CASA - VOICES FOR CHILDREN
Benton & Lincoln Counties, Oregon
(541) 753-5838 • (541) 265-3116
CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month!
CASA-VFC AND OUR COMMUNITY:
COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Across our community, there are parents and caregivers working hard to care for their children while managing the everyday pressures of life—whether that’s juggling multiple jobs, facing financial uncertainty, struggling with mental health challenges or substance use disorders, or simply trying to stay afloat during difficult times.
Stress in its many forms can be a contributing factor to child abuse and neglect. At CASA – Voices for Children, we see this in the lives of the children and families we serve. While stress is a natural part of parenting, when compounded by worries about finances, health, employment, or relationships, it can become overwhelming.
There is never an excuse for abuse or neglect—but if we want to prevent it and help families thrive, we must recognize and address the underlying challenges that can lead to it. So, what can you do to help? There are simple, powerful ways to support families in your community—and even small acts of care and connection can make a big difference.
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Attend CASA-VFC's Dance Through the Decades event at Corvallis Odd Fellows Hall on the evening of April 26th. This fun-filled night of dinner and dancing will help increase awareness of child abuse in Benton and Lincoln Counties, and raise funds to provide CASA volunteers, tutoring, and other supportive services for local children who have experienced abuse or neglect. You can also get a discount on Dance Through The Decades tickets by participating in our Blue Drink Passport event (details below)!
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Pick up a Blue Drink Passport at the CASA office or one of our partnering businesses - enjoy a special Blue Drink at each establishment and fill out your Passport to be entered to win fun prizes, all while spreading awareness of child abuse in our community. For each initial/stamp, you get an entry into the raffle. E-mail a photo of your Passport (completed or in progress) to development@casa-vfc.org, and we'll also send you a special discount code for Dance Through The Decades tickets!
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Go searching for the CASA Gnomes! During April, CASA Gnomes will live in downtown stores and businesses while they are looking for their forever home. Will they be lucky and come home with you? They each have a unique story and special powers. Check our Homes for Gnomes page for more details to come!
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Join Kappa Alpha Theta for one of their exciting philanthropy events! For over three decades, Kappa Alpha Theta has partnered with National CASA and its state and local programs to give a voice to children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Oregon State’s Beta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta raises money for CASA every April by putting on the “Theta Ironbrawl”. Visit our Theta Philanthropy Events page to learn more about how you can participate!
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If you know a family who is struggling, you can offer to help connect them to local community resources for assistance.
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Your time and conversation can be incredibly valuable to a new or stressed parent – especially now as we’re limiting our contact with others. You don’t need to be physically near someone in order to be a listening ear and friend! This simple act can help a caregiver reduce their own stress by being able to talk out their feelings. Furthermore, if you have experience with raising a child, you can offer to share your advice and act as a resource for them. Let them know they can turn to you as someone with shared experience when they have moments of uncertainty or anxiety. Even if you don’t personally have experience with raising a child, you can still listen. You can also connect them with the National Parent & Youth Helpline, or introduce them to someone you know who may be able to give them advice.
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Make a donation to CASA-VFC, or attend one of our dine-outs or fundraisers, where local businesses will donate a percentage of your purchases to CASA-VFC at no cost to you!
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Connect and engage with us on Facebook and Instagram! We will be posting helpful content relating to child abuse, neglect, and how our community can come together to protect our children.
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Tell 3 people you know about our organization! With over 5,000 children and youth in foster care throughout our state, we are in dire need of more child advocates. Please direct friends, family members, and co-workers here to learn more about how they can get involved.
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Consider becoming a CASA volunteer! CASAs, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and specially trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a difficult time in their life. Now is the perfect time to become a CASA!
As friends and neighbors, we can work to build support systems around families, making sure they know they are not in this alone and their community is behind them. CASA-VFC asks the people of Benton and Lincoln Counties to show your support for vulnerable families in our area. Show them that we have a community that is on their side, and that is willing and ready to support them in any way they need.
This April, please join us in spreading awareness and providing advocacy to ensure that all of our children are safe, supported, and loved.
Every child deserves a safe home.
If you suspect a child is being abused, report to an ODHS Child Welfare screener by contacting
1-855-503-SAFE (7233).
If a child is in danger or being hurt, call 911 immediately.