CASA Philadelphia

An open mind fosters understanding and growth. Today, we emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind.

Our CASA Volunteers are committed to learning and growing, ensuring they can provide the best support possible to LGBTQ+ youth. Let’s all commit to keeping an open mind and embracing diversity.

Happy Staff Appreciation Day! We want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our organization. Your contributions make a tremendous impact, and we are grateful for the skills, passion, and positive energy you bring to the team each day. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we want you to know how much we appreciate everything you do. Thank you for being an invaluable part of our organization and for making a difference in the lives of those we serve. We are truly fortunate to have such an amazing team.

CASA Philadelphia is so proud to introduce our 2024 CASA Volunteer of the Year, Jamie Nisbet.

https://casaphiladelphia.org/jamie-nisbet-casa-volunteer-of-the-year/

Volunteers like Sophie are what CASA Philadelphia is all about. https://casaphiladelphia.org/sophie-ragan-edm-volunteer-of-2024/

This week the Honorable Judge Margaret T. Murphy oversaw the swearing-in of 23 new CASA volunteers. During the ceremony Judge Murphy thanked volunteers for their service and underscored the vital importance of their advocacy work.

At CASA Philadelphia, we are grateful to our 100+ volunteers for their involvement in reunifying children with their families. Our volunteers work with experts to identify and recommend services and support aimed at keeping families together. We know children do best when they can safely remain with their parents or with other family members. That’s why our volunteers commit to strengthening families in their ability to care for and protect their children.

If you missed last week's Information Session, not to worry! Registration is open for our July 16th session. Join us to learn how you can advocate for a child in foster care!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkce2uqT8vE91z0tJH7LYRLr_j7_VTADVJ

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the enduring strength, resilience, and joy of the Black community. As we reflect on this important milestone in our nation’s history, we also recognize the significance of freedom, equality, and justice for all.

At CASA, we are dedicated to advocating for the well-being of all children, ensuring they have the opportunity to grow up in a world where they are free to dream big, reach their full potential, and live without fear or discrimination.

Juneteenth is a reminder of the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. It is a day to educate, inspire, and uplift children, empowering them to understand history, celebrate heritage, and stand strong in the face of adversity.

Let’s work together to create a brighter, more inclusive future for every child in our community.

Wishing a Happy Father’s Day to all the exceptional fathers and father figures out there! Today, we recognize and celebrate the dedication, strength, and commitment that fathers bring to their families and communities. Your unwavering support, guidance, and love make a lasting impact on the lives of those around you.

This third week of Pride Month, we offer suggestions on how to support LGBTQ+ youth who are Coming Out. These guides, which are part of our volunteer training, can be used by anyone who finds themselves to be the person a youth feels comfortable sharing their truth with.

At our recent Liberty Bell Gala, CASA Philadelphia named Frank Cervone our Champion for Children 2024. Executive Director Happi Grillon award Frank this honor for his more than 3 decades as a local and national leader in advancing policy and practice for children and families. Please read our CASA Close-Up on Frank Cervone https://casaphiladelphia.org/news-and-events/

June is !
Today, we celebrate the beautiful diversity and love that exists within LGBTQ+ families. Whether you’re a same-sex couple raising children, a trans parent, or a chosen family united by unconditional love, your presence and strength inspire us all. And to all the LGBTQ+ children, you are cherished, valued, and loved just as you are. Find local celebrations and events https://phillygaycalendar.com/pride/

As this year's National Foster Care Awareness Month comes to an end, CASA Philadelphia hopes you will remember the importance of this year’s theme is “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” The central theme revolves around raising awareness about the challenges faced by young people transitioning out of foster care and identifying the necessary support to enhance their outcomes.
Each year, nearly 370,000 children in the United States are in the dependency court and foster care systems because of experiencing abuse or neglect. A child in foster care, on average, will move into multiple homes and attend multiple schools. CASA Volunteers are consistent advocates and reliable resources for children and youth during times of great uncertainty and transition.
By becoming a CASA volunteer, making a donation to support our work, so simply helping to spread the word by sharing this post, you can help to improve outcomes for children.

Becoming a CASA volunteer starts with attending an Information Session. During this 30-minute Zoom meeting you will learn what it means to be a CASA volunteer and how you can impact the life of a child in foster care. We will host our June session on June 18th at 7pm. Registration is required. You can sign up here - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcuysrDovHdLVQhnLHjh0PIn4FpZG0jBu

The CASA Liberty Bell Gala raised more than $80,000 for our work advocating for children in the Philadelphia foster care system. We want to thank our Bronze Sponsors for helping to make this possible.

Bronze Sponsors
Elliot Lewis
Reilly, McDevitt, Henrich
Troutman Pepper
Spring Garden Lending
Wells Fargo Advisors
Prosperity An EisnerAmper Company
Giving Hope Network
IMA
Independence Foundation
McShea Law Firm
DVR Construction
WAWA Foundation
The Kisver Family
The Scanlon Family
Amy and Dave Dzara

Thank you Silver Sponsors of the 2024 CASA Liberty Bell Gala! Your support makes our work possible!

Thank you to our 2024 Liberty Bell Gala gold level sponsors! Thank you A.T. Chadwick Company and Cozen O'Connor for your support of adovcacy for children in foster care.

It's not too late to be part of the 2024 CASA Liberty Bell Gala fundraising effort! We are just a few thousand short of our text-to-give goal and you can help us reach the finish line! Please text CASA24 to 44-321 and donate today! Every dollar helps us train and support volunteer advocates for children in foster care!

Thank you Tague Lumber our Platinum Sponsor for the 2024 Liberty Bell Gala!

Today is the day! CASA Liberty Bell Gala happens tonight - and we want to give a huge thank you to our Diamond Level Sponsor.

Families in Crisis - Philadelphia Inquirer Letter to the Editor
"Despite the departure of two provider agencies that handled child welfare casework for half of the city, all is not lost. Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Philadelphia, our small — but mighty — nonprofit has remained a constant source of support and advocacy through the transition to new community umbrella agency providers. Our mission is simple: to train and support community volunteers to advance the welfare of children in foster care through effective advocacy. The Dependency Court judges, who retain the discretion to appoint special advocates to cases, rely on these dedicated volunteers to help them make informed decisions in some of the city’s most complicated dependency cases. It can be easy to forget that within this enormously complicated bureaucracy, there are actual children and families who are in crisis...." read in it's entirety here - https://buff.ly/3WvAS8q

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Engaging Youth. Building
Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” The central theme revolves around raising awareness about the challenges faced by young people transitioning out of foster care and identifying the necessary support to enhance their outcomes.

A Proclamation on National Foster Care Month, 2024 | The White House      The nearly 370,000 children in foster care deserve to grow up in safe and loving homes that help them reach their full potential.  During National Foster Care Month, we share our gratitude for the foster parents who show foster youth unconditional love and the biological parents who work ha...

Biden Administration Strengthens Protections for LGBTQI+ Youth in Foster Care System.
On April 29th, a final rule was released from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that directs state and tribal agencies across the country to fully implement existing protections for LGBTQI+ youth in foster care. This new rule requires that all placements must be safe and appropriate for all children, including LGBTQI+ children, and it specifically requires that the agency receiving the federal funds must ensure that family placements are free from harassment, mistreatment, and abuse, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. https://buff.ly/3QumhGa .

With New Rule, Biden Administration Strengthens Protections for LGBTQI+ Youth in Foster Care System State and Tribal Foster Care Agencies Will Be Required to Place LGBTQI+ Children in Safe, Supportive Settings that Do Not Practice Conversion Therapy