2025 Emergency Funding Appeal
Every day in Maryland, children enter the foster care system through no fault of their own. These children face overwhelming challenges navigating complex legal and social service systems - often without a consistent adult to speak up for their best interests.
Maryland CASA Association exists to change this reality. We train and support Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who become the voice for these children, ensuring their needs are heard and met. Last year alone, our courts heard over 1,900 court reports for approximately 1,400 children across Maryland, making sure they had safe homes, proper medical care, appropriate educational support, and the chance to just be kids.
Today, I am reaching out because this vital work is at risk. Recent executive orders and political shifts have created serious uncertainty around the state and federal grant funding that traditionally supports our mission. This potential funding crisis threatens our ability to recruit, train, and support the volunteers who advocate for Maryland's most vulnerable children.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Research shows that children with CASA volunteers:
√ Spend less time in foster care
√ Perform better in school
√ Are more likely to find a safe, permanent home
√ Are less likely to re-enter the foster care system
We are seeking emergency support from community members like you who understand the importance of giving every child a voice. Your donation will help us continue this essential work during this uncertain time by:
√ Recruiting and training new CASA volunteers to serve more children
√ Providing ongoing support and educational resources to current volunteers
√ Essential oversight and assistance to our local affiliated programs, across the state of Maryland
Would you consider making an immediate donation of $100 or more to help us? Each donation makes a difference. Every donation ensures the fiscal stability of Maryland CASA and helps give a child in foster care their own voice.
Every child deserves a caring adult who will speak up for their best interests. Will you help us ensure Maryland's foster children keep their voices during this critical time?
To donate, please select an amount and enter your information below. You can learn more about Maryland CASA at www.marylandcasa.org.
Thank you for considering this urgent request. If you would like to learn more about our work or discuss other ways to support Maryland's foster children, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Laura A. Edwards, State Director