CASA of Tarrant County recognizes that disparities exist in all aspects of society, including the child welfare system. More than 40% of children in foster care in Texas are hispanic. Each year over 600 children in Tarrant County are removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Of those children, around 30% identify as Hispanic.

Bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed to provide the best advocacy for Latino children. During their time in foster care, children may live in homes where no one looks like them or understands their cultural upbringing. When a Latino volunteer advocate is assigned to a Latino child, there is already an understanding of culture and habits that helps build trust and a closer relationship. Outcomes for children are more successful if language barriers are eliminated so that everyone involved understands how to best help a child and family through the proceedings of each case. Click here to watch our feature on Telemundo!

Volunteer Katalina Hibjan offered this perspective about her experience as a CASA: “When you’re volunteering for these kids, a great deal is about finding a way to connect with them,” she said. “As such, maybe speaking to them in their mother (primary) language or cooking together some food that pertains to their culture, is not only a way to connect with them, but also effectively acknowledges where they come from, for nurturing their sense of belonging that is much needed in this context. As a Hispanic background volunteer, I’m not only being there for them when they need a voice, but I’m contributing for them to embrace their cultural identity.”

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