As the holidays approach, Tracey and Jeff talked about what we're thankful for, specifically within our CASA nonprofit. The nonprofit has continued to do great things in the community for children living in foster care and their families over this past year. This was a very heartfelt discussion. 

In this episode, we shine a light on an issue that is, at time, overlooked within the foster care world — food insecurity within our communities and how it deeply affects children and families. From limited access to meals to the emotional impact of food instability, Tracey and Jeff discuss how hunger influences a child’s sense of safety, stability, and well-being. Our CASA program believes that we should all be working to ensure every child, no matter their circumstance, has consistent access to the nourishment they deserve.

This week, Jeff spoke to Jeanette Yoffe, a woman who wears many professional hats, but overall aims to educate the world about foster care and therapeutic practices. Her story is one that inspires. At 15-months-old, her mother - an Argentinian immigrant in Lower Manhattan struggling with severe mental health issues - dropped her off at what she believed was a child welfare center. She was mistaken and was accidentally placed in foster care. That initial separation and the many traumas that endured fueled her desire to become a social worker for children in the Los Angeles foster care system. She has developed a series of coping tools for foster kids and their caretakers. This was a fascinating conversation.

Here at our CASA SHaW program, we have a number of CASA volunteers who have been with our program for well over a decade. They have been the eyes and ears on their case(s) and have made an incredible difference in the lives of the children they have served. This is Part 3 of our "Why" series, as we talk to these amazing individuals and dive into their "why." Why they have stayed with CASA so long, and what their volunteerism has meant to them. Our incredible CASA volunteer, Phyllis Meichel, joined us this week to tell her story.

Here at our CASA SHaW program, we have a number of CASA volunteers who have been with our program for well over a decade. They have been the eyes and ears on their case(s) and have made an incredible difference in the lives of the children they have served. This is Part 2 of our "Why" series, as we talk to these amazing individuals and dive into their "why." Why they have stayed with CASA so long, and what their volunteerism has meant to them. Our incredible CASA volunteers, Lynn Kinkel and Nan Frankel, joined us this week to tell their stories.

Here at our CASA SHaW program, we have a number of CASA volunteers who have been with our program for well over a decade. They have been the eyes and ears on their case(s) and have made an incredible difference in the lives of the children they have served. As part of our "Why" series, we're diving into their "why." Why they have stayed with CASA so long, and what their volunteerism has meant to them. Our amazing CASA volunteer, Joel Dorfman, talked about his why in this episode.

The one thing individuals in the social work world have is compassion. Compassion for those who are less fortunate within our local communities. We want to help, and many do their all to bring positivity to others. However, how should we handle and feel when the resulting burnout arises? This episode dives into these subject matters for our CASA volunteers and all individuals in our communities.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff discussed their own personal stories about summertime positive childhood experiences from their past. For many, summer signifies a break from the usual demands of school and work, offering opportunities for relaxation, travel, and spending quality time with people who matter most to us. The positive childhood experiences we have as youth helps create nostalgia, particularly for positive memories, which can boost self-esteem, create feelings of social connection, and even help regulate emotions during times of uncertainty. Here are a few of their stories.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff are keeping things light. Well, as light as they can be. While funding for CASA programs throughout the United States remain up in the air based on federal funding cuts, Tracey and Jeff discussed how we can find fun funding sources for our CASA programs in the future. 

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff dove into the critical importance of resource parents within the world of foster care. These individuals, mainly family members, are some of the forgotten individuals at times within the system. Why are resource parents so important? How can they help provide for youth living in foster care? These are some of the questions we answered within this episode.