Washington, DC – November 12, 2019 – CASA for Children of DC has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children. CASA for Children of DC recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
The EMPOWER Grant will enable CASA for Children of DC to better address the unique needs of children in DC who are vulnerable to human trafficking or who have survived sexual abuse, sexual assault, or sexual exploitation.
“We recognize that foster youth are particularly vulnerable to sex trafficking, and that
there is a strong intersection in the trauma experience and needs of those survivors, and those who have survived sexual assault and abuse. Youth who have survived these experiences have cited the importance of having a trusted adult figure in their lives and building life skills to support their future,” said Arika Orozco, Executive Director of CASA for Children of DC.
There are 950 CASA/GAL programs nationwide, including 45 state offices. The federal grant funds distributed through National CASA/GAL are provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, US Department of Justice, as authorized under the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990. In 2018, National CASA/GAL was awarded nearly $10 million in federal grants.
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About CASA for Children of DC
CASA for Children of DC is a leading voice in advocacy for court-involved youth in the District of Columbia. CASA DC connects specially-trained volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates to support vulnerable and at-risk youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. CASAs develop a mentor-like relationship with their youth and advocate for their youth’s best interests in Court, promoting greater outcomes and the opportunity to thrive. For more information, visit www.casadc.org
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