“The unfortunate reality is that there is nothing normal about foster care, and too often, kids in the care of the state are forced to grow up too fast. They are removed from home due to abuse or neglect and placed in an unfamiliar environment, sometimes far away from everyone and everything they know. While their peers’ schedules are filled with things like rehearsals, part-time jobs and late-night study sessions, these youth are doing their best to stay afloat in school while balancing caseworker and family visits, doctors’ appointments, and court hearings.
Getting the chance to participate in everyday, age-appropriate activities with peers is critical to any child’s healthy social and emotional development. But due to liability concerns, financial and transportation issues, and other barriers, kids in foster care have been historically denied access to activities that other children tend to take for granted (CASA Deep Dive: Normalcy for Children & Youth in Foster Care).”
CASA of Tarrant County is determined to make normalcy a priority. One small way we have done just that is by ensuring every child is given an opportunity to be celebrated on their birthday.
Since September 2019, CASA of Tarrant County has partnered with Urban Air Adventure Parks to provide free birthday parties to children in foster care. Since then, they have provided over 40 birthday parties for foster children ages 3 and up. Participating Urban Air Adventure Parks reserve the last Sunday of every month to provide the ultimate birthday party package for children in foster care and 9 of their friends. Urban Air staff party hosts “handle everything from setup and hosting to entertainment and cleanup.” It truly is the perfect place for a stress-free birthday party where kids can just be kids! The participating locations include Arlington, Bedford, Fort Worth, Hudson Oaks, Mansfield, and Southlake.
Pictured: CASA volunteer Esther Grant with the child on her case at her Urban Air birthday party.
CASA volunteers Ronda and Dan Feeney say, “We have been working with five children in foster care for three years. They have enjoyed multiple birthday parties, arranged through CASA, at Urban Air. The Urban Air team has greeted these children and their caregivers with open arms. The parties have been enjoyed by the children, their caregivers, and their biological families. The neutral location is a wonderful benefit. Much thanks to Urban Air for spreading joy to our CASA kids!”
CASA Esther Grant also had a child on her case receive a birthday party: “Urban Air is a wonderful place to hold a birthday party! The facility is an amazing, child friendly place where kids can have lots of fun. Urban Air offers birthday parties for children in foster care. As a CASA I was so impressed with the birthday party that was held at Urban Air for my CASA child. The staff there is very attentive to the children and especially attentive to the child whose birthday it is. I absolutely recommend this facility for any functions that community members plan to have.”
Pictured: Urban Air birthday party set up
Jacqueline Gause, Guest Loyalty Team Member for Urban Air also commented, “As an Urban Air Guest Loyalty team member, each birthday booking for the CASA family has created a unique experience for me. It brings me joy to work for a company that prides itself in giving back to the community. I love that we encourage and support families to build fun memories for children. I feel privileged to bring a sense of joy to their lives. Each conversation I've had with different foster parents were genuinely inspiring in itself: such a parade of heartfelt people sharing in impacting someone's life and giving the children everlasting memories.”
We invite you to celebrate CASA’s partnership with Urban Air at our upcoming Urban Air Spirit Night, in partnership with Simply Westlake Magazine and Our Neighborhood Life. Join us January 27, 2022, 4-8pm at Urban Air in Southlake! 20% of proceeds from this fun night will be donated to CASA. Make sure you mention you’re there for CASA when you arrive. Visit the Simply Westlake/Our Neighborhood Life table too!