FOCUS: ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY NEWS : WESTMINSTER : Ready for the Big Day
A nonprofit organization assisting abused children gave new backpacks and $100 vouchers to 180 youngsters at the Westminster Mall on Saturday.
The children, most of whom live away from their families in foster or group homes, spent the day shopping with their mentors from Court Appointed Special Advocates, the organizers of the back-to-school event. Above, mentor Joanne Harding accompanies a 10-year-old through the mall.
“The kids will be ready to learn and feel good on their first day of school,” said Rose Carey, a director at CASA. “This was a tremendous success, and we’re going to do this again next year.”
CASA has 350 volunteers working with about 500 children who have been removed from their families because of abuse, but the organization is in need of more advocates and is looking for volunteers, Carey said.
Information: (714) 663-9034 or (714) 663-9051.
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