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DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

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VISION:

CASA for Children envisions that every person that is involved with CASA for Children feels seen, heard and acknowledged and is empowered by our organization as their authentic selves.
 

MISSION: 

CASA for Children advocates to prioritize anti-racism, anti-oppression, justice, and healing at CASA for Children by acknowledging the inequities and trauma that exist both in our internal work community and in our broader community. CASA for Children provides input on how to create a staff, board and volunteer team that reflects the youth and families we serve so impacted communities feel their voices and lived experiences are considered in decision making.
 

VALUES: 

We strive to continuously improve our practice to not inadvertently perpetuate harm that we know is caused by the dependency system.

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We know that children of color are disproportionately represented in the foster care system and are less likely to encounter caseworkers, service providers, lawyers, judges, or CASAs who share their race or ethnicity.  We know that LGBTQ youth face increased discrimination, harassment, and hostility in the foster care system and experience a higher than average rate of suicide. We know that undocumented children face constant fear of family separation and experience significant barriers to accessing educational, health, and housing services. These are just a few of the many complex issues we must take into consideration.

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We are committed to strengthening our relationships and building partnerships with people, organizations, and businesses who reflect the diverse identities and cultures of the children and families we serve. We believe bringing more voices to the table to influence our policies and practices will help us provide better advocacy and arrive at better outcomes for our youth. 

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OUR VALUES, IN ALL LEVELS OF OUR WORK, INCLUDE:

  • Accountability and transparency

  • Integrity and commitment

  • Equity and equality

  • Awareness and sensitivity to differences and biases

  • Kindness, trust, mutual respect and responsiveness

  • Intentional and proactive inclusivity

  • Prioritization of the impact of actions over the intention behind them

  • Amplification of impacted voices, seeking justice and healing

  • Creation of safe spaces for everyone who comes in contact with our organization

  • Evolution through continual work and action towards anti-racism

  • Evaluation and assessment of ongoing progress

ABOUT CASA

When a child who has experienced abuse and neglect is going through the trauma of the court system, a CASA is tirelessly working to guide them through safely, quickly, and effectively.

DONATE NOW

Donate now online, it’s a safe and secure way to give. Your support will help children in our community who experienced abuse and neglect find safe, permanent homes.

BECOME AN ADVOCATE

We need volunteers more than ever to help a child find a safe, permanent home. Become a CASA and make a lasting difference in the life of a child.

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"Partners in Diversity (PiD) operates as an affiliate of the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, and seeks to address employers’ critical needs for achieving and empowering a workforce that reflects the rapidly changing demographics of the Pacific Northwest." 

DEI COMMITTEE

Our DEI committee has been active since 2015, meeting on a regular basis to discuss and strategize ways in which our organization can better meet the diverse needs of the children and families we serve. We seek to better understand the systemic inequities that impact our communities of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, and other historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. Our team has developed short-term and long-term goals in an effort to provide more culturally responsive advocacy, to diversify our staff, volunteers, and board members, and to shift the culture of our organization at all levels by fully integrating the principles of DEI.

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NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS TO BENEFICIARIES

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CASA for Children, Inc. operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs. 

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To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TTY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish). To file a complaint of discrimination with this organization, write CASA for Children, Inc., 1401 NE 68th Ave., Portland, OR 97213 or call 503-988-5115. To file a complaint of discrimination with Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, write Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, Attn: Shannon Sivell, Complaint Coordinator, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 or call 503-378-5348. 

You may also email to shannon.l.sivell@doj.state.or.us. 

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