Child Advocates Of Silicon Valley Inc
8 reviews total. Average rating:
User Reviews
I am a child advocate in the newly funded Family Wellness Court. This is a court for children 0-3 years of age and their families. It is a collaborative team effort bringing together agencies within the community to support the child and the family in their recovery from addiction. Services are available from Mental Health, Public Health, Social Services, Drug and Alcohol and the Court. All these services are available in a positive and supportive environment to assist the families in their efforts to build a healthy family.
The Great!
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... working with the families in building a healthier life.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... energetic, caring and supportive.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... recruiting advocates to serve all the children in need.
- One thing I'd also say is that... the training to become a volunteer and the ongoing training is excellent.
I was a Volunteer & I work with teenagers in the foster care system, giving them time and attention and a voice.
Post public compliment
I have been working with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley for 2 years. I've been assigned multiple cases working with teenagers in the foster care system. I am not formally trained in social work of any kind. Therefore, I use my resources at Child Advocates for help in all situations. My supervisors have been my best resource. I don't think I could be successful with them.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... how they have trained and encouraged me.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... working with my assigned supervisor.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... kind, caring, helpful and committed.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... possibly save the world! I think they'd offer services to every child in the county including the neighboring counties.
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... there was more Advocate training. Thirty hours of training just doesn't seem like enough when it comes to working with children, foster families and the social system.
- If I ran this organization, I would... be scared out of my mind. The scope of the work that is done at this program is HUGE! But, seriously, I'd probably ask my supervisor, Ernie Tabasa, what we should do.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... a lack of Advocates for the children. They need more marketing money and probably a better strategy. Although, their marketing has improved since I've been there.
- One thing I'd also say is that... when deciding on where to volunteer your time, make sure you do something you can go home with a good feeling about.
Child Advocates provides and supports a valuable and needed service to Foster Care children of all ages. They require (provided) substantial initial and ongoing training regarding what experiences you will encounter, what agencies, in addition to themselves, provide support (and of what kind). They provide counseling on immediate problem situations, tickets to events kids will enjoy, school supplies, Xmas gifts, and numerous other small, but needed, assistances.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... reduced delinquency in teenagers.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... seeing an improvement in the child's behavior and developing a positive relationship with him.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... uniformly understanding and supportive.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... 1. secure more advocate volunteers and 2. provide needed funding for advocate children to attend various summer camps and other activities during the balance of the year.
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... monetary assistance could be provided for expenses incurred by Advocates in support of their activities with and for children.
- If I ran this organization, I would... seek greater contributions for its use.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... 1. obtaining more advocates and 2. securing more operating dollar contributions
- One thing I'd also say is that... there needs to be more awareness made of the purpose and work of the organization.
I was a Volunteer & Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care
Post public compliment
This is a great organization to volunteer for. You can really make a difference in the lives of these children. The Child Advocate training program is very thorough and there are many resources and a lot of support to help you with your specific child and the situations you encounter. It is a very rewarding experience in many ways.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the advocate children. They've been given more opportunities, had many critical needs met, and have made significant changes and that would not have been likely without the extra help of an advocate to support them.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The level of support and the fact that you can have significant one-on-one time with your advocate children to really affect their lives.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... friendly, helpful, concerned, dedicated...
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... help way more kids and provide even more opportunities for all of the kids in need.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... getting enough volunteers, getting enough funding.
I was a Volunteer & advocate for a child in the court system because parents are unable to do so.
Post public compliment
Child Advocates has a great training program. Every Advocate has a supervisor that supports concerns, questions, and so on. Not only am I helping an individual child but also the community by strengthening the qualities of a future adult.
When I met "my child" 1.5 years ago she could not relate to peers, did not speak English, was not performing at grade level, and was over weight. Today "my child" speaks fluent English, has lots of friends her own age, is performing at grade level, loves to learn and can't wait for school to start this fall, she has lost weight and learned to swim.
I think that I get more satisfaction from her achievements than she does. She has made these achievements because she was given a chance, tools, and a friend (me).
I have taught her things such as table manners, don't litter, respect others, follow rules, etc.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the successes "my child" has achieved in a very short period of time.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... the caring and supportive nature of the employees.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... supportive and inspiring.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... help thousands of children.
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... there was more funding.
- If I ran this organization, I would... try to recruit high school and college students to get involved if not by advocating by tutoring, teaching sports, etc.
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... the number of children in the system that need advocates.
- One thing I'd also say is that... being a child advocate has been just as rewarding for me as it has been for "my child".
I am a child advocate. I believe every child deserves a chance every child deserves a childhood. I work with some amazing people and best of all I work with some amazing teens. I choose to avocate for the teens that emotional, angry at the world, bundles of hormones age group 14-18. I ran across a child advocate ad at 17 and ran across that ad at 30 but finally decided at 50ish to do something. I have been an advocate for about 3yrs I have met people who sincerely care and some truly burned out. I have met parents who try very hard and parents who don't. But!!!!! all of my teens contrary to belief sincerely care and sincerely appreciate all that is given to them even though at times they cannot or is unable to express that. I must say that all of the people at the Milpitas office are truly caring people and I respect what they represent and I am truly happy that they are there to help and support our kids that are truly in need. If you don't think you have anything to offer think again we all have something even if it's just being grateful we made it another day.
WE CAN SHOW A CHILD ONE STEP AT A TIME ONE DAY AT A TIME.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... The children that are helped within this organization
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... the staff and the kids
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... filled with compassion
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... wow...do wonders make a difference a the lives of many children
Ways to make it better!
- My experience would have been better if... i have had nothing but good experience
- If I ran this organization, I would... do nothing different
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... getting advocates
- One thing I'd also say is that... try it
When I joined Child Advocates I didn't know what I was going to get myself into. I have to say it was the best thing I ever did. I've been and Advocate for about 3 1/2 years.
When I first started seeing my child it was kind of hard cause my child didn't talk or open up to me. But over the years my child started to trust me. Now we have this great bond together. I enjoy hanging out.
Over my 3 1/2 years, my child had 2 foster mom's, 3 social workers, 2 county social worker and the list keeps changing. I really understand why we are a big part of their lives.
The Great!
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... making a different in someone eles life.
- The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were... are awsome! I have not ran into anyone that was rude.
- If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could... be spent on the kids.
Ways to make it better!
- If I ran this organization, I would... change nothing. They done a great job!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... getting to know the child and building trust. Trying not to let them down.
- One thing I'd also say is that... they are always helping out the kids. Making them feel like every other kid. They are always there to help.
Child Advocates really puts their heart and soul into helping community volunteers have the proper tools, support, and care to make a difference in the lives of foster children.
The Great!
- I've seen the results of this organization in... the volunteers who have served and the children they have helped.
- What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is... The volunteers.
Ways to make it better!
- In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are... getting more volunteers!!