,

Meeting the Moment: Sustaining Advocacy for Foster Care Youth in Prince George’s County

photo of Executive Director, Yolanda Johnson

It remains an honor to serve as the Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/ Prince George’s County for the past two years. Thanks to all of you for being champions for CASA.

The impact of CASA/Prince George’s County is driven by the unwavering dedication of our volunteers to child advocacy. We currently have 132 volunteer advocates serving 142 youth. This represents approximately 40% of the total youth currently in care within the county. These compassionate volunteers juggle full-time jobs, families, and other responsibilities while selflessly providing a consistent, caring adult voice for young people navigating the complexities of out-of-home placement.

We proudly celebrate the one-year anniversary of our Thrive program, a groundbreaking initiative providing guaranteed income to former foster youth, offering a vital foundation for their independence and stability during their transition to adulthood. Through Thrive and our Fostering Opportunities Fund, we have distributed over half a million dollars to current and former foster youth. Read Julia’s story here: Spotlight: Julia – Strengthening Family Foundations Through Guaranteed Income — Greater Washington Community Foundation

We currently find ourselves in a moment shaped by significant shifts and an evolving landscape. For example, the Department of Justice recently terminated over 300 grant awards to include an award to the National CASA Association. The termination of this award has directly hindered our ability to access a specific grant that would have assisted us with sustaining resources and serving more children who urgently need an advocate. More about the grant termination and call to action: 📢 Network News: April 23, 2025 – Immediate Network Announcement.

While these changes present considerable challenges, they also highlight the urgency and importance of our mission. If you are seeking a meaningful way to get involved during this time, please consider  supporting our efforts to provide advocacy and resources to youth in foster care through:

  • Making a Donation or Starting a Fundraiser: Every contribution, regardless of size, directly empowers us to continue providing essential advocacy, continue to offer resources, and work towards serving more youth.
  • Becoming a Volunteer Advocate: If you have a few hours each month, we invite you to join our outstanding pool of volunteers through this link:  PG Casa – Change a Child’s Story
  • Spreading the Word: Raising awareness in our community about CASA and the critical needs of youth in foster care helps us connect with more potential volunteers and donors, enabling us to amplify our impact.

Your belief in our mission and your willingness to take action, whether through financial support, volunteering your time, or simply amplifying our message, are equally invaluable.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to CASA/Prince George’s County.

With gratitude,
Yolanda Johnson
Executive Director, CASA/Prince George’s County

/by

About us

Change a Child’s Story

Children in foster care who have aCASA volunteer are more likely to succeed in school and adjust to change. And they’re half as likely to re-enter the foster care system later. By getting involved with CASA, you can make all the difference for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect in you community. Get involved, and change a child’s story.

Contact

Phone : (301) 209-0491
Email: staff@pgcasa.org

Address

6811 Kenilworth Avenue
Suite 402 Riverdale,
MD 20737
United States

© Copyright 2025 - PG CASA Prince George's County
CASA Welcomes New Board Chair John Greene and Executive Committee; Celebrates...