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The annual fundraiser supports Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization that serves foster youth in Santa Clara County. Last year’s virtual event drew more than 400 participants and generated over $30,000 for Child Advocates. K co-chair and Child Advocates board member, said the Foster5K organizing committee was “blown away” by last year’s response. In fiscal year 2020, Child Advocates served 940 foster children through its Court Appointed Special Advocate program, which recruits, trains and supports people who are appointed with a court order by a judge to advocate for the best interests of a child in foster care.

From giving me rides to school, providing resources and tons of tutoring support with my homework, When the big day finally came, she helped me prepare my graduation speech and sat proudly in the audience with my two children, boyfriend and other support team members. Currently, as the lead of our Reproductive Health/ Teen Parent program area, I support our CASAs to build a connection with our youth and create a safe space to discuss reproductive health. As a CASA Specialist, Jessica Alvarez supervises 25 CASA Volunteers, 7 CASA mentors and has been trained to lead our Reproductive Health/Teen Parent program area. As a former foster youth who had a CASA Volunteer while navigating the system, Jessica understands first hand and believes in the impact of a CASA.

Shortly into Trisha’s first assignment, Dorothy, her assigned CASA Specialist, saw the passion that Trisha brought to her advocacy and asked her if she was willing to take on a second assignment, Joseph, a foster teen with nonverbal cognitive challenges. She connected with Joseph’s psychologist and his team of caregivers to figure out how to best connect and support Joseph. Over 18 months into her assignment, Joseph turned 18-years old and had a Court hearing to determine if he would remain in the Dependency Court System. Although the Court’s ruling didn’t allow for Trisha to remain as Joseph’s CASA, she decided she would continue to be present in Joseph’s life.

After three meetings, a new San Jose commission tasked with reshaping San Jose’s governance has not yet dug into switching to a strong mayor system — the main reason the commission was formed. The city’s Charter Review Commission is tasked with helping the San Jose City Council decide whether the mayor should have more power and other charter changes, including moving mayoral elections to presidential years. The commission was formed in July after Mayor Sam Liccardo pushed for a “strong mayor” model of governance — a system in which the mayor is given the authority to hire and direct department heads without council approval. After taking heat, Liccardo dropped the plan and the council created a commission to review charter changes — such as the proposed strong mayor system — on behalf of each San Jose district.