CASA Of Silicon Valley Gets $35,000 Grant Award

MILPITAS, CA -- It takes a village -- or maybe an army to care for children. CASA of Silicon Valley has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate to help recruit, train and support more volunteers from the community.

The goal is for volunteers to work one-on-one with children in the foster care system who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA provides critical emotional and educational support.

On a national level, a child enters the foster care system every two minutes. Currently, there aren't enough volunteers to care for this high rate of enrollment. Santa Clara County reports about 1,300 children in foster care. The nonprofit agency has a three-year strategic plan to serve 1,200 children with a CASA volunteer by 2021.

"We know CASAs make a tremendous difference in a foster child's life," CASA Silicon Valley Executive Director Karen Scussel said.

Volunteers must be over 21 and pass a background check. One may sign up at www.BeMyAdvocate.org/volunteer

Two information sessions are scheduled for Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 5 at 5:45 p.m. at the Sobrato Center at 1400 Parkmoor Ave. in San Jose.

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