Voices for Children FY2018-2019 Impact Report – Riverside County Supplement

FY2018-2019

IMPACT REPORT

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Building on a solid foundation California law allows the Juvenile Court to designate one organization per county as its official CASA program. After serving San Diego County since 1980, Voices for Children was approached by the Judicial Council of California and the local bench to rebuild a CASA program in Riverside County. Since launching its program in 2015, the team has grown to eleven staff members operating out of three offices in Riverside, Murrieta, and Palm Desert. It exceeded early goals and continues to grow, serving 412 children through the advocacy of 311 CASA volunteers during FY2018-2019.

CASA Volunteer Service Awarded In May 2019, CASAs Summer Escorcia, Andi Greer, Lynn Harris, Stacey Morse, Carmen Ortiz, John Page, Carolyn Ponder, Tami Slagill, Samantha Tehrani, and Jasmine Valdez received the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation HERO/Anti-Bullying Award. The award recognizes individuals who are working to address bullying in a meaningful way. Each of the CASAs honored has supported a child who has struggled with social isolation or bullying. We are grateful for their outstanding commitment to their children and modeling of healthy social relationships.

As the designated CASA program for Riverside County, VFC’s CASA volunteers are authorized by the court to investigate the circumstances of a child who has been abused or neglected, spend time with the child, and make best interest recommendations to the Juvenile Court. A CASA learns about the child, observes their needs, and communicates with the other adults on the child’s case, including caregivers, social workers, and attorneys. In addition, they have the opportunity to write a report to provide information that the court might not otherwise have.

Local Leadership In FY2018-2019, Voices for Children’s Riverside County program began building a Community Advisory Council. By joining this group, community members help to spread awareness of our mission, build confidence in our work, and make a commitment to support Voices for Children. In January 2019, Lindsey Poker, vice president – digital lead at US Bank, became our first member. In June 2019, Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, the mayor of Moreno Valley, joined the council.

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ANGELICA AND CASA GAYNOR Angelica’s parents struggled with substance abuse and were not able to care for her and her siblings. Shortly after entering foster care at 17 years old, Angelica was already looking ahead to the inevitable life changes and possibilities in front of her when she turned 18. At this transformative age, she needed a caring, objective adult in her life to help her navigate foster care and the transition into adulthood. Within two months, Voices for Children matched her with CASA Gaynor.

Like many youth who have experienced instability, Angelica was skeptical of CASA Gaynor at first.

Gaynor was not deterred and the two began enjoying regular visits and outings, including cooking classes, going to the movies, shopping, and even donating blood together at Angelica’s request.

Thanks to Gaynor’s consistent presence, the two developed a close bond, and Angelica began to trust Gaynor and let her walls down.

In her reports to the court about Angelica’s progress, CASA Gaynor described the teenager as “intelligent, responsible, thoughtful, and caring.” When Angelica was interested in getting her first job, Gaynor advocated for her to get her birth certificate so she could complete applications. She supported Angelica through a successful graduation from high school with remarkable grades.

And when Angelica started community college in fall 2019, Gaynor advocated for her to receive a laptop to help her complete her schoolwork. The judge agreed with the recommendation, and Angelica was thrilled to receive her very own computer and has since excelled in her classes.

Today, Angelica has plans to transfer to a four-year university after completing her general education credits and hopes to pursue a career working with children.

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BY THE NUMBERS

The impactful results Over the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, Voices for Children’s Riverside County program:

• Advocated on behalf of 412 children • From 311 community members, received more than 12,000 volunteer hours • Recruited, trained, and graduated 89 new CASA volunteers • Matched 159 new children with CASAs • Saw 23 children become adopted or receive permanent guardians and 42 reunify with their families • Held educational rights, and thus were responsible for educational decisions, for 58 children • Submitted 243 court reports to judges

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OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS The following individuals have served as CASA volunteers for three or more years.

Jessica Baldwin-Bookland Yvonne Cervantes Deborah Cohen Ivy Coker Andrea Greer Lynn Harris Rhonda Louden Jose Padilla John Page

Cathy Perring Jeanine Pescuma Irene Pham Carolyn Ponder Nanette Pratini Barbara Ragsdale Christine Rasmussen Vicki Reynolds Wendy Richey

Deborah Roberts Melanie Royer Diana Seeb Tamara Slagill James Steere Crystal Swain Kristin Torres

OUR STELLAR SUPPORTERS ANNUAL GIVING HIGHLIGHTS Our mission would not be possible without the generosity and support of so many. We are grateful to the following donors who made gifts of $100 or more between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. $100,000+

$5,000+

Anonymous California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

100 Women Who Care Temecula Valley Bank of America Charitable Foundation City of Temecula CDBG (HUD) Pacific Western Bank The Office of Supervisor Chuck Washington, Riverside County Board of Supervisors District 3, Community Improvement Designation (CID) Fund The Office of Supervisor John Tavaglione, Riverside County Board of Supervisors District 2, Community Improvement Designation (CID) Fund U.S. Bank Foundation Wells Fargo Foundation

$50,000+ Jocelyn Bauer BetterWorld Trust Focusing Philanthropy Judicial Council of California Riverside County Transportation Commission $25,000+ Anonymous City of Moreno Valley CDBG (HUD) S.L. Gimbel Foundation $10,000+ Bluebird Legacy, Inc. City of Riverside CDBG (HUD) In-N-Out Burger Foundation Riverside County District Attorney’s Office United Way of the Inland Valleys

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$1,000+ Jessica Baldwin Bookland (FB) BigHorn Golf Charities City of Indio M. Kathleen Dye Brad Horwitz Pacific Premier Bank Party City of San Diego and Becca and Jason Craig Lindsey J. Poker

Professional Pest Management Provident Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Rotary Club of Palm Springs Stephen Smyth and Jeff Tonjes James Steere The Champions Volunteer Foundation The Office of Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, Riverside County Board of Supervisors District 4, Community Improvement Designation (CID) Fund $500+ Anonymous (2) Gail and Steven Elliott Robert Galluzzo Lu McKay Jessica and Rafael Muñoz Tracy Pierik Carol Sams St. Clair Enterprises Patricia and Michael St. Clair Kristin Torres $250+ 3-R Plumbing Anonymous Cynthia Brossman Adriel De La Rosa Rhonda Louden Lauren McGinley

John P. Page Carrie Snuggs Richard E. Wells Robin Wesley (FB) $100+ Rhonda and Randy Andrus Anonymous (3) Callidus, Inc. dba Callidus General Contracting Robney Cooper Victor Cuevas Kristine A. Dortch E. Rojas Landscape, Inc. dba ERL Landscape & Maintenance Sandra K. Fielding Lynn Harris Thomas R. Hart Shannon Helm Carmen and Jerry Herrera Hope Lutheran Church Women of the ELCA Cathy and John Kinser Barbara Lefler Sue Ann Marcey (FB) Janis and Steve C. McKee Sharon Morris (FB) Greg Palmer Briana Reeves Duane Wehrs Roderick Youn

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS ‘FOSTERING CULTURE’ PARTNERS March Field Air Museum Palm Springs Air Museum Palm Springs Art Museum Riverside Art Museum COLLABORATING AGENCIES Assistance League of Temecula Valley California School of the Deaf – Riverside

County of Riverside, Department of Public Social Services County of Riverside, Economic Development Agency County of Riverside, Probation Department and Southwest Juvenile Hall One Simple Wish Regional Access Project Foundation Riverside County Office of Education TribalSTAR

(FB) denotes gifts given through a Facebook fundraising campaign.

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