We Need Men to Advocate for Boys in Foster Care Now
Research has proven the benefits of a positive, reliable adult male figure in children’s lives, especially boys – but only a small fraction of the boys who desperately need these role models in San Diego County have them. Voices for Children has put out an urgent call for compassionate and empathetic men in San Diego County to step up and become volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).
In San Diego County, about 50 percent of the 2,750 children in foster care annually are boys, but only 19 percent of CASA advocates are male. Currently, 32 boys in San Diego County are waiting for an advocate to be there for them, and more are entering foster care daily. There is a particularly urgent need for men of color, as well as those who are bilingual in Spanish and English.
Voices for Children trains volunteer CASAs to support youth in foster care as they navigate an often confusing and frightening time in their lives, advocating for their needs to the court. Usually, these children have suffered major abuse and trauma and have lacked reliable male figures or positive male role models in their lives. They need good experiences with men who will keep them safe, and CASAs provide that. CASA volunteers do not require any particular professional background, only a willingness to be trained and show up for their case child.
Unlike social workers, who often have heavy caseloads, CASAs are uniquely focused on only one or two children at a time. This allows them to build a trusting relationship and effectively work with social workers, caregivers, attorneys, and other professionals to ensure that a judge has all the information needed to make well-informed decisions for a child in foster care. Most importantly, they advocate for the child’s best interests and ensure their voices are heard.
Although CASA volunteers are trained and ready to advocate for any child, boys fare significantly better with a consistent, positive male influence. Research by Kyle Pruett, M.D., and Warren Farrell, Ph.D., shows that children in foster care are more likely to thrive academically, abstain from using drugs, display self-control, and relate well with others when they have a reliable and supportive male presence in their lives.
Long-time CASA, Tim R. has advocated for six boys in 11 years and was selected as the CASA of the Year in 2022. While on jury duty, the Carlsbad resident learned about Voices for Children when a judge announced that he was looking for a few good men to step up and volunteer as CASAs. Tim decided to pay forward the skills he learned as a father and businessman.
CASA Tim shares, “Being a CASA doesn’t require any particular background or training. I certainly didn’t have any, outside of being the parent of two grown children and a retired founder and partner of an advertising agency. I’m supportive of my case children, but I keep it real. I try to lead by example and use other role models to show them the difference between right and wrong and empathize with others.”
All of CASA Tim’s case youth have lacked a consistent male presence. Because of this, Tim says they were reluctant to trust men. However, when a CASA enters their lives and continuously shows up, they build trust over time.
Volunteering as a CASA is a concrete, actionable way to make a difference in the lives of children in your community. Whether you are advocating in court, talking to a child’s teacher, or doing simple things like teaching a child to ride a bike or cheering them on from the bleachers at sports games, your influence has a huge potential payoff for future generations.
For more information, visit speakupnow.org.
Category: children, Education, family, Local News, Nonprofit
