“CARING FOR AMERICA” REPORT

Chairing this Program will be an honor and a learning experience.

I have shared an idea with our President, Nancy Brenna, and she concurs that the following initiative would exemplify what Caring for America is about.

The Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) program is a non-profit designed to support children who are in the custody of the State of New Mexico after removal of these children from their homes and placed in a Foster care due to issues within the home. Children in the program range in age from days old up to age 18 which at that time they are no longer eligible for Foster care. Their time in foster care may be months or years and it isn’t unusual that these children are moved multiple times to different foster homes.

CASA and the State of New Mexico only provide limited funds for the care of these children and minimal allowance for clothing. Due to the immediate nature of the removal from their parental home, it is typical that they may only have the clothes they’re wearing and/or a change of clothing. Accordingly, the CASA program, through donations attempts to provide clothing and other essential needs. While foster parents receive monies for the care of children, extra funds for clothing are minimal such as $100 for school clothes. CASA volunteers receive special training to become a certified District Court appointed volunteer to serve as a case worker focused on the educational and emotional progress of children in this program and submit reports making recommendations to the District Judge periodically.

Our children are our future. They are the citizens and potential leaders of tomorrow. They need to know that others care about them and are invested in seeing their lives improve.

By providing donations in the form of clothing and suitcases to carry their belongings from one home to another (not unusual for children to simple have a trash bag in which to place the few things), we could play a small part in improving their lives and bring a smile to some traumatized children.

The proposal is that each Chapter consider holding two initiatives a year of their choice dedicated to supporting this organization. Those initiatives could include conducting a warm or summer clothing donation drive, hosting their annual Christmas party or providing Christmas gifts, conducting a raffle with the funds being given to their local CASA, collecting and donating small suitcases, or hosting a luncheon or afternoon get together for the CASA volunteers working in their area. The choice is yours to make.

I have copies of the points of contact for your area to share with each of you. After you have met with your respective Board members, please let me know if you wish to participate and if so, please provide details so that I can in turn provide that information to our National FRW.

Respectfully submitted,
Anita B Leivo
Chair, Caring for America

PS – If you would like we can have as one of our Guest Speakers in the future, one of the CASA Directors to provide more detailed information about the program including the number of children CASA serves throughout our State.