Making a Difference... 

CASA: Advocates for Children of New York State (CASANYS) is the State Association of a network of affiliate programs whose trained volunteers are appointed by Family Court judges to advocate for the best interest of children in cases of abuse and neglect.

These local programs, operating in 36 New York State counties, recruit, train and supervise nearly 834 volunteers advocating for children in the court and welfare system.

Through public awareness activities, program evaluation, training and technical assistance, information and funding support, CASA: Advocates for Children of New York State helps local CASA programs thrive.

Noteworthy . . .

May is Foster Care Month

The objective: To make a difference in the life of a child in foster care.
Time frame: Minutes, hours, or weeks.
The game plan: Get involved, educate yourself and your community, and utilize your spare time.
The result: Changing a lifetime.

 This May marks the 20th annual foster care awareness campaign and is focused on visibility of the issues, outreach, and recruiting individuals and families to provide an essential resource, their support.

With 513,000 American children and youth in foster care the pressing need for nurturing adults willing to provide guidance and stability for troubled youth cannot be ignored or minimized.  May is a time to celebrate the individuals and the families who have taken on the responsibility of guiding children in foster care through childhood in hopes of a promising and a prosperous future.  Research indicates that children involved with the foster care system have a higher probability of enduring obstacles such as homelessness, unemployment, and incarceration compared to children in the general public.  Although statistics are not on their side these children have the potential to overcome these obstacles with the aid of developing lasting stable relationships with nurturing adults.  Success stories such as that of All-Pro linebacker Keith Bullock, award-winning blues singer Janiva Magness, and motivational speaker and author Regina Louise prove the potential of the power of the connection between driven children and supporting adults.

(Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Direct From Albany, for more about Foster Care Month and a wealth of other information about the New York State CASA network. Send an e-mail to newsletter@casanys.org with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.)

CASA: Advocates for Children of New York State

32 Essex Street

Albany, NY 12206

Phone: 518-426-5354
Toll-Free: 877-80-VOICE
Fax: 518-426-5348
E-mail: mail@casanys.org