Voices for Children, Inc.

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for our Real World Speakers Panel! ? We were honored to hear from four incredible individuals—Anthony, Vanessa, Emanual, and Josh—who bravely shared their personal journeys through the foster care system. Their stories of overcoming adversity, hope, and growth were a true testament to the power of relationships, trust, and support. They also highlighted how, oftentimes, the first trusting and supportive relationship youth in foster care have is with their Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). The panelists shared invaluable lessons for all CASAs: Listen Without Judgment – Sometimes, all a youth needs is someone who will listen and understand without jumping to conclusions or offering immediate solutions. Consistency Matters – Be there when you say you will. Consistent support and presence can make all the difference. Small Details Count – It’s often the little things, like remembering a favorite food or a hobby, that show you genuinely care and pay attention. Respect Their Choices – Allow youth to explore their own path, even if it’s not the one you would have chosen. Empower them to make their own decisions and feel heard. Build Trust Slowly – Trust doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience and dedication, a CASA can become a crucial part of a youth’s journey. These courageous young adults reminded us that with the right support, anything is possible. There are currently hundreds of local youth in foster care who are in need of a CASA volunteer. They need someone to step up and speak up for them during what can be a scary and challenging time. Learn more about becoming a CASA today ?? https://lnkd.in/germiWbT #therealword #youthinfostercare #advocacymatters #CASAVolunteers #voicesforchildren #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #BecomeACASA #volunteer #speakupforyouthinfostercare #ShareYourVoice #MakeADifference

St. Patrick's Day ?? is the perfect time to talk about how lucky children are when community members generously volunteer their time to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). As someone who cares deeply about our community and the welfare of our children, help change the luck of a child in foster care by taking just 5 minutes out of your day to recommend someone you know to become a CASA volunteer ?? https://buff.ly/3L2nG40 It can be a friend, family member, or co-worker – anyone you admire who can speak up for a vulnerable child! Right now, there is a critical need for bilingual (English - Spanish) community members to become CASA volunteers and advocate for children in foster care. #voicesforchildren #CASAschangelives #stpatricksday #luckytohaveCASAs #advocateforchildren #communitysupport #makeadifference

A huge congratulations to Jessica Mu?oz, President & CEO of Voices for Children, for being named Riverside County’s 2025 Third District Woman of the Year by Supervisor Chuck Washington! ?? Jessica’s incredible career is rooted in advocacy and leadership. Before leading Voices for Children, she served as Executive Vice President and Director of the Riverside County program, building a strong foundation for child advocacy. As an accomplished attorney and former trial attorney in juvenile dependency courts, she has spent years fighting for vulnerable youth. Her passion and dedication continue to transform the lives of children in foster care, providing them with the support, guidance, and opportunities they deserve. Thank you, Jessica, for the incredible leadership you provide and the lasting impact you make in the lives of children and families. Your dedication continues to inspire us all! ??

?? ?Un enorme agradecimiento a Univisio?n Palm Springs por destacar el increíble trabajo de Voices for Children y el programa CASA en el Condado de Riverside! Voices for Children, se enfoca en reclutar voluntarios que apoyen emocionalmente a los ni?os que están en el sistema de crianza temporal. A través del programa CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) o Representante Especial Designado por la Corte, los voluntarios CASA brindan apoyo y estabilidad a estos ni?os, quienes a menudo enfrentan muchos desafíos emocionales debido a la falta de un adulto de confianza. El testimonio de CASA Robert, un voluntario desde el 2013, muestra cómo el apoyo de un voluntario de CASA puede tener un impacto positivo y duradero en la vida de los ni?os. El condado de Riverside enfrenta una gran necesidad de voluntarios, con alrededor de 6,000 ni?os en el sistema de crianza temporal y solo 500 voluntarios disponibles. Se hace un llamado a miembros de la comunidad, especialmente aquellas que hablen espa?ol y sean bilingües, para unirse a este esfuerzo vital. No se requiere experiencia previa, solo un fuerte compromiso y la voluntad de hacer una diferencia en la vida de estos ni?os. Para más información visite ?? https://buff.ly/npjHTpf ?Gracias, Univision! Su cobertura y dedicación al compartir estas historias tan importantes hace una gran diferencia e inspira a nuestra comunidad a involucrarse. Juntos, podemos crear un futuro más brillante para nuestros ni?os. ?? ?? A huge thank you to Univision Palm Springs for highlighting the incredible work of Voices for Children and our Riverside County CASA program! Voices for Children focuses on recruiting CASA volunteers to emotionally support children in the foster care system. Through our CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program, CASA volunteers provide support and stability to these children, who often face many emotional challenges due to the lack of a trusted adult. The testimony of CASA Robert, a volunteer since 2013, shows how the support of a CASA volunteer can have a positive and lasting impact on children's lives. Riverside County faces a great need for volunteers, with around 6,000 children in the foster care system and only 500 volunteers available. Community members, especially those who speak Spanish and are bilingual, are called upon to join this vital effort. No previous experience is required, just a strong commitment and the willingness to make a difference in the lives of these children. For more information visit ?? https://buff.ly/mVppy0N Thank you, Univision! Your coverage and dedication to sharing these important stories makes a huge difference and inspires our community to get involved. Together, we can create a brighter future for our children. ?? #voicesforchildren #CASA #voluntario #conviérteteenCASA #hablaporlosjóvenes #crianzatemporal #compartetuvoz #hazunadiferencia #apoyocomunitario #riverside

Join us on March 16 from 12 pm to 3 pm for Art with Purpose ????? at the Emo Brown Art Department for a special fundraiser benefiting Voices for Children! Show your support by collecting art supplies for children in foster care and provide them with the opportunity to nurture their creativity and imagination ? How you can help: ?? Donate any art supplies you can ?? Spread the word by sharing this post Any donations of crayons, colored pencils, chalk, markers, paints, glue sticks, canvases, sketch books, coloring books, and other art supplies are welcome! Not sure what to donate? Check out this wish list ??https://buff.ly/DfbjMKS for inspiration! Thank you to the Emo Brown Foundation and community artist Chikle for making this event possible! Let’s come together to support children in foster care and give them the opportunity to express themselves and simply be kids through art. #artwithpurpose #voicesforchildren #artmakesadifference #selfexpression #positiveoutlet #promotehealing #encouragecreativity #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #supportingyouthinfostercare #communityengagement

Thank you to our supporters, volunteers, and community members who joined us at this year's Judges' Luncheon to celebrate and reflect on our mission to support children in foster care ???? ??? We are grateful to our panel of distinguished judges, the Hon. Ana L. Espa?a, Hon. Alexander M. Calero, Hon. Mark T. Cumba, and Hon. Daniela Reali-Ferrari for sharing their invaluable insights on the complexities of the foster care system and the importance of CASA volunteers. We express our deep appreciation for the important work you and all of our Juvenile Court judges do every day to support children in foster care. Your dedication to our communities' children and families is inspiring. A special thank you to Robert Borthwick, for sharing his personal journey as a CASA volunteer for the past 13 years. Your experience advocating for young boys in the foster care system, and being by their side to help them grow up to become good young men is commendable. We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, AlphaCore, Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP, Jones Day, and Stidham Law, who made this event possible. #voicesforchildren #judgesluncheon #communitysupport #CASAVolunteers #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #becomeaCASA #volunteer #needcompassionatevolunteers #speakupforyouthinfostercare #shareyourvoice #makeadifference #childandfamilywellbeing #sandiegocounty #superiorcourt

We are honored to have been named the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce's Nonprofit of the Year for 2025 at this year's Rammys Outstanding Awards Dinner and Board Installation, celebrating the chamber's 70th anniversary and the resiliency of local businesses. For a decade, Voices for Children has proudly served Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley, and this year, our organization celebrates 45 years of transforming the lives of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Our mission to provide children in foster care with a trained, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer to support them through their foster care journey would not be possible without the incredible support of our community and our dedicated CASA volunteers. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in making a difference in the lives of children in foster care. Thank you to the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, our supporters in the Rancho Mirage community, and especially our CASA volunteers in Rancho Mirage. Together, we’re creating brighter futures for children in Riverside County and the Coachella Valley. #voicesforchildren #nonprofitoftheyear #grateful #ranchomirage #communityimpact #coachellavalley #riversidecounty #CASAschangelives #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate

?? Join Us for the Real Word Speakers Panel! ?? ?? Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 ?? Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. PT ?? In-person / online event ?? RSVP today ?? https://buff.ly/ArJAWOU Join Voices for Children for an inspiring and eye-opening evening as courageous young adults share their personal journeys through the foster care system. This month’s hybrid panel will center around the theme of relationships, discussing how trust, support, and advocacy play a crucial role in shaping the futures of youth in foster care. ? Speakers include: Anthony, who spent a third of his life in foster care. Now he is an advocate for other youth in foster care, thanks to the support of his CASA, Daniel. With CASA Daniel’s help, Anthony found a permanent home with his great-grandmother and graduated from UCLA. Emanual, who was supported by his CASA, Tim, through multiple challenging transitions in his life and navigating foster care at age 15. With CASA Tim by his side, Emanuel graduated as valedictorian and now is a self-sufficient young man with a strong support system. Vanessa, who entered foster care at age 8 and was supported by her CASA, Laura, for nearly a decade. With CASA Laura’s guidance, Vanessa excelled in education, graduated from UCLA, and is now pursuing law school. Josh, who was supported by his CASA, Tim, through his teenage years into adulthood. CASA Tim’s advocacy helped Josh achieve stability, maintain his sibling bonds, graduate from college, and earn his master's degree. Together, they will inspire, humble, uplift, and move you as they share firsthand stories about the lasting impact of their CASA volunteer on their lives and the transformative power of advocacy and a trusting relationship. #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #RealWord #voicesforchildren #livedexperience #fostercarejourney #beinpired #makeadifference #volunteer #support #sparkhope #consistencymatters #CASAschangelives #gratitude #advocacy #oneadult #allittakes #makeanimpact

Join us in kicking off CV Giving Day and speak up ?? for children in foster care! To support Voices for Children visit ?? https://buff.ly/42DXkNz. Your gift today will directly support the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of our CASAs, who play an essential role in guiding children in foster care during their darkest and most uncertain times. The tangible impact of a CASA on a child’s life is transformative.? Every gift makes a difference and empowers a CASA volunteer to continue vital work, ensuring every child in foster care is heard, valued, and given the chance to thrive. #CVGivingDay2025 #fundraising #donatenow #communitysupport #givingback #nonprofits #CASAschangelives #voicesforchildren #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #childadvocacy #childreninfostercare #needyourhelp

Join us tomorrow on CV Giving Day ?? https://buff.ly/MLSNmS1 and help provide every child in foster care in the Coachella Valley with the transformative advocacy and support of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer! Tomorrow, on March 4, 2025, make a gift of any amount to directly support the recruitment, training, and ongoing support of our dedicated CASAs, who are a constant, guiding presence in the lives of children in foster care. At any given time, we? have 25-30 children in the Coachella Valley who need a CASA volunteer. Every donation you make helps provide life-changing advocacy. Your generosity will ensure that children in the Coachella Valley are supported and have someone by their side to help them heal from trauma, navigate the challenges they face, and reach their full potential. #CVGivingDay2025 #voicesforchildren #RiversideCounty #CoachellaValley #fostercare #nonprofit #giveback #communitygiving #CourtAppointedSpecialAdvocate #becomeaCASA #volunteer #speakupforyouthinfostercare #shareyourvoice #makeadifference