Many are surprised to learn that hundreds of children who have experienced abuse and neglect need assistance right here in Santa Barbara County.
Each year, over 500 children receive help from dedicated volunteers who serve with CASA, Court-Appointed Special Advocates. The local nonprofit’s mission is to “assure a safe, permanent, nurturing home for every abused and/or neglected child by providing a highly trained volunteer to advocate for them in the court system.”
“Our county is not an outlier,” says Kira Cosio, Community Engagement Director at CASA of Santa Barbara County. “We’re pretty average with the number of kids here who are experiencing abuse or neglect, and it happens across every socioeconomic class.”
More than 200 residents serve as CASA volunteers. They provide mentorship, friendship, and support to children through age 21 who are in the foster care system while advocating for their best interests. The agency’s primary challenge right now is the need for volunteers.
“It just takes one stable relationship with a caring adult to help reverse the negative impacts on a child who has experienced abuse or neglect,” says Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director, noting that children with a CASA volunteer have access to more services and are more likely to thrive.
“CASA volunteers are there to break them out of the environment, have some fun, and let them be a child,” says Colby Davis, adding that volunteers are assigned to advocate and submit reports to the court until the case closes.
CASA volunteers receive training and support to serve children in need, and anyone 21 and older who passes a background check and has the time and desire to help can apply.
The community can also support the organization by donating online or by participating in their Christmas Wishes Gift Drive.
“We aim to provide Christmas gifts for every child in the foster care system,” says Cosio, noting that local businesses can get involved by rallying together to buy gifts.
All donations to CASA, including the Gift Drive, are tax-deductible. A gift of $2,500 supports an entire year of advocacy for a child.
SBCASA.org
A gift of $2,500 supports an entire year of advocacy for a child.