San Francisco CASA recognizes the remarkable resilience of youth in foster care, who often face challenges that no child should ever endure. We are grateful to the social workers, attorneys, resource parents and most of all YOU - CASA Advocates. Thank you for providing care and support to your assigned youth through the highs and the lows. We also acknowledge and honor parents for their determined efforts to overcome adversity, striving to safely reunite with their loved ones. | | | |
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Youth Voice Survey
SFCASA values the voices of the youth we serve and we want to hear how we are doing! All youth 8 years and older who have been matched with a CASA for more than six months will receive a postcard soon with a QR code they can scan to take the 8 question survey. Advocates will also get the postcard – Please share and encourage your assigned youth to participate!
NOTE: you should not be present when they fill out the survey - we want them to feel free to share honest feedback. If they need support, please arrange for their parent, caregiver or PSW to help them. Thank you!
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2024 Summer Activities - Sign up Now! | | | |
Summer Camp Funding
SFCASA will fund summer camps and activity fees for the youth we serve regardless of their location! If the youth’s guardians or PSW are not able to pay for their summer camps in full, and/or funding is a barrier for summer camp attendance, SFCASA can fill the gap. If transportation to camp is a barrier, we will be able to support with safe transportation through a partnership with Hop, Skip, Drive for eligible youth.
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MeWater Beach Day June 8
Let's have a great day at the beach!
San Francisco CASA has partnered with San Mateo CASA and MeWater on June 8th to offer a so CASAs and their youth can enjoy a fun beach day in Half Moon Bay. Youth will get the opportunity to try and learn and participate in their surfing activity. The MeWater volunteers also have non water activities for those who do not want to get in the water, so non-swimmers are most welcome! SFCASA will provide lunch. Join in the fun!
MeWater Foundation is a nonprofit organization run by surfers and mental health professionals in the San Francisco Bay Area. They provide day and overnight surf camps to youth, families, and groups, with a mental health approach to mindfulness, empowerment, and exposure to the ocean and the great outdoors.
If you are interested please email siera@sfcasa.org. More details to follow closer to the event.
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Bluewater Sailing Day July 20th
Please share this event with your assigned youth! CASAs and youth will enjoy a morning learning how to sail, and afterwards will be treated to a yummy lunch on the docks. BlueWater has one boat docked in Berkeley Marina which will hold 12 people. We ideally would want 6 pairs of CASAs and their youth. This activity will held on July 20th and will be a first come first serve opportunity. We sail for about 2 hours and lunch will be provided after.
If you are interested please email siera@sfcasa.org. SFCASA can also provide transportation options.
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Save the Date!
SFCASA Picnic Day July 27th
As summer begins to come to an end and talk of a new school year begins - please join SFCASA for a fun picnic in the park! We will have food, games, and even a special basketball clinic for the kiddos to participate! The event will be held on July 27th from 11-2PM at Panhandle Park.
Any questions or to RSVP please email siera@sfcasa.org.
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Can U Relate? Virtual Summer Camp
July 15 - 19
Can U Relate relationship skills opportunity for teens, which will be held in July. This next open call will be a Virtual Summer Camp and include a new creative art project component.
The sessions will be facilitated over Zoom, July 15 - 19 Monday through Friday from 11:30AM - 4:00PM with a half-hour lunch break included. Students who enroll by July 1st can also get a summer-themed swag bag. As always, the course is free to attend for teens ages 14-19!
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Advocate Spotlight:
Marcus Stevens
Marcus Stevens embodies the true essence of dedication and compassion as a CASA. Since joining in June 2022 and being matched with a young person in Los Angeles, his commitment to advocating for the betterment of his assigned youth’s life has been unwavering. One of his notable achievements was advocating for his young person to move closer, a decision that significantly improved the quality of their interactions and support system. Over the course of nearly two years, Marcus consistently demonstrated patience, resilience, and kindness, embodying the essence of what it means to truly show up for someone. Despite the challenges encountered along the way, Marcus persevered, never faltering in his dedication to his young person's well-being. Through his tireless efforts, Marcus has cultivated a unique and meaningful relationship with his assigned youth, leaving a lasting impact that extends far beyond the confines of their case.
Marcus's exemplary dedication and humanity have not gone unnoticed. His willingness to go above and beyond, investing not just time but also heartfelt care into his role as a CASA, sets a remarkable standard for others to follow. The impact of his advocacy and support resonates deeply, not only within the life of his young person but also within the broader community. As an organization, we are profoundly grateful for the countless hours, miles traveled, and emotional investment that Marcus has poured into his role. He exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding CASA and, more importantly, a remarkable human being. Marcus's contributions serve as a testament to the transformative power of empathy and dedication, leaving a legacy of compassion that inspires us all. Thank you, Marcus, for your remarkable service and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
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ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES FOR YOUTH | |
Free Horse Care and Riding Lessons | |
Email: sue@sfcasa.org for information
about Horse Riding Lessons
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Email: sue@sfcasa.org for information
about Horse Riding Lessons
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Educational Advocacy Consultant
SFCASA is thrilled to welcome Dr. Laura Savage as Educational Advocacy Consultant! Dr. Savage will be available for Office Hours on Thursdays 11a-1p and by appointment. Please reach out to your CS to set up an appointment.
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High School Graduation
If you serve a high school senior please check in about progress towards graduation and be sure they are completing the FAFSA so they can receive financial aid for the next school year. Check out our website for more information about financial aid for college.
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Transitional Age Youth (TAY)
Corner
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Dress for Success
Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Francisco provides career programs to help women secure employment and advance their careers at no cost, including:
· Career Wardrobe Program
· Going Places Network Job Search Program
· Career Development Boot Camp
· Career Center - Virtual Coaching and Drop In Hours in person
· Career Development Workshops
· Free laptops and Financial Literacy
· Digital Literacy
· Professional Women’s Group employment retention program (client must be employed)
Dress for Success is very excited to serve SFCASA girls and young women!
Please connect with your Case Supervisor to sign-up.
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New Reimbursement Process is Live!
Request Sunshine Fund reimbursement
directly in Advocate Link!
| We are working hard to make reimbursements easier and quicker. Now you can click on the “Funding Requests” button on your A.L. homepage and follow the prompts. Receipts are needed for all reimbursement requests. Detailed instructions can be found HERE. Please reach out to your Case Supervisor with any questions. And thanks! | | | |
Trouble Getting into Hearings?
When you plan to attend a hearing for your assigned youth, please contact the youth’s attorney to let them know. Their attorney will be responsible for making sure you are admitted to the hearing (whether on Zoom or in Court). You will continue to receive Zoom links and instructions when you submit your court report. If you are still not able to join the hearings or have any questions about attending hearings please be in touch with your Case Supervisor.
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Continuing Education for Advocates | |
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COUNTERTRANSFERENCE and SELF-AWARENESS
W/ Dr. Natalia Estassi
This training will discuss countertransference, a term Freud founded, and how it can both positively and negatively impact our work as providers. Discussed will be the many environmental and social stressors we are facing today, this includes the COVID-19 pandemic and the racism pandemic, which will impact us in various ways. As a CASA, in hearing the losses and hardships of your youth, one is often triggered, especially in these difficult times. Explore the importance of self-awareness to best guarantee one can remain effective as a provider. Learn ways to cultivate self-awareness and the importance of our boundaries. Review the importance of self-care and barriers that can lead to burnout and vicarious trauma.
Monday, May 13, 2023, 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom. (2 CE Credits)
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NEW ADVOCATE WORKSHOP
Now that you have stepped into the CASA Role, this is an opportunity to reconnect with your training cohort and support each other as you get started on your case. We will share learnings about the first steps on the case, relationship building with the youth and the professionals, court reports, logs, CEs, and more.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom. (2 CE Credits)
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RACISM AND BIAS IN EDUCATION AND RELATED SYSTEMS
with Dr. Laura Savage
Join Dr. Savage for part two of a discussion on the ways that bias and racism have been embedded in our social institutions. We cover the intersectional manifestations, particularly within the systems that impact Foster Youth: education, social services, health/mental health, juvenile justice and others. Come prepared to self-reflect and analyze the ways that you can positively impact Foster Youth as a CASA and in your personal life.
May 18, 2024, 10a-12noon on Zoom (2 CE Credits)
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CCN - CASA COMMUNITY NETWORK HUDDLE
Please join us for our first in person huddle in our new offices! Let’s spend time supporting each other and building community as we talk about our own well being as CASAs, how we set and keep boundaries and any challenges we are facing.
The CASA Community Network (CCN) is a network for CASAs, organized by CASAs and hosted by CASAs. We share, lean in and on, and support each other through events, such as The Huddle. Sometimes we learn from expert guest speakers in continuing education sessions. In The Huddle, we learn from experts – ourselves – we have collective years of expertise among us. We are a network of support – who better understands the ups, the downs, the joys, the challenges than we do.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 PM In Person at SFCASA Office
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CONSENT AND BODY SAFETY FOR TEENS WORKSHOP
W/ Vanessa Kellam of Health Connected.
This training is strongly encouraged for all CASAs serving youth 12 years and older. We will explore how to support your assigned youth around consent and bodily autonomy (or the potential lack of it), as well as helpful strategies to help young people articulate their boundaries. Talking about consent and body safety is a key part of the CASA role and we cannot assume that someone else is talking with them about how to stay safe.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 PM on Zoom (2 CE Credits)
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ADULTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY - HOW TO SUPPORT
TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH (TAY) WORKSHOP
With Joey Hess
It is so common that TAY youth, who have only experienced adults telling them what to do have a hard time transitioning to setting their own authentic goals and then working towards them. It is also normal for CASAs serving TAY youth to feel frustrated when observing their lack of initiative and follow-through.
Join us for a unique opportunity to take a deep dive into the Harm Reduction lens with a focus on using Motivational Interviewing to have deeper conversations with TAY about goals, accountability, responsibility, and more.
Thursday, June 6, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Zoom
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We want to hear your ideas for future trainings!
Email training@sfcasa.org
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Order a cake for special celebrations from | | | |
For family reunification, birthdays, graduations, quinceañera, and other milestones. Please email programassistant@sfcasa.org to order (2 weeks in advance) | | | | |
