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SFCASA's major supporters make it possible for us to reach out to more of San Francisco's foster children each year. Thank you! |
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Are you interesting in learning more about becoming an SFCASA volunteer? Find out what it takes at sfcasa.org
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Letter from our Co-Chairman: Susan S. Crown
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 Dear SFCASA Friends, My name is Susan Crown, and I have been affiliated with SFCASA, the San Francisco CASA Program, since I joined the board in March of 2001. I have always been very concerned about children, particularly those who through no fault of their own find themselves in extremely vulnerable and tenuous circumstances. After hearing a foster child speak about the life changing role that one of our CASAs had on his life, I decided that I needed to lend my skills, financial support and compassion to SFCASA to help support this critical work on behalf of foster children. I have been dedicated to CASA since that time, and as of January 2010, I have been serving as co-chairman of the board. The month of May has a special significance for all those involved in the foster care system because May is National Foster Care Month. It is a time when we can officially recognize children and youth in foster care and the tireless individuals who work to promote their safety and help them to thrive. However, for foster care children and youth, the arrival of the summer months can create great anxiety at the loss of the familiar routine of the school year. Even their daily school lunch is no longer available to them during the summer, and they often go without this meal. These children do not have opportunities to experience summer camps, sport leagues or family vacations because they simply cannot afford them. Read more to see how you can make this summer a memorable one for a foster child. |
Featured Article: Sunshine and Daydreams Fund
| Roy was looking forward to attending the summer camp his CASA, Wally, had arranged when he w as removed from his in-home placement and the care of his mother due to her involuntarily commitment for psychiatric evaluation. Because Roy was removed so suddenly, he did not have any clothing for camp and couldn't even get into his home because his mother was in a locked psychiatric unit for two weeks. Wally was able to provide the necessary items for camp with money from the Sunshine and Daydreams Fund, and he was thrilled to report that Roy enjoyed camp and was awed by his new camp wardrobe.
Roy's story is just one of many reasons that SFCASA has come to depend on the Sunshine and Daydreams Fund. Like Roy, many
foster children experience chaos in their homes and are deprived of basic human
needs like clothing and shoes. SFCASA has been able to provide emergency
necessities in situations like this. Modest in size but grand in its impact,
the Sunshine Fund has helped to supplement camp fees, such as a Diabetes
Camp, that two of our client youth are hoping to attend this summer, school
scholarships, and the Birthday Club, which allows us to buy birthday gifts for
children and youth who may not receive anything on their special day.
To find out more about the Sunshine and Daydreams Fund and to learn how you can help
kids like Roy, click here.
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| Happenings | | The SFCASA Board of Directors Luncheon: The Annual
BDr. Gordon with his Wife, Margaret  | oard of Directors Luncheon is a major source of funding for SFCASA, as well as an opportunity to share our important work with the community. This year, we were pleased to honor Dr. Milton Gordon and learn about the important path he helped to pave for emancipated foster youth with college aspirations. Additionally, we heard from Fatemah Nikchehi, a former SFCASA client youth that overcame great adversity with the help of her SFCASA volunteer, and who now provides a nurturing home as a foster parent for her young siblings. Our event was a great success. We had over 270 attendees and raised close to $95,000. To put it simply, we couldn't have done it without all of your support! Thank you!
To see more pictures from our event click here.
Keeping the Promise: On April 7-9, National CASA, in partnership with CBS Broadcasting, brought the national Forgotten Children Program to San Cutouts at Civic Center Plaza  | Francisco's Civic Center and Union Square Plazas. 433 cardboard cutouts were placed to represent the number of children that entered foster care in San Francisco in 2009.
The event raised awareness about the issues of Child Abuse and Foster Care in San Francisco. Representatives from CASA and other Bay Area non-profits were there to talk to the community about the issues facing our children in the foster care system.
Painting the Music Event: On May 21, Chloe Fine Arts Gallery, in collaboration with the SFCASA Guild, hosted a CD Release Party, Group Exhibition, and Silent Auction featuring Andrea Razzauti to benefit SFCASA. Everyone was simply swept away as they were filled with the cool and eclectic rhythms of Mr. Razzauti and two-time Grammy Award winning musician/producer Paul Brown . Supporters were also able to bid on timeless pieces of art, including the magnificent work of Andrea Razzauti, Aldo Luongo, and Alfie Fernandes. We appreciate Chloe Fine Arts Gallery for helping us put on such a great event, and we owe so much of our gratitude to those who were able to attend and support such a great cause! |
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