Voices for Children, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth in foster care, has issued an urgent call for volunteers in the Coachella Valley. As of November 25, 2025, eleven local children are waiting to be matched with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)—a trained volunteer who speaks up for their needs in court, school, medical settings, and beyond.
CASA volunteers play a vital role in the lives of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. With over 6,000 children expected to enter foster care in Riverside County this year, the need for consistent adult advocates is more pressing than ever.
Since 2015, Voices for Children has served thousands of children in Riverside County, including 730 youth in the last fiscal year alone. CASAs provide one-on-one advocacy, monitor the child’s circumstances, and submit court reports that help judges make informed decisions about the child’s future.
“If you are looking for a way to make an immediate impact and give back to your community right now, I cannot think of a better way to do so than by becoming a CASA volunteer,” said Jessica Muñoz, Esq., MFS, President & CEO of Voices for Children. “Our incredible volunteers have made a major difference for local children right here in our community, just by showing up as they are, listening to them, and being a consistent adult presence in their lives.”
Palm Springs resident Dana Torrey, a current CASA volunteer, shared her experience: “You don’t have to have any previous experience with the legal system, or even working with children. I find it so easy to spend at least 10 hours per month meeting with my case child, getting to know them, taking them on fun activities, attending meetings on their behalf, and filling out court reports that help judges make the best choices for their future.”
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer and making a lasting impact in a child’s life, visit speakupnow.org. To find the next volunteer information session in your area, be sure to select “Riverside County” after visiting the site.