Why CASA Essex Needs Volunteers More Than Ever

Right now, there are approximately 600 children in foster care in Essex County. Nearly all come from families living at or below the poverty line, with the greatest concentration in Newark, East Orange, and Irvington—communities disproportionately affected by poverty and instability. The consequences are profound: financial hardship too often leads to unsafe living environments, resulting in neglect, abuse, and the removal of children from their homes.

The children CASA Essex serves are navigating layer upon layer of hardship. Before entering foster care, many experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Once removed, they face separation from parents, siblings, and friends. Most children will spend 17.5 months in foster care, and during that time, many will move between 2–3 different homes—with some enduring as many as 5–7 placements.

The instability of foster care compounds the challenges these children already face. Over 65% require special education services, and many struggle with chronic health concerns and emotional trauma. Educational outcomes remain a serious concern: while 84% of their peers graduate high school, only 65% of foster youth reach that milestone. Just 2–8% complete college, leaving many without the opportunities they deserve.

The risks extend into adulthood. Without stable connections and consistent support, youth leaving foster care face alarming outcomes: 23% experience homelessness and 26% become incarcerated within a short time after aging out.

This is where CASA volunteers change the story. Each volunteer is assigned to one child, ensuring that no child slips through the cracks. CASA volunteers advocate for medical care, educational resources, counseling, and access to activities that help children heal and grow. They provide Family Court judges with critical information to guide decisions in the child’s best interest. Most importantly, they are often the one consistent adult presence in a child’s life during a time of overwhelming change.

At present, CASA Essex is serving 332 children—just over half of the foster care population in Essex County. That leaves nearly 300 children without an advocate. The need is clear: we must expand our volunteer base so that every child has a dedicated advocate by their side.

You can make the difference. Join us today—your voice can change a child’s story.