Voices for Children Riverside County

Friday, September 18th is Buck for Kids Day at Dutch Bros! 💙☕️ Grab your favorite drink at any participating Dutch Bros location and make a difference in a child’s life!

📍 Participating Locations

Cathedral City: 34051 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234
Eastvale: 13322 Limonite Ave, Eastvale, CA 92880
Hemet: 3121 W Florida Ave, Hemet, CA 92545
Indio: 81-776 Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
Indio: 41906 Jackson St, Indio, CA 92203
La Quinta: 44175 Jefferson St, La Quinta, CA 92253
Moreno Valley: 23140 Hemlock Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92557
Moreno Valley: 25040 Alessandro Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Murrieta: 27410 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta, CA 92562
Norco: 3561 Hamner Ave, Norco, CA 92860
Riverside: 9604 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92503
Riverside: 4990 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92503
San Jacinto: 730 W Ramona Expy, San Jacinto, CA 92582

For every drink sold, the Dutch Bros Foundation will donate $1 to support Voices for Children and the life-changing work we do alongside our dedicated Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).

At Voices for Children, we recruit, train, and support CASA volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. Our CASAs are trusted, consistent adults who help ensure children have the support, services, and stability they need to thrive. Your drink can help provide a voice to children who need it most.

Last week, Voices for Children team members had the honor of attending the 2026 California CASA Association State Conference in Costa Mesa.

Centered on the theme “Coming Together, Shaping Our Collective Impact,” the conference brought colleagues from CASA programs across the state together to connect, exchange best practices, and find inspiration in our shared commitment to serving children living in foster care.

At the conference, members of our Riverside County team facilitated one of the workshops. Managing Director, Sharon Morris along with Amanda Szydlowski, Distance Advocacy Specialist, shared how analysis of our youth waiting list led to the development of a new distance advocacy model. This model gives youth the traditional CASA experience while providing enhanced support.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from our statewide CASA community and return home with new ideas and renewed energy to strengthen our impact together.

Consistency changes everything.✨

For Anthony, it was CASA Daniel. For Josh and Emanuel, it was CASA Tim. For Vanessa, it was CASA Laura. For Luis, it was CASA Art.

When youth in foster care face frequent transitions, the consistent support of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) can be the foundation they need to thrive.

Join us next Tuesday, August 25, for The Real Word Speakers Panel: Building Relationships while in Foster Care. Hear directly from Luis, Anthony, Josh, Vanessa, and Emanuel as they discuss the real challenges of forming connections in the system and how their CASAs showed up for them.

Learn how to build trust, understand the shifting dynamics of relationships for youth in care, and discover how YOU can be that consistent presence.

Register here 👉 https://buff.ly/Prpa4ri

There’s something special about the simple moments.

One of the most important responsibilities of a CASA volunteer is visiting their assigned child at least once each month. These visits help build trust, strengthen relationships, and give children the chance to simply be kids.

For 13-year-old "Trent", that means heading to Guitar Center with his CASA Bill. Every other outing, the pair spends time testing out the drum sets, fostering Trent's love of playing drums. The amazing employees at the store have welcomed them with open arms, giving them a cool place to hang out, make some music, and just have fun.

It's more than an outing—it's about creating consistency, encouragement, and joyful memories with a caring adult who shows up month after month. 💙

Learn how you can become a CASA 👉 https://buff.ly/OTop7OF

A heartfelt thank you to the Uptown Kiwanis Club Of Riverside for inviting Voices for Children to share about our mission and the life-changing impact of becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for children in foster care.

We are incredibly grateful for your generosity in making a $1,000 gift to support our program. Thanks to your thoughtful decision to make your donation through our matching partner, Focusing Philanthropy, your gift was amplified to a total of $1,500—creating an even greater impact for the children we serve.

We are grateful for all you do to strengthen our local community, especially your unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children. Your partnership and dedication help create brighter futures, and we are honored to work alongside organizations that share our vision. 💙

🌞 Taste of Summer starts today! 🍽️

We're excited to be participating in Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage, a delicious way to support both local nonprofits and restaurants!

If you're in Rancho Mirage or the surrounding communities, be sure to purchase your $10 Taste of Summer wristband and enjoy exclusive dining offers throughout the event. Every wristband purchased from VFC goes to VFC! This is the perfect excuse to explore and enjoy some of the area's best restaurants while supporting local youth in foster care.

A huge thank you to the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce for creating this wonderful opportunity for nonprofits like Voices for Children to raise funds and gain visibility while supporting eateries during the slower summer months.

Comment below for more information or call (951) 472-9300.

If you have time to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 🌎🏆⚽ this summer, you already have the time to transform the life of a child in foster care!

By becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and dedicating just 10 hours a month — roughly the time it takes to watch 5 FIFA World Cup matches — you can ensure a vulnerable youth's voice is heard. As a CASA, you’ll spend consistent one-on-one time with a child to build a trusting relationship and understand their unique needs. Behind the scenes, you will collaborate with the professionals involved in their case, including social workers, teachers, attorneys, and therapists, and write impactful reports directly for the judge to ensure the court knows exactly what the child needs to thrive.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features over 100 hours of game time. Putting just a fraction of that toward a child in your community can change their future forever. Bring your team spirit and sign up for an upcoming Information Session today to learn how you can advocate for a child in foster care 👉 https://buff.ly/M5l37Ty

Please join us in congratulating our CASA of the Month, CASA Marla!

When 15-year-old Kathi was moved to a new foster placement this past May, the very final month of the school year, she faced the overwhelming challenge of changing homes, neighborhoods, and schools all at once. Kathi explicitly shared her hope to finish out the term in a place where she felt safe and comfortable, rather than navigating the stress of a brand-new school just weeks before summer break.

Knowing how important this continuity was for Kathi's education and well-being, CASA Marla immediately sprang into action. While Kathi's social worker and caregiver worked on long-term logistics, CASA Marla stepped in to drive Kathi to and from school multiple times a week.

🚗 Those car rides became an anchor. Through simple, everyday interactions during school drop-offs and pick-ups, CASA Marla provided a steady, caring presence. She offered encouragement when Kathi needed it most, proving to her that she had someone firmly in her corner.

Thanks to CASA Marla’s dedication, Kathi didn’t have to say an abrupt goodbye to her friends and was able to successfully finish the year at her preferred school. Marla ensured Kathi felt seen, valued, and empowered during a major crossroads in her life.

Be inspired by CASA Marla’s journey with 15-year-old Kathi*
👉 https://buff.ly/sWEHPDm

As Pride Month comes to a close, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and ensuring every child feels safe and free to be their authentic self.

This Pride Month and always, we celebrate and stand with our LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems. 🏳️‍🌈

Learn more: https://www.speakupnow.org/

📣 Local Leaders Step Up for Children in Foster Care! 📣

The revised California state budget now includes $20 million for CASA programs! We are incredibly grateful to our local leaders who see the transformative impact CASA volunteers have every single day.

A massive THANK YOU to our representatives in Riverside County who stood up for our community's children in foster care. by serving on the Budget Committee or signing the Budget Letter:

Assemblymember Greg Wallis
Assemblymember Corey Jackson
Assemblymember Natasha Johnson
Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez
Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo
Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
Senator Kelly Seyarto

🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE! 🚨

While this is a massive victory, it isn't final yet. The budget is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration. We need to ensure this vital funding remains in the final budget so our communities can continue to provide CASA volunteers for the youth who need them most.

Take 2 minutes today to advocate for youth in foster care:

1. Go to: www.gov.ca.gov/contact
2. Select the Topic: "Legislation Issues/Concerns"
3. Message: Urge Governor Newsom to keep the $20M CASA funding in the state budget!
4. 📞 Prefer to call? Dial 916-445-2841 to leave your message directly.

Every voice matters. Let's make sure every child navigating the court system has the powerful, dedicated support of a CASA volunteer. 💙