Author: Stephanie Ferro, Graduate Student Worker, Health and Human Services Agency, North County Regions
Casa de Amparo, a Live Well San Diego partner since August 4, 2016, helps children and families transform their lives. For the past 40 years, Casa de Amparo has worked to support children affected by and at risk for abuse and neglect through a range of programs and services. The organization serves 1,000 kids annually from prenatal to 25 years of age and over 950 families through three programs: Family Visitation, New Directions and Young Parent Network.
Family Visitation provides a neutral supervised setting for Casa Kids up to 17 years old who have been separated from their parents as a result of separation, child abuse or neglect. The program facilitates regular visits, positive interactions, reduction of stress and trauma, and reunification, if appropriate.
Casa Kids, ages 18 to 25, who are foster and former foster youth, can participate in New Directions, a transitional housing program that equips youth with the necessary skills and resources to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. Services include provision of basic necessities and housing, employment and career planning and life-skill training.
Young Parent Network
Young Parent Network is designed to address the needs of pregnant and parenting youth through the age of 25, who are struggling with trauma, substance use, or the emotional, financial, and personal demands of being a parent. The goal of the program is to increase the health, safety and well-being of Casa Kids and families by following evidence-based practices to assure a safe home environment, develop positive parenting skills, and teach healthy ways of coping with stress.
The community also plays an important role in helping to build strong families. During the holidays for example, gifts are donated to the children based on the wish lists the children create.
“To see all the generosity in our community and what generous people can do to help kids that do not have parents that are there to support them is the best part of my job,” said Katherine M. Karpe, Director of Development. By partnering with the greater San Diego Community, Casa de Amparo ensures that children and their families receive unique and innovative services. “To see the resiliency of the children that we help is also another part of my job that I enjoy,” shared Karpe.
Casa de Amparo’s current goal is to finish the construction of a fourth residential cottage for children with more acute needs. Given that this is the organizations 40th year celebration, Casa de Amparo is working on educating the community on the 40 years of service that they have provided.
For more information, please visit: https://www.casadeamparo.org
Upcoming events:
· Crystal Ball Gala November 10, 2018 at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club
· Meet the Chefs Event in April 2019 in Del Mar
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