Help NYC Foster Kids – Save CASA NYC

29 Jan Help NYC Foster Kids – Save CASA NYC

My heart was broken when I read that New York State had cut the funding for the Child Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in NYC (NY Times) I actually broke into tears.

As a former NYC foster kid, I know how important these services are. Speaking from my own experience, it was vital for me to have someone speak on my behalf during court hearings and check in on me as I was being shuffled from home to home. Our foster care system is far from perfect, but Special Advocates create an important level of consistency for those in the system. They’re the ones that provide family updates to foster kids, check in with teachers, and (in my case) provide ongoing comfort and hope. Their actions remind foster kids (during very difficult times) that there are people who care for them and will make sure that their voices are heard.

My experience in foster care is what is known as a success story. After some recurring periods in the system, I was reunited with my family. I’ve gone on to graduate from college, become a successful professional, open my own business and travel to far off places. I have been able to achieve happiness in life because there were good people (like the ones at CASA) willing to fight for me when I couldn’t. I am eternally grateful to those people (my heroes) and want them to be around to help other foster kids in the future.

Please donate whatever you can to help CASA NYC – stay open this year and for years to come. They need to raise $800,000 in total, but whatever we can raise will help make a difference. Also, please forward this page to your family and friends and ask them to make a donation as well.

CASA NYC does make a difference in the lives of those who need support most. Being a foster kid means you have already lost so much. They shouldn’t lose their voices (Special Advocates) too.

Thanks so much for your support
-Charell Star

#SaveCasaNYC