Our new partnership: YES Reading has formed a new partnership this year. We are training volunteers who work with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley (also referred to as CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates) to use our curriculum with the children they serve. CASA’s mission is to provide stability and hope to abused children in the foster care system. Trained volunteers (Advocates) are matched with a child and ensure that their needs and best interests are met. Volunteers are court-appointed, meaning they can thoroughly research every aspect of a child’s case, including meeting teachers, social workers and foster parents. In addition to representing children in court, Advocates serve as friends and mentors.
How it all began: The way in which our partnership evolved was the result of a few overlaps. First, CASA and YES Reading’s home office both reside in the Sobrato Center for Nonprofits in Milpitas. Second, a few of our YES Reading tutors are also Advocates and helped us to envision a partnership where YES Reading would working together with the children and volunteers of CASA.
So how does this work? Advocates interested in integrating literacy into the time spent with their child sign up for a YES Reading training. Their child is then assessed in reading by a YES Reading staff person. After analyzing their child’s literacy needs, the advocate is given a month’s worth of YES Reading curriculum to use on their own time. YES Reading staff regularly check in with the Advocate to ensure that they are successfully utilizing the YES Reading curriculum.
We look forward to reaching even more children and volunteers in the South Bay Area though this new relationship!
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