May 2025

May is National Foster Care Month, and we are so thankful to everyone who is involved in supporting foster youth on their journeys. From our CASA volunteers to our community partners to the many individuals who are passionate about helping our kids, we appreciate all of you!

Read on to discover the following:

• A message from a very special CASA volunteer
• An inspiring tale of a former street youth turned adoptive parent and foster care leader
• A spotlight on incredible volunteers who are changing children's stories
• A chance for former foster youth to improve the child welfare system
• And more!

Celebrating National Foster Care Month

Click the image below to play a powerful message from CASA volunteer Meg about her experiences. Thanks for helping to spread awareness about foster care, Meg!

Summer Reading: Now I Am Known

We're excited to announce our next book club pick! We'll be taking the summer to read Now I Am Known by @fosterdadflipper Peter Mutabazi, then meeting in September to discuss our insights. Read it, get the audiobook, or do what CASA Program Manager Lance Jones did—some of both.

Fun fact: Lance had the chance to meet Peter at the 2024 Wisconsin CASA Conference! Here's what Lance had to say about the book:

"Reflecting back on our conversation, the resilience from childhood abuse and years of being a street kid is amazing. What this book really brings home is the difference that just one community member made for Peter to survive street life and learn to see his own potential."   

If you want to join our discussion, email volunteer@kidsmatterinc.org with the subject line "Book Club" to sign up. All are welcome, and CASA volunteers will earn continuing education credits for participating. Happy reading!

Celebrating Dedicated Volunteers

Congratulations to our second group of Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) honorees! This award acknowledges the outstanding dedication, service, and commitment of those who have selflessly given an incredible amount of their time to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We are so proud of this amazing crew. Way to go!

2024 PVSA Recipients

• Natalee Aiello
• Callie Bednarek
• Haddie Cantrall
• Wesley Chiasson
• Simon Dao
• Dayna Decker
• Rosario Estrada
• Jean Eungard
• Hannah Goettsch
• Erin Hanusa

• Crystal Hiley
• Brooke Janssen
• Janice Jones
• Hailey Kiefer
• Jack Koehler
• Kristie Kurtenbach
• Cheryl Moser
• Bridget Mroczkowski
• Kathy Oman
• Beth Pietrzykowski

• Magdalia Proft-Maikowski
• Tia Renier
• Judy Sattell
• Clara Slaby
• Brianne Stuard
• Paula Wheeler
• Kathryn Whitlock
• Ronald Wurzer

Meet Our Volunteers: Wes

A Call to Help Children

Wes Chiasson cares for many foster youth as a pediatric dentist at Children’s Wisconsin. He first heard about the CASA program when a volunteer assigned to one of his patients reached out with questions about the child’s care. Wes says, “I didn’t know what a CASA volunteer was at the time, so I did some research and then quickly applied to become a volunteer myself.”

The Importance of Stability

As a volunteer with Kids Matter CASA, Wes brings the same compassion he shows in his dental practice. He enjoys building personal connections with his CASA youth, and he’s gotten to witness them grow and thrive. Wes has been with his youth for four years—they are being adopted soon!

Fun Fact: From CASA Volunteer to Pizza Connoisseur

When Wes isn’t helping children as a pediatric dentist or a CASA volunteer, he’s on a mission to find the best slice of pizza in Milwaukee.

Volunteer to Help Foster Youth

Want to become a volunteer like Wes? The Kids Matter CASA program is an amazing opportunity to advocate in children's best interests.

If you are interested in changing a child's story, attend one of our upcoming Q&A sessions to learn more. Our next meetings are at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 9, or Monday, July 14. Email us with the subject line "Q&A" to sign up today... we hope to see you there!

Foster Youth: Share Your Voice

If you're a current or former foster youth between the ages of 18–25, here's an opportunity to share YOUR story with researchers at Vanderbilt University to help improve the child welfare system.

To participate in an interview about your experiences with foster care and ideas for how it could be improved, fill out this interest survey. All information will be kept confidential, and you will receive a $50 gift card after the interview. If you have any questions, please email marginstocenter@gmail.com.

Community Partner Shoutouts

It takes a village to provide support for foster and kinship youth, and we couldn't do it without our local and national partners. You make so much possible!

Here are only a few of the partners we are incredibly grateful for. Thank you so much to everyone who cares about and helps our kids.

Alpha Xi Delta (Marquette University)

Get Connected

Are you raising someone else's child and looking for more support? Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter that is tailored just for you, or join our Wisconsin Grandfamilies Matter group on Facebook.

Be sure to follow us on social media for regular updates and helpful information!