Our Be a Voice Fall Fundraiser took place on October 6, 2022. It was a wonderful night celebrating the impact of Voices for Children Montgomery and recommitting to our goal of providing a voice to every child in Montgomery County foster care!! Board members, CASA volunteers, donors, and guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, bowling and games, and a silent auction. Thank you to everyone who attended!!!

Join the movement and give back this Giving Tuesday! Each year our volunteers, staff, board members, and supporters come together to reach our goal of providing this critical support to every child in foster care in our community by 2026. Will you help us raise funds this Giving Tuesday? 

Here are three easy ways you can help:

• Make a personal donation! Click here to donate.
• Start a fundraiser on Facebook, selecting Voices for Children Montgomery as the beneficiary.
• Spread the word by liking and sharing our posts on social media.

• November 10, 2022, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., “Who We Are” Documentary Discussion
• January 7, 2023, Winter Volunteer Training Begins

Please RSVP to Nancy King at nking@casamontgomery.org

Ana*, age 12, and Maria*, age 14, are siblings who entered foster care four years ago. They came to the attention of Child Welfare Services (CWS) when a report was received alleging physical abuse and neglect of both girls. It was also reported that the girls were exposed to domestic violence, as their mother’s boyfriend was abusive to their mother in front of them, and often made threats to harm them and their mother. It was also discovered that the children had been exposed to a lot of violence in their young lives, having immigrated to the United States from El Salvador after their father was murdered. During their time in foster care Ana and Maria have already had many ups and downs. Currently, the girls are living in different placements -- Maria in a foster home and Ana in a group home. They are both participating in therapy to address the trauma they've experienced. CASA volunteers are needed for both girls to advocate for services, ensure that the girls have visits with one another, and to support them during this traumatic time.

6-year-old Jacqueline* came into foster care in 2016 due to neglect because her mother had an acute mental health condition and was hospitalized. Jacqueline’s sister, Genesis*, came into foster care in 2017, shortly after her birth, due to their mother’s ongoing mental health issues. The sisters are currently in a pre-adoptive homes and Sanata Kote, their CASA volunteer, has been working with them since January

2022. Last spring, Sanata spoke with Jacqueline’s teacher, who noted that Jacqueline could use some extra help with reading and math outside of school. In her report to the Court, Sanata recommended that Jacqueline receive tutoring. The Judge noted this during the hearing and ordered the Department to address it. CWS has said they will find a tutor who could continue to work with Jacqueline even after her adoption is finalized and her case is closed.

Andrea Witt was assigned to 7-year-old Leon’s* case a little over a year ago. Leon entered foster care in 2017 at the age of 2, due to his mother’s incarceration and concerns about neglect. Leon does not have any family members who could provide a permanent home for for him, and his parents’ rights were terminated in 2021. Leon has lived in several different foster homes over the past year. During all his moves and transitions, Andrea continued to visit him weekly and assured him she will follow him wherever he is placed. Leon’s last foster parent asked for his removal with little notice and Leon was living in a hotel for several weeks, with a 1-1 aide, while Child Welfare Services looked for a pre-adoptive home for him. While he was living at the hotel, Andrea continued her weekly visits with Leon and continued to advocate that a more stable placement be identified quickly. As a result of Andreas's advocacy, a new home was identified. Leon has now been in his pre-adoptive home for 3 months. He is doing well, and these foster parents are committed to making him part of their family.

Thank you to each of the following individuals for your years of service and dedication to your CASA youth. Happy Anniversary!

Donations received from July 10, 2022 through November 1, 2022

Be the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer that every child in Montgomery County, Maryland’s foster care system needs. CASA volunteers bring a variety of experiences to their work as advocates on behalf of abused and neglected children.

Voices for Children Montgomery depends on donations from people like you to continue its work. Make a donation today to help us reach our goal of serving ALL children in foster care in Montgomery County by 2026. Thank you!