Think of the holiday season. For most people, happy memories and being surrounded by loved ones come to mind. For children in the foster care system, it can be a harsh reminder of what is missing – family. There are more than 13,000 children in Arizona spending the holidays away from their parents and often from their siblings, too. While caretakers may try to make the day special, all the excitement of the holidays can leave children in foster care feeling very alone. With the help of the … [Read more...] about There is No Place Like Hope for the Holidays
Felicia Bicknell
CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) have been standing up for children in Arizona’s foster care system for 35 years. CASA of Arizona volunteers are everyday people who get to know the kids they are appointed to, talk with everyone involved in the case, and help judges identify the best outcome for the child. More than 25,000 children in Arizona have benefited from having a CASA volunteer on their side. The CASA program began in Seattle, Washington, in 1977 when juvenile court judge … [Read more...] about CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
CASA Volunteers Making a Difference in Child Abuse
Have you ever read a horrific story of child abuse and wondered what to do? Instead of passive despair, let the tragic incident serve as a galvanizing call to action for us all to commit to ending abuse and securing the safety and future of every child in Coconino County. We can make a difference when we all become advocates for children. For some of us, advocacy comes in a formal role. Teachers, child care workers, health care providers and others who come in daily contact with children can be … [Read more...] about CASA Volunteers Making a Difference in Child Abuse
Raising Awareness About Domestic Violence
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of an issue that affects every community, and a time to commit to doing something to help support and heal victims—especially the youngest victims. While domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior that one person in a relationship uses to control the other, it’s not only those in the relationship who suffer. Children experience domestic violence by seeing it, hearing it and living in constant fear of … [Read more...] about Raising Awareness About Domestic Violence