Voices for Children hosting back-to-school drive
BRAZOS COUNTY – Every child wants something new to wear on their first day of school, and children who have experienced abuse and neglect are no different. Voices for Children is hosting its annual “Shop for CASA” back-toschool clothing drive, benefitting children served by the program.
The goal of the clothing drive is to provide children in foster care with a confident start to the school year by providing new clothes and backpacks. This program provides back to school clothes for foster children in Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon and Madison counties. “CASA volunteers serve children who have been removed from their homes and experienced abuse and neglect,” said Amy Faulkner, Executive Director at Voices for Children. “Having new clothes is something that can give them a sense of normalcy. Shop for CASA is a great opportunity to help the children in our community, and we invite you to join us in meeting this need.”
How volunteers help CASA volunteers meet with the child and the caregivers to create a back-toschool shopping list that includes the child’s sizes and preferred clothing styles. Volunteers from the community are matched with a child or children, based on their shopping preferences. Volunteers can choose if they would like to shop for a specific gender and age group or they can purchase a gift card or donate for the child and their caregivers to shop together.
This system ensures that not only does every child get new clothes, but clothes they are excited to wear. The Shop for CASA drive is held through the months of June and July. Voices for Children hopes to provide two outfits and a backpack per child but, in years past, donors have gone above and beyond by providing shoes, lunch boxes and more.
About Voices for Children
Voices for Children is driven by its mission to improve the lives of children in foster care through powerful volunteer advocacy until each child is placed in a safe and permanent home.
Voices for Children is the local CASA program serving the Brazos Valley with the goal to train volunteer advocates to amplify the voices of children in the child welfare system. Since its founding in 2000, Voices for Children has worked to recruit and train volunteers from the community to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care. CASA programs are made of, and for, the local community. By giving financially, volunteering, or advocating for children involved in the child welfare system, everyone can help amplify the voices of children and ensure they are heard.
To participate in Shop for CASA, visit the Voices for Children website, at https://www.vfcbrazos.org/ events.