NEWS
Natural History Museum and CASA/LA Partnership
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Welcome our new CASA Volunteers
We’re so excited to welcome two new classes of CASAs. We had a graduation on April 28th and swore in some new wonderful CASAs. We are thrilled to welcome these dedicated advocates and deeply grateful that they’ve chosen to commit their time, compassion, and voices to empowering and supporting our young people.
We also swore in our new Expectant and Parenting Youth Specialist, Anabella! Welcome to the team, we’re excited to have you!
Volunteer Voices: Dani Wieczorek
CASA Volunteer Dani Wieczorek (@daniwiec) moved to Los Angeles from Brazil nine years ago to pursue her passions as a producer, filmmaker, photographer, and artist at heart. It took time for the City of Angels to feel like home, but through creative projects, such as launching I Am a Piece of Art which celebrates self-love and the beauty of disabled bodies, and #EscrevoCartasDeAmor where she writes love letters to others, she grew to find a sense of belonging. Her connection to LA deepened through mentoring youth, as she has always loved working with children.
Daniele discovered CASA of Los Angeles through a social media post. After learning about CASA and completing training, she was paired with an eleven-year-old girl who had been removed from her mother’s care and was experiencing mental health challenges.
For the first meeting, Dani brought art supplies, and they painted together. “I wanted to make our first meeting light…and art can help do this,” Dani shares. During the visit, Dani’s youth opened up about her love for dance, even sharing a video. Dani, who also grew up dancing and used it as a way to process emotions, immediately connected with her youth over this shared passion.
For the past year, Dani and her CASA youth have spent time in nature together, doing art, and giving her youth a safe space to express her feelings and needs. “This is the most important volunteer work I have ever done,” Dani shares, “It is a huge responsibility, but so necessary. Children do not choose to be a part of the [child welfare] system. After learning more about the system during my advocacy training, I knew I wanted to do something to make a lasting change.”
Through her advocacy, Dani has helped her youth receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP) at school, strengthen communication with her therapist and social worker, and build confidence in using her voice. “I was so proud when my youth wrote a letter to the judge about what she wanted, which was to be adopted by her aunt. The letter allowed her to process her emotions in a healthy and creative way and actually made a huge impact on the judge,” Dani shares. Her youth is currently on track to be officially adopted by her aunt.
When asked what she would say to encourage others to get involved with CASA, Daniele shares, “We are all agents of transformation. The biggest thing we can do to make the world a better place is by serving others. CASA does beautiful work within the community that will be our future – the younger generation. CASAs can help foster children heal and get them into safer and healthier places.”
Thank you, Dani, for your incredible (and creative!) efforts in your work as a CASA!
TRAINING
Upcoming Trainings
Other Training Resources
Logging Continuing Education Hours
CASA volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education each year to support their advocacy. We have launched a new system for tracking continuing education (CE) entirely in Litmos.
Click here to view the recording of the In-Service Training – CASA CE 101: Requirements, Tracking, and Logging Hours. This recording will provide an overview of everything you need to know about the new system AND it will count towards your continuing education hours.
If you need more background information, help logging into Litmos, or have other questions, please review the following guide documents:
Foster Together Network
The UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence is excited to share a collection of resources for child welfare professionals, generously supported by Pritzker Foster Care Initiative. Available on the Wellbeing for LA Learning Center, this curated collection includes handouts (also available in Spanish), videos, and online trainings that utilize evidence-based behavior management strategies and resilience-promoting parenting skills to reduce placements for children in LA County’s welfare system and promote family and individual development.
Learn more and view all available resources here.
Create an account and view resource library here.
Sign Up for a 1-1 Consultation with an Education Attorney
Date: Wednesday, May 27th
Time slots: 9am, 10am or 11am
CASA/LA is hosting an IEP consultation clinic with the help of the Alliance for Children’s Rights. This clinic is an opportunity to consult one-on-one with an education attorney to get guidance about your young person’s education.
Steps to schedule a consultation:
- Check your availability: Confirm that you’re available on the clinic date and during possible appointment times. Tentatively mark these on your calendar
- Gather education documents: collect as many documents as you can from the last two years of your young person’s educational history
- Complete the consultation form
- Look out for a confirmation email
Note: Appointments are limited and scheduled on first come, first serve basis. Submit your form early to secure your spot.
Where: Zoom
REGISTER by completing consultation form
Contact Aimee Borrayo with any questions
Resources to Support Advocacy
New Volunteer Resource Hub
Click here to view our new shared resource folders. Our directory of resources will now live in these new folders. Only new and time sensitive resources will be listed in the Buzz.
Click here to submit your own resources. Submissions will regularly get added to the resource hub.
Public Counsel Office Hours
Next Office Hour- Tuesday, May 12th, 12-1pm.
Need legal answers for your CASA youth?
Connect with Public Counsel’s Transition Age Youth (TAY) Team. They provide free, civil legal support to youth ages 16–26 who have experienced foster care. Their areas of expertise include: Housing & Family law, Public benefits advocacy, Education and more. Learn more about the team here.
Register to join a virtual drop-in session with attorneys from Public Counsel to:
- Ask questions specific to your youth’s situation
- Understand their legal rights
- Explore available services & referrals
Please reach out to Emily Scrimshaw with any questions.
Spring into Summer Event
Hope in a Suitcase and Make Good Inc. will be hosting a big pop up shopping day for current foster youth ages 11 – 21. More details to come! See event here.
Jenette bras, in partnership with local CASA chapters, offers an in-person bra fitting, a well-fitting bra, and underwear of their choice, all free of charge. Eligible youth can take advantage of the program once a year! Learn more here.
Free Books for Foster Youth
Throughout Foster Care Awareness Month, LA County Library is proud to offer resources, reading, and a special giveaway for youth in foster care.
They’re also giving away a free book to every young person (17 and under) in foster care who signs up for a new library card at one of their branches in May. See here for more details.
Salute to Recreation Family Festival
Salute to Recreation 2026
May 15 – May 17th
Enjoy a full lineup of activities, including a children’s area, artisan vendors, food and drinks, live entertainment, sports tournaments, and carnival rides and games. Whether you’re looking to try something new, get active, or spend a full day of family-friendly fun, the 2026 Salute to Recreation Family Festival truly has something for everyone. Learn more here!
Free Museum Days in LA
Every month, museums across Los Angeles offer free entry on specific days. Find out more here.
Touchstone Indoor Rock Climbing
Free YMCA Membership
Kids ages 12 and older are eligible for free YMCA memberships at locations across Los Angeles County until they turn 26. Additionally, resource families living within the service areas of the Antelope Valley YMCA or Weingart South Los Angeles YMCA are eligible for free one-year memberships. YMCA facilities can also be used as visitation sites, offering a safe and welcoming space for families.
Click here for the application!
Applications for Camp Erin are now open!
Camp Erin LA is a FREE bereavement camp for families grieving the death of a significant person in their lives within the past 4 years. Children and teens ages 6 to 17 attend a day camp experience that combines grief support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, families are provided a comfortable environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make connections with peers who understand them. Learn more about Camp Erin and Our House here.
Educational Scholarship Opportunity!
- Scholarship Background: Established in 2000 by Mr. Aaron Ruben, the Aaron Ruben Scholarship has long supported current and former CASA youth as they pursue higher education. Through Mr. Ruben’s generosity, more than 100 scholarships have been awarded to date.
- Purpose: The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to current and former CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) youth, helping them pursue and achieve their educational dreams and goals.
- Eligibility and Application Requirements: Detailed eligibility criteria and application requirements are outlined in the scholarship application, Aaron Ruben Scholarship Application 2026-2027. Applicants are encouraged to review all instructions carefully to ensure a complete and successful submission. The deadline to apply is August 15, 2026.
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Contact Information: For questions or additional clarification regarding the scholarship, applicants may contact Carolyn R. McGee, M.A., Advocacy Team Manager, at 323‑859‑2888 (extension 6327) or via email at cm****@****la.org.
Ongoing Resources
Baby2Baby: Resources for Pregnant or Parenting Youth and Young Children
Talk with your advocate supervisor about requesting diapers/wipes and other baby supplies through CASA/LA from Baby2Baby. All orders must be placed by CASA/LA staff.
If your CASA youth is expecting and at least 6 months pregnant, please speak with your Advocate Supervisor about requesting a Welcome Baby basket.
For Goodness Cakes: Treats for Youth Birthdays and Graduations
For Goodness Cakes is a collective of professional bakers who volunteer to make cakes for youth facing adversity. They’d love to make a cake for your CASA youth! See their FAQ part 1 here and FAQ part 2 here. Reach out to your advocate supervisor to ask them to request a cake for your youth.
Pick up a Handmade Quilt for your Youth
Contact your supervisor if you haven’t yet gotten a quilt from the office for your youth. Once you pick one up, please complete the thank you note that comes with the quilt. You can take a picture of the note or scan it and email it to Lauri Halderman
Workshops for Youth in Antelope Valley Hub
Workshops for Resource Parents at AV Hub
Classes for Youth in AV Hub
Connection
CASA Connections
CASA Connections are intended to be positive social experiences that encourage CASAs to connect and build networks of friendship and support.
These spaces are all about sharing ideas, offering encouragement, and working together to find solutions using a strength-based approach. While it’s a great space to talk through challenges, it’s essential to keep the focus constructive and always protect the confidentiality of the children and families we support.
CASA Connection: Education Focused
Each month, our discussion will center around a specific topic related to educational needs. Next meeting, we’re focusing on Related Services.
Related services provide necessary support and services to children with disabilities enabling them to benefit from special education instruction. IDEA requires that a child be assessed in all areas related to their suspected disability. A non-exhaustive list of related services includes speech-language pathology and audiology, physical and occupational therapy, educationally-related intensive counseling, medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, social work services in schools, and parent counseling.
If your assigned youth has an IEP and it is your belief that they might benefit from related services.
We recognize the insight, dedication, and perseverance that you bring when supporting youth through these challenges. Whether you’ve seen progress, faced setbacks, or are still navigating what works best, we invite you to join the discussion and connect with fellow advocates.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 12th at 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – but please drop in anytime!
CASA Connection: General
How are you doing on your CASA Journey?
Each month, we take the opportunity to connect with our fellow CASAs. Whether you’re looking to share how your case is going, looking for specific resources, a little additional guidance or support, or to celebrate recent a win – we’re here!
This is a great space to feel connected to other folks that are on the same path you are.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 26th at 5:30 PM -7:00 PM – but please drop in anytime!
Aimee Borrayo
Manager of Volunteer Engagement
Hi everyone!
Consider me a friendly resource; whether you’re looking for a little extra support, want to chat about how things are going with your team, are curious about trying a different volunteer role, or just need someone to listen. You’ll be hearing from me now and then about connection events, but please don’t wait for an invitation!
Book Groups
Coastline Book Group
When: TBD
Where: CASA’s home in Santa Monica
We’re Reading: Wards of the State by Claudia Crowe
RSVP: contact Lisa Baskin (ba*****@*******al.net)
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.
San Fernando Valley Book Group
When: TBD
Where: CASA’s Home in SFV
We’re Reading: “Letters to My Younger Self: An Anthology of Writing by Incarcerated Men”
RSVP: Contact Renne Bilson (rj******@*ol.com)
* Space is limited to those with completed Covid-19 vaccinations
Support casa/la
Become a Monthly Donor
Monthly donations are crucial to buffering our organization from the ups and downs of life, ensuring that there is no lull in service to the youth we serve.
Help us sustain our transformational programs through a monthly gift.
More Ways to Give
- Use your Ralphs Rewards Card to earn donations for CASA/LA.
- Donate your car, boat, RV, or motorcycle with Helping Hands Charity Services.
- Host a community drive.
- Consider CASA/LA in your planned giving.
- Invite others to become CASA volunteers.
Key guides & links
Emotional Support for CASAs
We care about your well-being. All volunteers may access our EAP program for anonymous counseling.
Click here to learn about the CASA/ LA Benefits EAP for volunteers
ETO: CASA/LA's Database
Need help with ETO? No worries, we got you covered. If the advocate handbook doesn’t have your answer, you can email the ETO helpdesk. Additionally, we have a recorded ETO training available on Litmos.