Volunteers from Milpitas nonprofit, Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, recently took an oath to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in support of foster youth.
Fostering Advocacy
A group of 24 new CASA volunteers were sworn in at the nonprofit's main office in Milpitas, following 30 hours of rigorous training and a tour of the Santa Clara County Dependency Court. The swearing-in ceremony, led by supervising judge Shawna Schwarz, marked the beginning of their important role in advocating for foster youth within the court system.
Diverse Representation
In an effort to address the needs of foster children awaiting a CASA volunteer, the organization aimed to diversify its pool of advocates by recruiting more male, bilingual, Spanish-speaking, and LGBTQ+ volunteers. The group of 24 new volunteers includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, with seven bilingual Spanish-speakers, six male advocates, and three identifying as LGBTQ+. CEO Frederick J. Ferrer highlighted the importance of connecting foster youth with volunteers who can truly understand and advocate for them.
Comprehensive Training
The volunteers underwent thorough training, including a panel featuring current CASA volunteers, social workers, and former foster youth sharing their experiences. Practice scenarios and case studies were utilized to equip the volunteers with the skills needed to effectively manage the cases they will soon be handling.
Supportive Environment
Contrary to popular belief, CASA volunteers do not require specific backgrounds or experiences. Each volunteer is backed by Child Advocates staff once they are paired with a foster youth or sibling group. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit ChildAdvocatesSV.org.
Traffic Signal Update
On a separate note, the installation of a new traffic signal at East Calaveras Boulevard and Carnegie Drive, originally scheduled for August, has been postponed until at least March 2025 due to unforeseen delays in the manufacturing process. In the meantime, a temporary four-way stop has been put in place to manage traffic flow at the intersection. The traffic signal project is part of a collaboration between the City of Milpitas and Milpitas Unified School District, aimed at improving accessibility around local schools.