The Connection Newsletter | April 2026 Edition

A Message From Our CEO, Amy Sugimoto

Dear Friends,

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, a crucial time dedicated to shining a spotlight on a chronic and often hidden crisis affecting children in our communities and across the nation. While our organization works tirelessly year-round to support vulnerable children of Placer, Yuba, and Sutter counties, this month provides a special opportunity for us all to unite, raise our collective voice, and renew our commitment to protecting every child.

Our mission is to provide these children with dedicated CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers who help them navigate the often intimidating and overwhelming complexities of the judicial and foster care systems. But the role of a CASA volunteer extends far beyond the courtroom or legal proceedings. They become a vital anchor in a sea of uncertainty. For many of these youth, their CASA is the first consistent, trustworthy, and stable adult figure they have ever had in their lives—a mentor who listens without judgment, a fierce advocate who ensures their voice is heard, and a source of unwavering support and encouragement through every challenge and triumph.

Our primary goal is to ensure every child finds a safe, permanent, and nurturing home where they can thrive. We couldn't achieve this mission without our compassionate and dedicated community partners. From the volunteers who generously give their time and hearts to change a child's story, to the donors, businesses, and organizations who share our commitment, you make it possible for us to make a tangible difference in the lives of these vulnerable children. Your belief in our cause is the foundation of our work, enabling every success story and every child’s journey toward a brighter future.

This year, in honor of this important month, we are proud to announce a unique and deeply moving event. We will be hosting The Lisa Project at our Roseville Office on Thursday, April 23rd, from 12-8 PM.

Founded in 2010 by Gene Hardin, The Lisa Project is a powerful, multi-sensory exhibit designed to open our eyes to the stark reality of child abuse. This is not a passive display; it is a unique, immersive experience that allows you to see, hear, and feel the world through the eyes of a child who has suffered abuse.

As you walk through a series of rooms, guided by audio narration from a child's perspective, you will be immersed in scenarios that depict the daily struggles, hidden pain, and silent fears these children endure. The experience is intentionally designed to foster a profound level of understanding and empathy, bringing the harsh realities of abuse out of the shadows and into our collective consciousness.

The ultimate goal of The Lisa Project is not to shock, but to inspire meaningful action. By the end of the tour, you will leave not with a sense of despair, but with a heightened awareness and a clear understanding of the positive, tangible steps we can all take to protect children, strengthen families, and build a safer, more nurturing community for everyone. We firmly believe that awareness is the first step toward prevention, and we cordially invite you to take that critical first step with us.

Several other events are also happening throughout April in Placer and Yuba Counties. Click HERE to learn more.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to the foster youth in our community. We are immensely grateful for your partnership and honored to work alongside you. Your commitment makes a profound difference in the lives of these young people, and we truly couldn't do this vital work without you.

With gratitude,

Experience The Lisa Project - April 23rd

We invite you to join us and take that first step.

The Lisa Project is a guided, immersive exhibit that walks visitors through a child's perspective on abuse — helping us all better understand the impact and the role we each play in prevention. The experience takes approximately 10 minutes. Must be 21+ to attend.

🌐 Learn more

🎥 Watch the video

Join us April 23rd, 12 - 8 PM

Spring Tea 2026 Is Almost Here — Grab Your Seat Before It's Gone

Don't miss one of our most beloved events of the year — the 2026 Spring Tea!

Join the Friends of CASA on Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 AM at Orchard Creek Lodge in Lincoln for an afternoon of elegance, friendship, and fun. Enjoy a champagne reception, live music from Low Star Rose, a delicious luncheon, silent and live auctions, a raffle, and the always-festive hat parade. And don't miss the stunning hostess tablescapes — each one a true work of art.

This event sells out every year, so don't wait to grab your seat! Click HERE to purchase your tickets.

Volunteer Spotlight

Honoring CASA Kathy Kennedy

When we think about the heart of our Be Bold Program, Kathy is one of the first people who comes to mind. She first joined our organization as a volunteer back in 2016, and by 2019, she had stepped into the role of Volunteer Case Supervisor — becoming one of the foundational voices that helped shape the program into what it is today. In those early years, especially, her dedication and steady presence made an enormous difference, and we truly could not have built this community without her.

Kathy recently took on an exciting new chapter with us as our VCS Coordinator, and she has stepped into this role with the same wholehearted commitment she brings to everything she does. With tremendous thoughtfulness and care, she has developed a brand-new training curriculum designed to welcome and equip newcomers, while also creating meaningful review and ongoing support opportunities for current VCS. It's the kind of work that doesn't always happen in the spotlight — but it lifts everyone around her, and we see it every single day.

What makes Kathy so extraordinary isn't just her years of service or the new systems she's building — it's the way she shows up. For every volunteer, every case, every new responsibility, Kathy gives more than what's asked. She leads with grace, passion, and a genuine love for this work and the people it serves. We are endlessly grateful to have her in our corner, and we truly cannot sing her praises enough.

Kathy, thank you for eight-plus years of showing up, stepping up, and making our mission possible. We are so lucky to call you one of our own.

If you're interested in becoming a VCS, email Youth Services Director Taylor Baierlen at taylor@casaconnects.org

Join Us for Our Big Day of Giving Launch Party

on April 8th!

Are you ready to make a significant impact this Big Day of Giving? CASA of Placer, Yuba & Sutter is thrilled to kick off our Team Fundraising initiative, and we want you to be a part of it!

To celebrate, we're hosting a special Big Day of Giving Launch Party on Wednesday, April 8th, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Join us at our Roseville office, located at 1430 Blue Oaks Blvd, Suite 260, for an evening of inspiration, collaboration, and community. We'll provide plenty of food and beverages to fuel our mission.

During the event, our dedicated team will guide you through the simple process of setting up your own fundraising team. We'll also provide essential training and tips on how to effectively raise funds. Peer-to-peer fundraising is all about having fun while championing a cause that's close to your heart—and there's no cause more vital than advocating for our community's vulnerable children.

Big Day of Giving is more than just a fundraising event; it's a powerful opportunity to connect with your community, share your passion for helping others, and make a tangible, lasting difference in the lives of foster youth. Whether you want to participate as an individual or rally your business to join the cause, everyone is welcome and needed.

Ready to lead a team and become a champion for CASA? For more information about this exciting opportunity and to get started, please reach out to Julia Boal at julia@casaconnects.org.

We can't wait to see you there! RSVP HERE

Introducing the Zen Den

CASA of Placer, Yuba & Sutter is happy to announce the grand opening of the Zen Den, a brand-new space located at our Roseville office. This dedicated area has been thoughtfully created to provide a nurturing environment where our compassionate volunteers and the youth they support can connect, learn, play, and heal together.

The Zen Den serves as a therapeutic sanctuary designed to help restore a sense of calm, reduce anxiety, and inspire hope for those who have been affected by trauma. Every element, from the soft, ambient lighting to the intentional, soothing decor, has been chosen to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere where individuals can rest, relax, and regroup.

Inside this peaceful retreat, you will find a variety of tools carefully selected to support emotional regulation and grounding. These include fidget tools, soft, comforting textures, and calming visuals, all of which are designed to help settle the nervous system and restore focus. We also have a rich assortment of art supplies, hands-on manipulatives, and imaginative pretend play items. These resources are intended to engage the five senses, a proven technique to help individuals who have experienced trauma ground themselves in the present moment and feel more secure.

This space is open to anybody; just click on the link and sign up for a time that works best for you.

Help Us End Human Trafficking in Placer County

Human trafficking is happening in plain sight across Placer County. Victims, particularly teens, are being exploited in our neighborhoods, but many of us feel powerless, unsure how to help or where to turn. You have the power to change that. We are currently seeking passionate volunteer advocates to support the brave teens in our Be Bold program and help them break free from the cycle of exploitation.

Join us on April 28th from noon to 1 p.m. for an online training to learn more about human trafficking and how your role as a Be Bold Advocate will support and prevent teens from being sexually exploited. This event is a free and informative session hosted by our Youth Services Director, Taylor Baierlein, and Be Bold Case Manager, Preston Doyle.

This training is your first step toward making a tangible difference. You'll learn how to recognize the subtle signs of trafficking, understand the vulnerabilities that put youth at risk, and discover the powerful role you can play by becoming a volunteer advocate.

Don't stand by when you can stand up.

Don't stand by when you can stand up. Be the change our community desperately needs.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday, April 28th

Time: 12:00 PM- 1 PM

Location: ZOOM

Join us for Coffee with a CASA — where current volunteers share the real moments, challenges, and joys of standing up for youth in foster care.

Placer Office: Tuesday, April 7, at 10 AM

1430 Blue Oaks Blvd, Suite 260, Roseville

Click HERE to RSVP

Yuba/Sutter Office: Thursday, May 7, at 12 PM

1634 Poole Blvd Ste 200, Yuba City

Click HERE to RSVP

New Fast Track to Becoming A CASA in Yuba and Sutter Counties — Starts May 9th

Ready to become a CASA in the new year? Our Yuba Sutter Fast-Track Saturday Training offers a convenient, accelerated path to becoming a CASA.

Training Dates:

• Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM – 3:30 PM

• Saturday, May 16 | 9 AM – 3:30 PM

• Graduation: Thursday, May 21 | 8 AM – 1 PM

Through interactive sessions, hands-on activities, and expert-led discussions, you'll gain the skills and confidence to advocate for a child in foster care.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a CASA, there’s no better time to take the first step.

Click HERE to start the process and HERE for our 2026 training schedule.

Continuing Education: April Classes

1️⃣ Independent Living for Foster Youth

Presented by Michelle Graf, Placer County Office of Education (PCOE). Learn who qualifies, how referrals work, and how the program supports current and former foster youth ages 14–21 in building independence. We'll cover key services including case management, workshops, incentives, and needs-based funding, plus how community partnerships connect youth to education, employment, housing, transportation, and wellness resources.

April 14th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Roseville Office: 1430 Blue Oaks Blvd, Suite 260

2️⃣ Understanding Victim Services in Our Community

This session highlights the work of Yuba County Victim Services, including the resources available to crime victims and their specialized support for survivors of sex trafficking, a population that is too often overlooked in our community.

April 20th, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Yuba Sutter Office: 1634 Poole Blvd Ste 200, Yuba City

Help Is Available: Community Assistance Programs

Families facing financial strain, food insecurity, or other challenges can find help through local assistance programs. This resource lists trusted community partners offering food, medical and dental care, utilities, housing, and family support services — with eligibility information and direct links to get you connected quickly.

Volunteer Resource: Free & Low-Cost Activities

Looking for budget-friendly ways in Placer County to connect with your CASA youth or family in January?

Click HERE for some simple ideas.

When "Enough to Eat" Isn't Enough

Millions of Families Can't Afford Good, Nutritious Meals

New data from KidsData puts a number on something many families already know firsthand: access to food isn't just about having something on the table. It's about consistently having the right food for every member of the household.

KidsData recently added a new indicator of household food sufficiency that goes beyond basic hunger to ask whether families can afford nutritious, wholesome meals, not just any food at all.

Nationwide, fewer than two-thirds of children live in households that can always afford both enough food and good-quality food for everyone in the home. California performs better than the national average, with an estimated 69% of children in households that meet that bar. But that still leaves more than one in four California children in families that can't always access the kinds of healthy food they need. Combined with households that can't always afford enough food at all, that's more than 2.5 million young people across the state without consistent access to good, nutritious food.

Advocates, program staff, educators, and families can visit KidsData to learn about the health impacts of uncertain access to nutritious food and explore program and policy options to improve food security for families.

To make a referral to our Family Services program, click HERE

Save the Date: Bite Nite

Bite Nite is back, and this year, we're going glam. Inspired by the opulent world of Palm Royale, our annual Gala Bite Nite promises an unforgettable evening of handcrafted cocktails, bites from Roseville's top restaurants, live music, dancing, and an open bar, all in support of foster youth and families in our community.

📅 September 25, 2026 | 5:00 – 10:00 PM

📍 Rocklin Event Center | 2650 Sunset Blvd, Rocklin, CA

🎟️ Purchase tickets

State funding cuts have created a waitlist for CASA services, and we need your help to change that. Monthly giving is one of the most powerful ways to ensure foster youth and at-risk children get the support they need, when they need it.

What We Do

Every program is built on one belief: connection changes lives.

We offer programs to advocate for children in crisis, strengthen families, and create lasting change — including CASA advocacy, Be Bold mentorship, Family Services, K9s 4 Kids therapy dogs, the CASA Store, and Extracurricular Activity Grants.