Empower Yolo has always prioritized the health and safety of children. The agency receives a Cal OES grant to fund the Youth Empowerment program, which provides advocacy and support to unserved/underserved youth who are victims of crime living in rural communities and foster youth. Through this grant Empower Yolo partners with Yolo County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) “Yolo CASA” whose advocates provide crucial support for children in foster care, ensuring they have a voice in navigating support systems. By collaborating with Yolo CASA advocates aim to expand efforts to support vulnerable youth in the community.
“We work with a very similar population which includes our county’s most vulnerable children and our most in-need families,” says Colleen Campbell, Program Director, Yolo County CASA. “We are able to serve this population with a joint approach, sharing resources and cross-referencing each other’s programs. Our specific program works to recruit and train community volunteers to support and advocate for the best interest of children in foster care. These advocates help give children a voice when they may not have one and work to get them connected to resources and supports to yield the best outcomes for their future, says Campbell.
The mission of Yolo CASA is to advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster system ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met through CASA volunteers. “Yolo CASA and Empower Yolo are both huge advocates for children. Both programs know the impact of trauma on children as well as the chance for resiliency when these children are connected to the right supports,” says Campbell.
The Youth Empowerment program is aimed at achieving several positive goals. It seeks to make a lasting investment in strengthening community connections, promoting social norms that protect against adversity, connecting youths with supportive adults, and positive activities, and enhancing social-emotional learning.
This program has extended victim services to rural areas including Knights Landing, Winters, and Esparto. Its objective is to locate affected youth, build trusting relationships, offer assistance with navigating systems, advocacy, and support to children who have been victims of abuse or are in foster care.
“Foster youth have the same needs as other kids, but struggle to get these needs met as most kids do. They need stability, support, and consistency, which often regularly occur in most children’s lives, but rarely occur in the lives of foster youth. Kids in this program have significantly higher ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores and increased trauma, therefore, higher rates of mental health concerns. Kids in our program often lack stability and consistent support. Our kids are often bounced from school to school causing them to fall behind and need additional support that can go unmet,” adds Campbell.
Empower Yolo’s Youth Empowerment program advocate is dedicated to supporting youths who are victims of crime and who reside in rural areas. Many are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and neglect. The program is making significant strides in supporting unserved/underserved youth victims of crime.
“The program is successfully enrolling a growing number of youth, meeting or exceeding initial targets. Services are being effectively delivered across intended rural areas though some regions may still need additional outreach efforts such as the smaller communities Empower Yolo serves such as Knights Landing and Winters,” says Jen Vasquez, Youth Advocate, Empower Yolo.
“By tailoring services to meet the specific needs of these children and their families, the program helps to ensure that all rural youth, including those from farmworker families, receive the support they need to thrive,” adds Vasquez.
Youths living in rural communities may experience different needs than other children. “Rural youth often face unique challenges and needs compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. These can impact their educational opportunities, social development, health, and overall well-being,” says Vasquez.
The Youth Empowerment program specifically targets unserved/underserved youth victims of crime, a group that often faces significant barriers to accessing support. By focusing on rural areas, the program addresses the unique challenges faced by youth in these regions, such as isolation, limited access to services, and transportation issues.
“It often involves community-based strategies that leverage local resources and networks to provide support. Services are tailored to be culturally sensitive and inclusive, ensuring that all youth, regardless of their background, receive appropriate support. These elements make the program a critical resource for unserved/underserved youth victims of crime, offering them the support and resources they need to heal, thrive, and build a better future,” says Vasquez.
Empower Yolo offers a range of services tailored to meet the needs of foster and rural youth, addressing their unique challenges and supporting their overall well-being. While specific services can vary according to the child, Empower Yolo services may include advocacy, legal support and court accompaniment, educational support, health and wellness services, basic needs (food and clothing) and emergency assistance, and family and community support. “By offering these services, Empower Yolo aims to provide comprehensive support that addresses the multifaceted needs of foster and rural youth, helping them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential,” says Vasquez.
The community can support these foster youth and rural youth crime victims in various ways. “The community can help by spreading the word about the needs of the program. We are always looking for volunteers to make a difference in a child’s life. Additionally, assisting through donating financially or spreading the word if they are not able to volunteer at this time,” says Campbell.
“The community can be supportive by raising awareness, volunteering, providing financial support, in-kind donations as well as through partnerships and collaborations,” says Vasquez.
Campbell and Vasquez offer insight into the importance of supporting these youths. “Most people in a foster child’s life are paid. Our volunteers are not and it often makes a huge difference to a child to know that this person chose to be in their life. Oftentimes, these relationships continue well into the future, long after the CASA role is over,” emphasizes Campbell.
“The Youth Empowerment program is not just a support system for youth victims of crime; it is a transformative initiative that addresses immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term positive outcomes. Its comprehensive, community-based approach ensures that youth receive the care and support necessary to heal, thrive, and contribute positively to society. Investing in such programs is essential for building safer, healthier, and more equitable communities,” says Vasquez
Empower Yolo has consistently placed the health and safety of children at the forefront. Through collaborations with agencies such as Yolo CASA and with community support, we can ensure the success of this program and continue to strengthen and expand our efforts to serve and empower the most vulnerable youths in our community.