CASA Lake County has always provided educational advocacy to children in care, but the need has never been greater. As children and adolescents returned to school this year – again, dealing with the complications and uncertainty of Covid-19 – our CASA volunteers committed themselves to doing everything within their power to ensure that the kids in their cases had everything they needed to success in school. This includes everything from helping children and foster families access technology and school uniforms; attending virtual IEP meetings; contacting teachers and school social workers; and strategically outlining the individualized educational needs in each child’s court report when it is time for a court hearing. This is what CASAs do all year, even during a pandemic. CASAs focus on the individual needs of each and every child in our program and advocate for their best interests however possible.

As kids all across the country are returning to a new version of school, we honor and thank all of our CASAs who walk in the uncertainty and through the complications with ALL of our children, especially the children in foster care, in need of their advocacy and support like never before.

We are grateful to The Junior League of Evanston-Northshore for raising $200 during their engagement event in August to provide uniforms and clothing items for CASA children in need for back to school!

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 marks Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month, we recognize and honor the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic community. For many Hispanic children in the foster care system, however, it can be challenging for them to identify with their culture. In FY21 approximately 19% of the children we served are Hispanic, while only 4% of CASA volunteers are Hispanic.

CASA Lake County is looking for more Hispanic and bilingual community members to become volunteers and advocate for Hispanic children in the foster care system.

If you are interested, please fill out a volunteer application or share our Hispanic Heritage post (find it on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) with your network. You never know who might see it!

Mark your calendar! Kendra Scott is partnering with CASA Lake County on Thursday October 21st and 22nd. CASA will host a Zoom jewelry party and for any purchases made there, online, and at Kendra Scott in Old Orchard mall, 20% of all proceeds will be donated back to CASA! Here's your chance to shop and feel great about it!

To Susan and Jeff for their unwavering advocacy of their five CASA children. Susan has continued to be a support system for the foster parents of a four year old girl, as the child has continued to exhibit challenging behavior. She has also communicated well and established wonderful rapport with the foster parents of two of the other children as well as the caseworker. Jeff has been instrumental in working with the agency to evaluate potential pre-adoptive parents for one of his two CASA boys.

To Lynne who continues to be a tremendous support for her CASA family. As the relative caregiver has had difficulty navigating school protocols and expectations, Lynne stepped in to ensure deadlines were met and that the caregiver understood what needed to be done. Lynne worked diligently with the school, amidst many obstacles, to get the children registered for the new school year and to ensure that two of the children would be able to participate in cross country.