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Would you like to support Muslim foster children, but not quite ready to foster? There are many ways you can advocate and volunteer to support Muslim foster children.

 

Advocate

A CASA (court-appointed special advocate) is a screened and trained volunteer appointed by a judge from the juvenile court to gather information, write reports, and make recommendations to the court that are in the best interest of the children. A CASA volunteer meets regularly with the children assigned to him or her and makes sure they don’t get lost or neglected in an overburdened foster care system. Usually assigned to one child or sibling group, a CASA commits to watching over a case until it is closed. For many foster children, a CASA may be the only consistent and dependable adult presence in their life.

CASA volunteers can expect to spend 10-15 hours a month gathering information and meeting with the child, lawyers, social workers, and teachers. The CASA prepares a formal report for the judge at each court hearing and presents recommendations. To become a CASA, volunteers must complete application forms, background checks, and an interview. The training includes 20 hours of instruction and courtroom observation, followed by a formal swearing-in.

CASAs are also known as guardian ad litem in some jurisdictions. To find out more about the CASA program and to locate a program in your vicinity, visit the national CASA website.

Resources for Foster Agencies

Mentor

MFCA Mentors provide the Muslim foster youth with a stable and long-lasting connection to the community. Their role is to help the mentee thrive and prosper, navigate the foster care system as well as life in general, and help them transition into a contributing member of their larger community. Mentors are of the same gender as the child and commit to meeting with the mentee at least twice a month for a year (in person and virtual if required). You should be at least 21 years of age.
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Tutor

Refugee children are in need of tutoring in English language and require extra assistance to orient themselves to a completely new system of schooling. Domestic foster children are often behind in school, having lacked the support and stability necessary for academic success. Many foster children have learning disabilities and/or anxiety when it comes to performing in school. These challenges are often too much for foster parents to handle on their own.

Volunteer tutors can be of great service to foster children by offering academic assistance and mentorship. When children are allowed to succeed in school, it starts a cycle of success that builds confidence and reinforces good habits. MFCA connects volunteer tutors with local foster families in need of their services. Interested in becoming a tutor?

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Volunteer

MFCA regularly organizes programs and events to serve local foster children, both domestic and refugee. These include welcome packages for new foster children, Ramadan and Eid gifts, delivery of iftar meals, clothing drives, and support groups. We need volunteers who have a driving license, a vehicle of their own, and consent to being background checked.

To volunteer with MFCA, be sure to join and like our Facebook page and fill out the contact form for volunteers.

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Support Local Family

A foster family has a mountain of newly acquired responsibilities, including transporting child/ren to parental visits, mental health and doctor appointments, financial support, and balancing fostering with the demands of family and work. Very few foster parents can do all of this alone; support people play an important role in the success of the foster placement.

In order to be licensed, foster parents must list support people who are willing to undergo background checks and provide back-up care and help. A support person can help with transportation, babysitting, and other logistics. Moreover, he or she can be an important source of moral support for both the foster parent and the foster child. The most successful foster families have a network of individuals supporting them and helping them provide the highest level of care for the foster child.