The pandemic of 2020 is taking it's toll on a lot of things. Two of them, that don't always make headlines are non-profits and foster children.
Abuse and neglect are up of children is up during this pandemic. There are so many factors affecting this, such as stress, lack of money and food and the overall environment we are living in. The big problem is that reports of the abuse have subsided. Social workers are not having the face-to-face interaction they used to with foster children, and new cases are not being recognized because the children are not in school, which is a primary place for abuse to be recognized and reported.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children is a non-profit that provides trained volunteer advocates who become one-on-one advocates for children in foster care. Trained in many of the aspects that affect these children, their job is to check in with the child, work with the social worker and all others that take care of the particular child, and get to know the child so they can best report to the courts if something is needed or awry. These advocates often know the child the best because they are assigned one-on-one to the children.
CASA is a nationwide program with programs in almost every county. Funding is down for most of them as fundraisers have not been held as usual. Many have taken to virtual fundraisers. In addition to providing advocates, most CASA programs also supply the children with items they may want or wish for, such as backpacks, toiletries, luggage, computers and even prom dresses.
If you would like to help out the children in Bergen County NJ, they are holding a virtual auction entitled Bid to Change a Child's Story. President Zonie Le Sane states, "This isolation of this pandemic has had devastating effects on families and children that were already in trouble. Our advocates have been on the front lines trying to keep in contact with these children. Please consider bidding or a donation to CASA, as these volunteers and the supervision and contact they provide are one of the only ways to make sure the children are getting the services they need to be kept safe, healthy and educated."
To view the items and to bid:
Items range from handbags to jewely to gift certificates to trips and more. You can view the items by clicking on Featured Items without registering first.
All CASA programs are in need of help. Funds and new advocates are always needed. To find out more about CASA visit. https://nationalcasagal.org/
For information on Bergen County, NJ CASA: https://bergencasa.org/