San Francisco CASA Interview
Young people in foster care and the juvenile system are underrepresented. They face unprecedented hardships and uncertainty, making it difficult for these young individuals to get up on their feet. Many of San Francisco’s foster youth are left abandoned by their biological parents, and many of them suffer from developmental disabilities.
San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates works to transform the lives of children and youth traumatized and displaced in the foster care systems.
Find out how San Francisco CASA stands up for foster children.
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June 28, 2023
San Francisco CASA Makes Sure Every Child and Youth Is In a Safe and Loving Family
#548 Great.com Talks With... San Francisco CASA
San Francisco's foster youth coming into the system are traumatized. Suddenly, they find themselves in a new environment, completely unfamiliar and alien to them. They have no one to turn to, and in some cases, they face constant displacements from one home to another. But what we're forgetting is that these are brilliant young boys and girls crying out for help. That's why in today's episode, we talked with Shiko Wanjiku, People and Culture Leader at San Francisco CASA.
San Francisco CASA focuses on providing support and advocacy for young people in foster care and the juvenile justice system. They aim to make a positive impact on the lives of these individuals by offering consistent, caring adults who will walk with them through the foster care system, ensuring their voices are heard and their best interests are considered.
Showing Up For Those That Need It the Most
San Francisco CASA recruits volunteers from diverse backgrounds who are interested in helping and supporting neglected foster youth in foster care. They aim to bring in individuals who are not necessarily professionals in the foster care system but have a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of these children and youth.
CASA volunteers write court reports that focus on humanizing the young person and presenting a holistic view of their needs and strengths. By doing so, they aim to ensure that the judge and the court system see the young person as an individual with unique circumstances rather than just a case number.
Moreover, the organization fights to address systemic inequities and racial disparities in the foster care system, where a disproportionate number of African American and Black-identifying young people are in care compared to their representation in the general population.
Listen to the whole interview to find out how San Francisco CASA fights for San Francisco's foster youth and neglected children to have a second chance. They're a nonprofit organization and rely on donations.
Want to know more about San Francisco CASA? Be on the lookout for future press releases and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.