2016 Annual ReportAnniversary Celebration

th

“Education is a key

component to help

foster children succeed

in life. Neither one of

my parents graduated

from high school but

they instilled in me the

importance of obtaining

a good education. I feel

very blessed to support

Child Advocates and

know that my gifts help

transform children’s lives.”

– Marjorie Mancuso, Donor since 1989

MissionTo provide stability and hope to children who have experienced abuse and neglect by being a powerful voice in their lives.

VisionEvery child has a positive view of the future and the opportunity to become a productive, healthy adult.

PurposeTo recruit, train and support Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) who are matched with foster children to provide critical emotional and educational support, ensuring that each child’s needs are met and their voice is heard while navigating the court dependency system.

This year’s annual report celebrates our 30th anniversary of transforming foster children’s lives by providing a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Since 1986, we have recruited, trained and supported more than 10,000 volunteers who have served more than 16,000 children in the Santa Clara County dependency system. During this time, Child Advocates of Silicon Valley has grown into one of the largest CASA organizations in the country.

Positive Results 2016 marked the third year of our five-year strategic plan to provide a CASA for approximately 1,000 foster children living in Santa Clara County. In fiscal year 2016, we served 783 children, a 6.5% increase over FY15. We reached our goal with the tremendous dedication of our 595 CASA volunteers.

Serving More Children We are supporting our ever growing volunteer base by continuing to expand our CASA Mentor model where experienced CASA volunteers provide guidance and coaching to fellow CASAs. This model enables us to serve more children while managing our expenses. We’re also maximizing our use of office volunteers and interns from Palo Alto University who help us meet our case assessment needs while gaining valuable work experience.

Positive Impact We know CASAs matter to foster children and provide valuable insight into dependency cases. Through diligent observation and engagement with the child, CASAs write thorough court reports and make critical recommendations that give Juvenile Court judges an inside, balanced look at their CASA child’s situation. Many of the decisions judges make concerning a child’s welfare, placement, therapies, and services are based on these CASA reports. Just as importantly, our CASAs are friends and mentors to their foster youth, awakening potential in the children they serve.

You Make a Difference Everyone needs someone on their side, a guiding hand to help them navigate life’s ups and downs. Your ongoing support and commitment to our agency helps make this happen. Your donations help us continue to recruit, train and support volunteers who are consistent, caring adults for our community’s most vulnerable children. Thank you for helping us make a lasting difference in these children’s lives.

With gratitude,

Mala Jairam Karen Scussel Chair, Board of Directors Executive Director

Dear Friend,

Celebrating 30 years

of creating better

outcomes for foster children.

I first met Karen when she was a high school senior living in a foster home with three other teenage girls. Within a short time, I became aware of Karen’s uniqueness. She is ambitious, intelligent, hardworking, fun loving and, given her situation, well adjusted. She is the type of person who leaves a lasting first impression, and her eager receptiveness has made for a delightful rewarding relationship.

All children need support systems. Even though children in foster care have attorneys, foster parents, social workers and therapists, a CASA brings real heart into a child’s life by focusing on that child individually. We are with that child by choice because we really care and want to make a difference as they navigate through a difficult time in their life.

Karen is a very accomplished young woman. She won

a scholarship through her high school and earned an award for being proficient in Spanish. She served as class secretary and captain of the tennis team, and, she did all of this while taking IB level classes.

While Karen is a high achiever, the stresses of adult life can be overwhelming. It is my goal to support Karen emotionally. She sometimes likes to talk through things, so I listen and encourage her when she faces challenges. It has been a pleasure to watch her confidence grow in preparation for her sophomore year at UC Santa Cruz.

On Being Karen’s CASA

“Karen is such as sweet, genuine person. She’s a joy to be around and I love being with her. She’s the real deal.”

ApproachStrength Based. Child Centered. Asset Building.

GayleneCASA Volunteer and Donor

“I volunteer and

support Child

Advocates because

I want to make a

difference in a child’s

life. As a CASA, I’ve

seen for myself the

incredible impact the

organization has on

foster children’s lives.”

– Gaylene Austin

The CASA program has been the most beneficial service I’ve had since I entered the foster care system at age 15.

For me, it’s not that I needed a CASA to guide me and teach me what’s right and what’s wrong. I always had a set mentality to keep on the right track. My goal was to attend a university, but when you strive for big goals, it can be a bumpy and emotional road because it takes a lot of hard work.

It was very, very difficult my senior year in high school. I was dealing with a different foster home setting, managing all the paperwork to apply to universities and get scholarships, while juggling school work. It was very stressful – like I said, it’s a bumpy road. But the person who was always there for me no matter what was Gaylene, my CASA.

I also believe that it’s the little things that people do that help you grow. Gaylene helped me learn how to drive, open a checking account, make a budget and shop for food –and trust her when she says there’s a right way to shop for food. Gaylene also exposed me to various ethnic foods when we would go out.

Most importantly, I know I can call Gaylene when I need someone to talk to and sort out my feelings. Gaylene always has an open door for me. It’s very comforting. Everybody should have their go-to person. Gaylene is that person for me.

Scholarship Winner Last spring, Karen received a $10,000 scholarship from Child Advocates to help her pursue her dream to study Critical Ethnic Studies and Psychology at UC Santa Cruz.

“Winning the scholarship money from Child Advocates makes me feel really happy and grateful. It’s nice to have that big financial burden off my shoulders.”

KarenUC Santa Cruz student

“My CASA Gaylene is my backbone. Whenever

I am stressed, Gaylene helps keep me calm.

She is the most caring person I have ever met.”

Impact The power of a caring adult.

Strength Based. Child Centered. Asset Building.

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016

REVENUE $1,689,713EXPENSES $1,674,276

OPERATING INCOME $ 15,436

NET ASSETS FOR FY16: $2,315,368

FROM OUR CASAs: • 95% felt they made a positive difference in their child’s life• 66% saw an improvement in their child’s success at school • 90% felt their court recommendations were fully considered by the judge presiding over their child’s case• 99% recommend the volunteer experience to others

More than 81 cents out of every dollar donated goes to

services that directly support the advocacy of foster children in Santa Clara County.

Ages of Children Served

6-10 years 32%

11-14 years 22%

15-17 years 18%

18+ years 15%

0-5 years 13%

Ethnicity of Children Served

Bi-Racial14%

AsianAmerican

4%

American Indian/Other

1%

Caucasian11%

Latino62%

AfricanAmerican

8%

Volunteer Hours

ACTIVE CASA VOLUNTEERS

TOTAL CHILDREN SERVED 65% of CASA 3 to 5 year olds are enrolled in preschool compared to 35% of all foster children in Santa Clara County.

79% of our high school seniors completed their high school requirements compared to less than 50% of foster children nationwide.

Sources of Funds

Government11%

Foundations16%

Community 8%

Individuals19%

Events33%

Corporations13%

64,800 hours valued at $1,816,305

Office: Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 509 Valley Way Bldg. 2, Milpitas, CA 95035 / Tel 408.416.0400www.BeMyAdvocate.org • info@cadvocates.org • Tax ID No. 77-0250773

This list reflects donors who generously gave during FY 2016 (July 1, 2015 — June 30, 2016).If you find an error please accept our apologies and contact the Development Office so we can correct our records.

$50,000 +Judicial Council of CaliforniaQuest FoundationSanta Clara County Social Services AgencySharks FoundationSobrato Family FoundationThe David & Lucile Packard FoundationThe Sleep Train, Inc.Warmenhoven Family Foundation$20,000 - $49,999100 Women Charitable FoundationPenny and Ron BlakeLiz and Mike ByrdCisco Systems FoundationDavid B. Gold FoundationHurlbut-Johnson Charitable TrustsLeo M. Shortino Family FoundationMarjorie MancusoMay and Stanley Smith Charitable TrustMyra Reinhard Family FoundationSanDisk CorporationKaren Scussel and Curt RiffleLisa and Matthew SonsiniSuperior Court of Santa Clara CountyThe Family Giving TreeThrive Foundation for YouthTicket to Dream FoundationWalters and Wolf $10,000 - $19,999Air Systems, Inc. AnonymousAppleGaylene and Richard AustinCity of Mountain ViewLaura and Max DuganneeBayMargie and The Hon. Leonard EdwardsKevin Gardner and Paul MorrellChris and Steve GomoIn-N-Out Burger FoundationKappa Alpha Theta, Stanford ChapterKLA TencorLos Altos Town CrierMission City Community FundJane Oglesby and Cameron EsfahaniPalo Alto UniversityProject Linus-San JoseQualcommStella B. Gross Charitable TrustDonald Van NortwickWestern Digital$5,000 - $9,999AnonymousAVT ProductionsLinda and Sean BrennanSidney BrittonCity of MilpitasDebbie and Chris CrouseTraci and Nitin GanatraGoogleInteroAnu Jain and Naveen JainMala Jairam and Bask IyerSonia Jones

Lockheed Martin Employees’ FoundationRoben and Dave MartinMaxim Integrated ProductsJennifer and Scott MillerMorton & Associates, Inc. Cindy and Michael O’LearyMaren and James OtienoVilma Kennedy PallettePalo Alto Medical FoundationPalo Alto Rotary Annual Charities, Inc.Carrie and Greg PennerChristy and Jeff RichardsonMarilyn and Marc RogersSaint Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchSidney Stern Memorial TrustSue and Howard SlayenSouth Bay Regional Public Safety Training ConsortiumDana and William StarlingTurning Wheels For KidsSuzanne and Thomas WernerKathleen WhiteSara Wigh and Jim McManisShannon and Daniel WinterKari WolffWoman’s Club of Palo Alto$2,500 - $4,999Avnet, Inc.Michelle and Manish BhatiaShelley and Steve BrownBurr, Pilger & Mayer, LLPShirley and Richard CantuAngela and Chuck CarterStacy CastleLisa and Gary ClarkLeslie Whitney and Joe CousinsDee and James CunninghamShahram EsfahaniPenny and Peter EwingFoothills Congregational ChurchKwok Wah Lau and Jon GouldenElaine HealJudith HenkeIntel CorporationJunior League of San JoseNikki and The Hon. Donald B. KingHelene and Peter KoenigLocal Independent CharitiesLos Altos Community FoundationConnie and Bob LurieBecky Manchester Aidlberg and Gil AidlbergMarkkula FoundationAnn and Steve McCrayMicron Technology Foundation, Inc.Tashia and John MorgridgeKathy and Andrew MunkChristine and Shaun PagePayPal Raul PeralezDenise and Tom RobinsonSan Jose Water CompanyHerta SchreinerSeagate TechnologySilicon Valley Community FoundationSpringwood Apartments

Susan and Corey StickMichelle Swenson and Stan DrobacThe Morrison & Foerster FoundationThomas Fallon Photography Lorena TorresU.S. Bancorp VMwareErica WangClaudia Rodriguez and Greg WarderWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Foundation$1,000 - $2,499Colleen and Mark AbleFeras AlhlouVicki Amon-Higa and Peter HigaJohn AndrewsBright Funds FoundationAnonymousMary and Daniel AtlerShiloh BallardSheila and Keith BayleyManu and Christopher BediDorothy and Roy BillingsJulia and Bruce BlackVirginia and Mike BowmanChantelle and Andrew BreithauptPatrick BrockettRyan BrodyCarmel Honey CompanyCatered Too!Mary and Anthony CefaluNana and Brian ChancellorLisa and Barry CheskinJennifer and Andrew ClarkeDana and Frank ClohanMichelle CoddingRobin Cole and Richard KubotaGary ColemanJennifer Copaken-Yellin and Todd YellinKathy and Carl DavidsonDisneyland Resort Liz DodsonRobert DoeringAnna Durante and Jerremy HollandJoan and Alan EarhartNanci EksterowiczMinji and David EnemarkFarrington Historical FoundationJanie and Chuck AdamsRenee FiorilloLaura and Eric FuldaRebecca and Arnnon GeshuriLinda and Bill GianniniMichele GoinsMary Beth Long and David GrunbaumAnne and Lawrence HamblyPaul HammondKathleen Hanson and Steve GeishekerAnne and Scott HerzFlora and Steven HoffmanIntegrated Device Technology, Inc.Jdc TrustClaire and Larry JinksEmma KellyKiwanis Club of Mountain View

Karen and David KrallShilpa and Sanjay KshetramadeLadera/Alpine Men’s TennisLeiro ElectricKaren Leonard and Cheryl LanderTracy and Scott LewisJean and Richard L’HeureuxLos Altos Rotary Endowment FundLTF AdventuresChristina MaddenNora and Steve ManchesterPhyllis and Wade MeyercordMichael and Ina Korek Foundation TrustMission College Hospitality ManagementPaulina and Peter MonacoGladys Monroy and Larry MarksMorgan StanleyGordon MuellerCarol and Ed NeumannRuth and David NormanNorth Weber & Baugh, LLPOakland A’sDuncan O’BrienPeggy O’LaughlinAnn and Bud OliverGreg PinnKathy and Steve PolzinGina Saldanha and Sridhar RamanathanMary ReillyPatricia and John RichardsonMaureen and Satish RishiHubert RobertsRotary Club of Los Gatos Linda RoyMoe RubenzahlCindy and Allen RubySuna SaidSanta Clara County Federal Credit UnionEric SchumacherLisa ScotchPoonam and Mahesh ShahSharks IceSteven ShawLinda ShawColleen SmithTracy Yosten and Matt SuchermanSumma Peto FoundationThe Chambers Family FoundationWendy Millet and Rob TriceKrista Van LaanShari Van LooRenee and Anthony VoltaggioKate and Brian WatsonBob WeismanWells Fargo CommunityJumiana and Jan-Yu WengJudy and J. David WilliamsLisa and Art WilliamsWilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLPGloria Young$500 - $999Midori and Paul AdamsAdobe SystemsMary and Don AldenAlmaden Country Club

Almaden Valley Women’s ClubAnonymousJuliette and Anthony ApplewhiteApplied Materials Aventi Group, LLCBarry Swenson BuilderJudy and Dean BarteeStephanie and Camilo BecerraPatricia BennettChristine BenningerLisa BertelsonBlackRock Louise and Steve BubaloMatthias BuchnerDana and Larry BurnsSabina and Ron BurnsLinda Levine and David BuseckLinda ByrdLinda and Jack CallonJon CassinLauren CastleArlene Chan and Robert GeeIris ChenAnn and Sheffield ClarkeConcannon VineyardsChristina and James CourtneySuzanne CristalloDiane DaegeleHelen DannaAnne and Steve DeckerNicole DorsaDeborah EdgintonDaniel ElaEwing-Foley, Inc.Fairfield Inn Robert FeldmanJudith and William FernandezJoyce Ann and Robert FilpiForbes Mill SteakhouseConnie and Harvey FoxJean and Bill FriedrichsRobert GardnerRebecca GuerraLinda and Ron HammernessClaire HayesStephanie HenriksonCecile and Emmanuel HernandezJane HiattLori and Dane HowardJean HoweHsinLu Hsu and John ThrallTania HyattAlyson and Jim IllichSarah IngberMary and Vijay IsraniJ. Lohr Vineyards and WinesMarsha JonesConnie and Eric JorgensenAndy KimballKiwanis Club of Los Altos FoundationMr. Kenneth KrantzJulie and Nicola La GloriaLa Rinconada Country ClubChrystal Lara-SteeleLettermen’s Athletic and Social ClubIneke and Allart LigtenbergR.J. and Chris Ligtenberg

Robin Lin and Michael HalleckCarol and Ron LindsayRigena Ljubojevic and Dave SciortinoLucy LofrumentoClaudia LohnesJan LooneyLing LuSheila MacLeanFatima MagallanePiyush MangalickMichael MillerBradley MillikenRuth MohanramDr. Ronald NakanoBassi and Sami NassarBrenda NavarreteGrace Navarro and Ed TicoulatHolly Myers and Kirk NeelyCarla and Dan NeumannPhyllis and Neil NewmanSuong Nguyen and Paul BatyThomas NicodemoNMX Global SoftwareEmily and Michael NorthNotre Dame San JoseMarie Oh HuberKevin O’LearyPalo Alto Hills Golf and Country ClubEvan ParkerPeck Road Gravel Pit S.L.S. & N., Inc.Kimberly and David PomeroySusan and Bill PrescottLori PrinceNathaniel QuillinWendy RiggsRobert Half International, Inc.Karen and Steve RossSan Jose Junction TeamSan Jose EarthquakesSand Hill Global AdvisorsSanta Clara Valley Hockey AssociationSanta Clara MarriottSilver Creek Valley Country ClubY. SimonSkanksa, Shimmick, Herzog Joint VentureSheri and Brian SmarttSouthwest AirlinesJulie and Mitch StermerSteve Bubalo Construction CompanyElaine Sulzberger and David OppenheimerElizabeth Szymanowski and Jerry PannoneTahoe Donner AssociationMichael TamaroThe Creighton Family Charitable FundBarbara and Jack TooleyPam and Steve TrederTruist CreditVarian Medical SystemsJanet Brownstone and Andrew VerhalenJudy and Chuck WaggonerWente VineyardsTina White

Thank you to our donors who make hope a reality for the children we serve.

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits509 Valley Way Bldg. 2Milpitas, CA 95035

NON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 1064

SAN JOSE, CA

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Photography Credit: Heidi Eder, rightbrainforhire.me Design Credit: Jody Yarborough

Executive DirectorKaren Scussel

Board of DirectorsChair

Mala Jairam

Vice ChairKate Watson

TreasurerHoward Slayen

SecretaryDenise Robinson

Board Members

Michelle Bhatia

Penny Blake

Linda Brennan

Debbie Crouse

Lisa Clark

Laura Duganne

David Enemark

Becky Manchester Aidlberg

Jane Oglesby

Michael O’Leary

Moe Rubenzahl

Herta Schreiner

Greg Warder

Dan Winter

"My CASA, Lisa, is one of the most important people in my life. She is there for me when I need help with school or just have questions about life. Lisa makes sure I am comfortable with my surroundings, my foster placements and school. I appreciate all the wonderful things she has done for me - it is because of her I am in a good place in life" — Dan, age 17