In his second book, The Child Catcher, Andrew Bridge, the author of Hope’s Boy, chronicles his role in the longest-running, most bitterly fought mental health lawsuit in American history. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Bridge joined the small team of civil rights lawyers representing the children of the Eufaula Adolescent Center, a violent and secretive institution in the rural South, against the State of Alabama.

Through September 20^th, Andrew, who spent 11 years in LA County’s foster care and is a fervent supporter of CASA, is graciously donating 50% of his presale royalties to the CASA program of your choice, as well as a 20% discount. To purchase your copy to benefit VFC, click here, select the ‘Pre-Order to Support CASA’ tab, and select ‘CA – Voices for Children’ from the drop-down list. You can also add a note that you’d like to support the Riverside County program specifically.

“Whatever the Hell You Want” by Keri Ohlrich, PhD & Kelly Guenther

A huge congratulations to our very own, CASA Keri Ohlrich, on the recent publishing of her first book! Starting August 1 through October 8, if you purchase the book and post the receipt on social media with the hashtag #WhateverTheHellYouWant, a portion of the sales will go to VFC.



In Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life's Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations, Keri and her business partner and best friend, Kelly Guenther, bring their twenty-plus years of coaching and corporate-change expertise to help you redefine what you want in your life—outside the expectations that have been placed on you by your parents, partners, society, and even yourself. Decades of working with small businesses and Fortune 500 companies led them to create the BREAK model for real change.

For a more detailed description and to order your copy, click here.

Focusing Philanthropy's Matching-gift Campaign

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. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Focusing Philanthropy, and mail it to Focusing Philanthropy at 1637 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404. 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 any administrative fees, so the entire gift benefits VFC.

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

Fabulous Funder  

Windermere Foundation

For the past 35 years a portion of every Windermere real estate agent’s commission has been donated to the Windermere Foundation, which has awarded over $50 million to more than 500 organizations. In June, Windermere Tower Properties in Riverside encouraged residents to nominate their favorite nonprofit. We were so honored to have been selected as one of the five nominees and to ultimately have won third place in the Windermere Foundation Giveaway, which resulted in a $1,000 gift.

Thank you, Windermere Foundation, for your devotion to supporting our neighbors in need and for your collective commitment to building thriving communities.

Know of other fabulous funders? Please contact Brianna Miller.

Exciting update! Going forward, CASAs are required attend only one Small Group each year as part of your Continuing Education requirement!

Small Group: CASA Self Care

Your relationship with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship you have! Join Advocacy Supervisor, Samantha Poley, in the Temecula office on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in understanding the importance of self-care while supporting others. Staying well is something we all strive for. In our small group, we will identify partners in your journey and brainstorm practical tools to help you create a personalized plan to support your wellness goals. 

RSVP to SamanthaP@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.

Thursday, September 19, 2024; 3:30pm-5:00pm

Temecula Office: 1 Ridgegate, Suite 120 , Temecula, CA 92590

Small Group: Transitioning to Remote Advocacy

Explore effective strategies for advocating for children when a case shifts remotely due to placement changes. Our focus will be on maintaining strong communication, ensuring support, and navigating the challenges of remote advocacy. Join Gabriela Mata to develop innovative methods to maintain remote connections with children and strengthen our relationships! RSVP to GabrielaM@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.

Monday, September 23, 2024; 10:00am-11:30am

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

Quarterly Book Club: Garbage Bag Suitcase

Join Angeles Lopez for a discussion about the book Garbage Bag Suitcase by Shenandoah Chefalo. Follow Shenandoah on a wholly dysfunctional journey through a childhood with neglectful, drug-and alcohol-addicted parents. After being abandoned by her mother for months at her grandmother’s retirement community, she asks to be put into foster care. Surely she would fare better at a stable home than living with her mother? It turns out it was not the storybook ending she had hoped for. Find this book in several formats on Amazon. Send your RSVP to AngelesL@speakupnow.org to let her know you plan to attend.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024; 6:00-7:30pm

·   Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.

·   Meeting ID: 882 8069 8694

·   Passcode: 502258

Scheduled CE Workshops

Fostering Educational Success: The Guardian Scholars Program

Event presented by The Alliance for Children's Rights

The Guardian Scholars Program is a comprehensive college-based program focused on supporting former foster youth in higher education. Through advocacy, support, and empowerment, the Guardian Scholars Program creates vibrant communities on California college and university campuses to engage current and former foster youth to attain college degrees, stable housing, and career-path employment. Please join us for this informative webinar to learn more about the program and the campus supports and resources that are available for former or current foster youth seeking post-secondary education. Register here!

Wednesday, September 25, 2024; 10:00am-12:00pm

Community College Resources for Students in Foster Care & FAFSA Overview

Join Advocacy Supervisor, Angeles Lopez, along with speaker Guadalupe Calderon, Outreach Specialist at College of the Desert for a Zoom meeting to learn more about resources for students in foster care attending community college, a FAFSA overview, and job resources on campus. 

Please RSVP to Angelesl@speakupnow.org so she knows you are planning to attend.

Thursday, September 26, 2024; 4:00pm-5:30pm

• Click this Zoom link and enter the details below.
• Meeting ID: 841 1675 0597
• Passcode: 211274

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 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.

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, 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 go above 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!

"It's easy to make a buck, it's a lot tougher to make a difference."

~Tom Brohaw

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