Mark your calendars for a CASA Celebration night to remember! Together, with A Little Help from Our Friends, we’ll celebrate advocacy, impact, and hope in an unforgettable evening you won’t want to miss!
For sponsorship information, please visit: /
#CASAOC #CASACelebration2026 #HELPChildrenThrive #WithALittleHELPFromOurFriends #SupportingYouth FosterCareSupport
This year, we’re rolling out something new and meaningful. 💙
At CASA of Orange County, we use the H.E.L.P. Model to guide how our advocates support children and teens in foster care. This strengths-based framework focuses on four key areas that help youth thrive:
❤️ Health – Physical, mental, and emotional well-being
📚 Education – Academic success and lifelong learning
🌱 Life Skills – Confidence for independence and adulthood
🏡 Permanency – Safe relationships and stable placements
The H.E.L.P. Model was created by our team using insights from the CASA OC Youth Outcomes Survey, grounding our advocacy in real youth experiences and needs. Over the coming months, we’ll be breaking down each pillar and showing how our volunteers bring this model to life.
This is how we advocate. This is how we help. This is H.E.L.P. Read about here: /casa-blog/casa-oc-youth-outcomes-survey
Sign up for an info session today: /become-a-casa
#HELPModel #CASAOC #FosterCareAwareness #AdvocacyInAction #EveryChildDeserves
DATE CORRECTION 📆
Save the date for one of CASA OC’s most anticipated events of the year ⛳.
The CASA Classic returns on Friday, September 25th, 2026, at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point.
Join us for a memorable day on the course featuring on course activations, great food, music, and an unforgettable cocktail celebration all in support of children and youth in foster care.
Sponsorship opportunities and event details are now available. To learn more, contact Debbie Masek at [email protected] |
We look forward to teeing up impact with you đź’™ !
#CASAClassic #GoldForGood #CASAOC #SupportFosterYouth #SaveTheDate
đź’™ Thank You to Our Corporate & Foundation Partners đź’™
We are deeply grateful for the corporate and foundation donors who make our mission possible. Because of your generosity, CASA OC can continue providing youth in foster care with a consistent, caring adult in their corner, someone who shows up, speaks up, and stands by them. Your investment in these children creates ripples that last a lifetime. Thank you for believing in brighter futures.
If you’re interested in exploring a partnership with CASA of Orange County, please visit: /partners
#CASAOC #CommunitySupport #CorporateGiving #FosterCareAdvocacy #Gratitude
Foster Care Awareness Month: Jason’s Journey to Berkeley 💙
At eight, Jason dreamed of becoming an engineer. As a youth in foster care, the odds were stacked against him. But with a CASA advocate, a college counselor, and a community that showed up, he got into UC Berkeley out of 133,000 applicants.
“I am who I am because of the people who helped give me opportunities I never thought I’d have.” His story is proof of what’s possible when a community rallies behind a child. 💛
Read his full story heređź”—:/casa-blog/jasons-journey-to-berkeley-the-help-model-in-action
#FosterCareAwarenessMonth #CASAOC #FosterCareSupport #EducationMatters #MakingADifference
Board Member Spotlight: Barry McManus đź’™
Barry entered foster care at ten. One family stepped in and changed everything. Now he’s paying it forward as a CASA OC board member and co-chair of this year’s Celebration Gala. “For me, one person changed everything. If we can do that for even one child, it’s worth it.”
Read his full story here đź”—: /casa-blog/a-little-help-from-our-friends-the-difference-one-person-can-make
Learn how you can help: /become-a-casa
#BoardMemberSpotlight #CASAOC#FosterCareSupport #MakingADifference #AdvocacyMatters
May Advocates of the Month: Lori & Shannon Mcilroy đź’™
After years of watching her mom volunteer with CASA, Shannon followed in her footsteps, and now this mother-daughter duo advocates side by side for youth in foster care.
“There’s an easy camaraderie between them — they laugh at the same things and often finish each other’s sentences.”
Thank you, Lori and Shannon, for your heart, dedication, and the beautiful example you set together.
Read their full story here đź”—: /casa-blog/advocate-of-the-month-lori-amp-shannon-mcllory
Learn how you can help a youth in foster care thrive: /become-a-casa
#AdvocateOfTheMonth #CASAOC #FosterCareSupport #MakingADifference #MotherDaughter
Big impact, and we’re still growing 💙 We’ve raised $10,190, and thanks to the generous match from Fletcher Jones Motorcars, that total has doubled to $20,380 for youth in foster care 🙌
But there are still 1,981 pinwheels waiting to be sponsored…
Join us May 23rd at Fashion Island to experience a display of 3,000 pinwheels, each representing a child in Orange County’s foster care system 🌟
Together, we can help ensure every child is seen, heard, and supported. Sponsor a pinwheel and be part of the impact đź’™
Sponsor a pinwheel at: /pinwheel
#CASAOC #KidsForCASA #PinwheelProject #FosterCareAdvocacy
May is Foster Care Awareness Month đź’™, a time to learn how you can make a meaningful difference for youth experiencing foster care.
Join one of our upcoming CASA OC Information Sessions to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer. We make it convenient by offering both virtual Zoom sessions and in-person opportunities at our office.
Right now, over 280 children in Orange County are still waiting for a consistent, caring advocate. If volunteering isn’t possible at this time, you can still support our mission by sponsoring a pinwheel for as little as $10 and sharing this post. Every pinwheel helps raise awareness and support for youth in foster care.
Sign up here > /become-a-casa
OR
Sponsor a pinwheel > /pinwheel
ďż˝#CASAOC #FosterCareAwarenessMonth #BeTheDifference #VolunteerOC #PinwheelProject
Youth in foster care are disproportionately vulnerable to CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children), yet many people don’t realize how trauma, instability, and unmet needs can increase that risk.
This month, we’re sharing facts to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and help our community better understand the realities many youth face.
Awareness leads to understanding.
Understanding helps us respond with empathy, support, and action.
#CSECawareness #FosterCareAwarenessMonth #CASAOC #TraumaInformed #SupportYouth
A huge thank you to Kevani for helping amplify the mission of CASA OC through billboard visibility across our community đź’™
These billboards do more than raise awareness. They help us reach potential volunteers who can become consistent, caring advocates for youth experiencing foster care. With hundreds of children still waiting for a CASA, community partnerships like this truly make a difference.
Thank you, Kevani, for helping us spread the word and inspire more people to show up for youth in foster care.
Additional appreciation to Sheila Macken, of Bana Communications.
#CASAOC #CommunityPartnership #VolunteerRecruitment #FosterCareAdvocacy #BeTheDifference
Happy CASA Appreciation Day đź’™
Today, CASA OC leaders Erika Pedersen, Chief Development & Growth Officer, Todd Smith, CASA OC Board Member, and Jenny Leon, Chief Program Officer, are at the Capitol in Sacramento meeting with state officials to advocate for youth in foster care and the power of CASA volunteers.
We’re proud to celebrate the California State Legislature officially recognizing May 7, 2026, as CASA Appreciation Day and honoring the thousands of CASA volunteers across the state who ensure children in foster care are seen, heard, and supported.
Read more here: /casa-blog/california-state-legislature-recognizes-may-7-2026-as-court-appointed-special-advocates-casa-appreciation-day
