Non-Profit's Challenge: FLEX Your Muscle for Foster Youth

Press release from CASA of Union County:

May 19, 2021

Elizabeth, NJ (May 19, 2021) — In celebration of May’s Foster Care Awareness month, CASA of Union County is asking the community to ‘FLEX’ its muscle. The organization is the only nonprofit in the county that advocates for youth placed in foster care through no fault of their own.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the needs of abused and neglected Union County youth removed from home and living in foster care as well as to raise funds that help the organization continue to recruit, train, support and supervise community volunteers to protect the best interests of foster youth in the courtroom, classroom and beyond. The organization’s goal is to raise $10,000.

Despite the challenges of lost funding and canceled in-person fundraisers due to the pandemic, says Executive Director Mariel S. Hufnagel, the organization remains steadfast in its work for local child-victims. “Now more than ever, as the ripple effects of COVID-19 continue, foster youth need continued stability. They need their CASA volunteer. They need to see that same face, hear that same voice, feel the stability and experience the continuity of a connection that, for many, hasn’t previously been part of their lives. To do that, we’re seeking to make up pandemic-related losses by asking folks to show us their muscle and ‘FLEX for foster care.’ ”

That muscle, adds Hufnagel, is two-fold: ‘FLEX’ your money muscle by making a donation at
www.casaofunioncounty.org, and spread awareness by snapping a photo as you ‘FLEX’ your muscle for local foster youth and email it to intern@casaofunioncounty.org for inclusion on CASA’s website and social media. Every donation helps enables the nonprofit to train more volunteers and reach more youth. The acronym ‘FLEX’ is a nod to the campaign’s focus on Fundraising because every foster youth deserves Love, Empathy and eXcellent advocacy.

Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello is among those who jumped at the photo challenge, not only posting his FLEX to social media but challenging every other Union County mayor to join him. A social media toolkit is available on CASA of Union County’s website under Events and includes photos, captions, access to a Facebook profile frame and more.

For details on the organization, Union County youth in foster care, the advocate experience and upcoming information and training sessions, email info@casaofunioncounty.org.

This press release was produced by the CASA of Union County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.