We Are Proud Supporters Of The CASA Justice Jog 5K Run/Walk To Help Los Angeles Children In Foster Care
On Sunday, September 14, 2014 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. team members from Donahue & Horrow will be participating in the 7th Annual Justice Jog 5K Run/Walk in Century City to help raise critical funds for this important program for foster children.
We are pleased to announce our participation in a fun, family oriented fund raising event for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Los Angeles, a volunteer-based nonprofit that provides advocacy and support to children in foster care due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other family issues.
In Los Angeles County 28,000 children who have been abused or neglected are under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court. In 2013, 19,899 children were in foster care. The majority of these children will experience little or no consistent contact except with caregivers and advocates who are being paid to help them.
CASA helps fill in the emotional void by pairing caring, trained volunteers with children in the system. These kids benefit from supportive bonds formed with people who have chosen to become a part of their lives, rather than doing so because it is their job. Volunteers remain in contact with a child even if they move to a new foster home or living situation. This connection helps kids feel better about themselves, their lives, and builds self-esteem and a sense of worth.
About The Event
Produced by the Greater Los Angeles Association of Legal Administrators (GLA ALA), the event brings together the legal community, local businesses, community leaders, CASA advocates and supporters, and friends and family for a good cause. All proceeds benefit CASA of Los Angeles to improve the lives of foster children with trained volunteer advocates. The course will wind you through the streets of Century City on mostly flat surfaces. Water stations will be available on the course and a First Aid station will be available at the start\finish line. Mile markers will be placed along the race course. The event starts at ends in the Farmers’ Market Area at 1800 Avenue of the Stars.
CASA’s Mission
The mission of CASA of Los Angeles is to improve the lives of foster children with trained volunteer advocates. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of a foster child.
CASA seeks to reduce and reverse the effects of child abuse and neglect. Nowhere in the nation is the problem greater than in Los Angeles County, where 28,000 children who have been abused or neglected are under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court. One-third of these children are age 0-5; infants and toddlers are the fastest growing group of abused children. CASA will serve 6,000 children in FY2015, including 1,000 with intensive advocacy services.
To learn more about CASA, please visit:
CASA Los Angeles (https://www.casala.org/casa-of-los-angeles) – With one of the largest foster care populations in the country, L.A. County is in need of individuals willing to make a difference in the lives of its most needy children. CASA of Los Angeles actively recruits, screens and trains volunteers to advocate on behalf of foster children. With additional funding, CASA can continue to expand its resources and support even more CASA volunteers making a difference.
National CASA (www.casaforchildren.org) – The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association’s website lists CASA programs throughout the country that screen and train community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in court.
Los Angeles Superior Court’s Juvenile Court (https://www.lacourt.org/division/juvenile/juvenile.aspx) – The Los Angeles Juvenile Court’s website provides information about CASA of Los Angeles, the Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, and other support programs for children in foster care in L.A. County.
To report child abuse, neglect or abandonment contact the Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline at 1-800-540-4000.