Court Appointed Special Advocates of New York City (CASA-NYC)

"Figure out what you can do. Get hyper-local." Jeff and Carol talk to David Ambroz and Kerry Moles, executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates of New York City (CASA-NYC) about foster youth in the United States. They discuss ways that you can get involved in your community and help the children who are most in need. Listen here:

Navigating adulthood is challenging enough, and for many youth transitioning from foster care in New York City, it's a steep uphill battle made harder by barriers to stable housing. In a ground-breaking, first-of-its-kind report titled “Trapped in Transition,” CASA-NYC Youth Advisory Board alum Cheyanne Deopersaud shines a light on the harsh realities and urgent need for reform in supportive housing policies for former foster youth. While New York's housing shortage affects many, these young adults are disproportionately placed in substandard supportive housing plagued by issues like rodents, insects, power outages, and safety hazards. Furthermore, they are often relegated to neighborhoods with limited opportunities, compounding their struggles to achieve stability. Addressing this inequity isn't about giving them special treatment—it’s about providing them a fair chance to succeed after an already challenging childhood. Cheyanne says: “Experience has taught me that those closest to the problem are often closest to the solution and should be recognized as experts. As young adults entering these spaces, our feedback is critical. We are not just passive recipients of services: we are active participants, whose insights can lead to meaningful improvements in the system and inform the next generation’s experience of these housing systems. With this in mind, I set out to shift the paradigm and drive policy change by surveying foster youth’s experiences and working collaboratively to develop policy solutions that address the issues in supportive housing.” https://lnkd.in/eTM5Y-iY We strongly encourage you to read Cheyanne’s full report, linked above. Visit casa-nyc.org to learn how you can support CASA-NYC's work with older youth through the Jessica Aaron Fund for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care. The Jessica Aaron Fund is a dedicated resource for youth who need housing support, as well as other critical well-being, health, and mental health assistance. All contributions have a direct impact on the lives of youth transitioning from care. #CASA #SupportYouth #CommunityMatters #HousingRights #AffordableHousing #NYC #FosterCare #FosterYouth

?? You're Invited: CASA-NYC’s 7th Annual Fall Luncheon ?? ?? Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 ?? Time: Noon–2 PM ?? Location: 583 Park Avenue, New York City Join us for an inspiring afternoon as we celebrate the resilience of children, youth, and families involved in the foster care system, and the dedication of CASA-NYC volunteers who support them every step of the way. ?? This year we’re honoring Cara Marriott—CASA-NYC’s former board president and a true champion for NYC’s children and youth. Our Emcee will be Charell Star—Trends correspondent, foster care alum, and CASA-NYC board member! We are also thrilled to announce a special performance by philanthropist and two-time Emmy-winning musician Damien Escobar—Global Chief Music Officer at Havas! ??? Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities still available! ?? Reserve your spot here: https://shorturl.at/EhRXk We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for all you do, Leah Coakley! We are so proud and fortunate to have you on the CASA-NYC board! ??

This week, on Wednesday, July 10, the Associate Board of CASA-NYC is so excited to host its annual summer fundraising party: "City of Dreams!" "City of Dreams" will be a rooftop cocktail event with the opportunity to learn about the vital work of CASA-NYC. CASA-NYC provides critical advocacy and mentorship to more than 1,000 foster children and their families every year, and we need your support to continue to provide these services in all five boroughs of New York City. Please consider purchasing a ticket or making a donation of any size; all details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eQUfW3si A very special thank you to our incredible Associate Board leaders: Caitlin Brady & Rachel Wick, Stephanie Melinger, PMP, Courtney Lyons, Jennifer R., & Megan McGarrigal, as well as our CASA-NYC Development Team: Maria Fuqua & Joshua Luke Johnson! #CASA #CASANYC #YouthAdvocacy #SupportOurYouth #CommunityEngagement #SummerFundraiser #CharityEvent #FundraisingEvent #NYCEvents #DoGood

Please join CASA-NYC's virtual?Pride Panel to learn about how to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. We are honored to be joined by: ? David Ambroz, national foster care advocate and author of A Place Called Home;? ? Steven Gordon, director of LGBTQIA+ equity strategies at the NYC Administration for Children's Services ? CASA-NYC Youth Advisory Board members: Brieanna Hayes, Kiara Davis and Leigh-Anna Faith. The panel will be moderated by?Steven Baker, Vice President of Development at Candle Media.?Registration is free and open to the public! https://lnkd.in/eDcmpKcp

The Associate Board of CASA-NYC is excited to announce its annual summer charitable event: "City of Dreams," to be held on Wednesday, July 10, in the Financial District of Manhattan. ???? In support of CASA-NYC, City of Dreams will be a rooftop cocktail event with the opportunity to learn about the vital work of CASA-NYC's team of staff and volunteers—a team that provided critical advocacy and mentorship to more than 1,100 foster children and their families in 2023, and a team that needs your support to continue to provide its services in all five boroughs of New York City. For 45 years, CASA-NYC has played a crucial role in helping ensure that New York City's most vulnerable children, youth, and families don’t fall through the cracks of our overburdened foster care system. Your support truly makes a difference. Please consider purchasing a ticket, referring a potential sponsor, or making a donation of any size; all details can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eE-_Pcm6 A special thank you goes out to our incredible Associate Board co-chairs Caitlin Brady & Rachel Wick, and our committee leads Stephanie Melinger, PMP, Courtney Lyons, Jennifer R., & Megan McGarrigal! ?? #CASA #CASANYC #YouthAdvocacy #SupportOurYouth #CommunityEngagement #SummerFundraiser #CharityEvent #FundraisingEvent #NYCEvents #DoGood

We're #hiring! CASA-NYC currently has two open roles: -Director of Development & Communications -Advocate Supervisor in Queens Full job descriptions for both can be found on our website, linked below. Please apply today, or share with someone who might be interested! https://lnkd.in/e6xzQaZg

The Supper Club Stage is Set! Our headline performer, Yola, is a Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter, and actor who has achieved critical acclaim, breakout success, and has been proclaimed as one of the most exciting and innovative artists in music today. Our EmCee, Tone Bell, Tone Bell is a comedian, writer, actor, and producer known for his comedy special Can’t Cancel This and comedy album One Night in Austin. Our featured performer, Fancy Hagood, has one of country music's most expressive and agile voices, a fearless sense of storytelling, undeniable charisma, a strong artistic identity, and a support system packed with some of music's biggest stars.

Meet our 2024 Supper Club Honoree: La La Anthony!?La La is universally known?as an actress, producer, author, and entrepreneur. Anthony has been gaining recognition for her impactful work through her program, ThreeSixty inside Rikers Island. Through ThreeSixty, La La and her team provide?mentorship and life coaching, legal services, and re-entry tools to young men ages 18–21?who are incarcerated at Rikers Island and they continue to support these young men as they transition back to the community after release. CASA-NYC is proud to partner with the ThreeSixty program as we further develop our advocacy for youth impacted by both the foster care and criminal-legal system,?and work to close the foster care-to-prison pipeline.?Click https://lnkd.in/eZmzdb-h to learn more about La La's advocacy work and her many other achievements.