{"id":4219,"date":"2022-06-07T10:11:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T13:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/?p=4219"},"modified":"2022-06-13T17:34:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T20:34:28","slug":"the-national-casa-gal-association-for-children-and-unbelievably-resilient-host-casa-gal-volunteers-day-june-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationalcasagal.org\/the-national-casa-gal-association-for-children-and-unbelievably-resilient-host-casa-gal-volunteers-day-june-6\/","title":{"rendered":"The National CASA\/GAL Association for Children and Unbelievably Resilient host CASA\/GAL Volunteer\u2019s Day June 6"},"content":{"rendered":"
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June 7, 2022<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t

The National CASA\/GAL Association for Children and Unbelievably Resilient host CASA\/GAL Volunteer\u2019s Day June 6<\/h2>\n\t\t

NEWS<\/p>\n

<\/strong>Contact: Kimberly Willis Green,\u00a0kimberlywg@nationalcasagal.org<\/a>, 206-774-7245<\/em>
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\"\"SEATTLE, Wash. \u2013 <\/strong>On June 6, 2022, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate\/Guardian ad Litem (CASA\/GAL) Association for Children collaborated with Unbelievably Resilient to host the second annual CASA\/GAL Volunteer\u2019s Day to honor and thank CASA\/GAL volunteers nationwide, who work hard to ensure children and youth in the child welfare system have their voices heard every day. Unbelievably Resilient<\/a> is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the negative narrative surrounding foster care.<\/p>\n

To acknowledge the dedication and extraordinary service of CASA\/GAL volunteers, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Todd Young (IN), and U.S. Representative Katie Porter (CA) recognized CASA\/GAL Volunteer\u2019s Day as sponsors of companion House and
\nSenate<\/a> resolutions before members of Congress.<\/p>\n

The day culminated with a hybrid in-person and virtual celebration featuring remarks from National CASA\/GAL Board Chair Joseph (Joe) Bankoff, National CASA\/GAL Deputy CEO Sally Erny, Unbelievably Resilient Executive Director Keri Richmond; members of Congress; CASA\/GAL volunteers and youth sharing their stories; and a performance by the Chicago Children\u2019s Choir. Additionally, Akerman Academic Excellence Scholarship recipients Idelia Robinson-Confer, Tawanna Brown and Nishimwe Emeline shared their appreciation for CASA\/GAL volunteers.<\/p>\n

The event streamed live from the National CASA\/GAL 2022 Annual Conference in Seattle where over 840 members and volunteers of National CASA\/GAL\u2019s network of 950 state organizations and local programs, along with peers in child welfare, gathered for learning, exchange and celebration of National CASA\/GAL\u2019s 40th anniversary.<\/p>\n

On any given day, there are nearly 406,000 children in foster care in the United States. Appointed by judges, CASA\/GAL volunteers advocate for the best interests of children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care. Nationwide, more than 93,000 CASA\/GAL highly-trained volunteers serve 242,000 children and youth in the child welfare system.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that through the celebration of this day, people nationwide will have the chance to better understand the critical role a CASA\/GAL volunteer plays in the lives of young people,\u201d said National CASA\/GAL CEO Tara Lisa Perry<\/a>. \u201cWe are proud to serve over half of the children and youth in foster care but aspire to reach every child in need of a CASA\/GAL volunteer\u2019s services. As we celebrate 40 years of impact in 2022, we hope many more people will be inspired to join the ranks of almost one million volunteer advocates who have supported children and youth as they navigate dependency court and the child welfare system over the past four decades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keri Richmond, a former foster youth and Executive Director of Unbelievably Resilient, recalls her experience with her CASA volunteer Kathy. \u201cI was four when I went back into foster care. Everything happened so quickly and in the blink of an eye there were so many different adults coming in and out, asking me lots of questions and shuffling me around in a sort of panicked, chaotic way,\u201d said Richmond. \u201cBut Kathy stands out as the face I see most clearly during this time. She spoke softly and slowly, always wearing a smile. Simply being around her made the entire room feel calmer. She was gentle, kind and loving \u2013 she was my CASA volunteer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Richmond also thanked National CASA\/GAL for collaborating with Unbelievably Resilient to make this day a reality. \u201cWhen you are a youth in foster care, a CASA\/GAL volunteer steps in to be a voice for you,\u201d said Richmond. \u201cThey are the ultimate ally to us, because they help children and youth find their voices, so that when they age out of foster care, they can elevate their voices.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch the CASA\/GAL Volunteer\u2019s Day celebration.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n