CASA for Children of Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties

Mission

We advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who are in foster care. We dedicate our resources to recruiting, training, and supporting citizen advocates (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to provide quality advocacy to as many children as we can.

Bottom Line for Portland

In Oregon, children have entered foster care at roughly 2x the rate nationally, while our organization’s service area is responsible for about one third of the children in foster care in Oregon. Every year, CASA for Children supports nearly 500 CASAs in their advocacy for over 1,000 youth in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties. Research shows youth that have the benefit of a long-term relationship of trust with a CASA are likely to have better mental health, more education, more likely to have a job, and have lower rates of poverty & homelessness; however, due to limited financial resources provided by the state, our agency is only able to provide a CASA volunteer to less than half of the children in foster care in our service area.

Quote

“To give a child a CASA volunteer is to give them a voice. To give them a voice is to give them hope, and to give them hope is to give them the world."

- Pamela, a former foster child with a CASA

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CASA for Children recognizes the levels of oppression that disproportionately impact children in the foster care system. We commit to the ongoing learning and adaptation needed to better serve the children in our community and better equip our citizen advocates. Our organization prioritizes continuing education for staff and volunteers, community partnerships to expand connection and competencies, and cultural responsiveness to guide our practices and work.

Incentives

Tonkon Torp is matching all gifts up to $2,500.

Business Partner(s)

Tonkon Torp