Dilys Tosteson Garcia

In FY 2010, CASA of Los Angeles successfully transitioned from a public/private partnership supported primarily by public funds into an entrepreneurial, volunteer-driven nonprofit funded by community grants and donations.

This change, initiated by significant cutbacks in state funding, was driven by our Board of Directors who committed themselves to an activist role in raising the funds we need. Their new Development Committee was tasked with personal outreach to businesses, foundations, organizations, and individuals. Every Board Member provided financial support, and was highly involved in securing funds through prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

In FY 2010, CASA of Los Angeles advocated for 562 of the most vulnerable at-risk foster children while undergoing major organizational change. With only half of our previous budget and one third the staff, we were proud to provide similar levels of service this year as offered before the state funding cuts.

1. Increase the number of children we serve.

2. Enhance the quality of training and support given to our front-line CASA volunteers, and better equip them with resources and tools to function more effectively as child advocates.

3. Recruit new volunteers aggressively, including more men, African-Americans, Latinos, and other nationalities and ethnic groups currently underrepresented as volunteers.

4. Provide greater expertise with specialized tracks on Early Childhood, Transition Age Youth,and Educational Advocacy for volunteers and staff.

5. Scale up volunteer recruitment and retention by expanding our use of technology and communications.

6. Increase our “footprint” in sprawling Los Angeles County by better engaging our many diverse communities and moving our program closer to potential volunteers and the children we serve.

Dilys Tosteson Garcia
Executive Director
CASA of Los Angeles