Imperial County & Quechan Tribal CASA is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $99,700 multi-year grant from the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation to support the organization's work advocating for abused and neglected children throughout Imperial County and the Quechan Tribal Court. The grant will provide $49,850 annually over a two-year period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, helping CASA sustain and expand services for vulnerable children and families.
The funding will support CASA's mission of serving children impacted by family violence, homelessness, food insecurity, substance abuse, and other circumstances that bring families into the child welfare system. Through trained volunteer advocates, CASA ensures that children have a consistent voice in court and access to the services and support they need to achieve safety, stability, and permanency.
"This grant represents a significant investment in the children and families of Imperial County," said Alex Cardenas, Executive Director of Imperial County & Quechan Tribal CASA. "The challenges facing many of the children we serve are growing increasingly complex. This support will help us continue providing high-quality advocacy and ensuring that every child has someone standing beside them during one of the most difficult times in their lives."
For more than 31 years, CASA has partnered with the Juvenile Court, community organizations, and service providers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Today, the organization serves more than 400 foster youth annually and is one of only five CASA programs in California authorized to provide advocacy in a Tribal Court through its longstanding partnership with the Quechan Tribal Court.
The Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation supports organizations throughout California that address housing security, food security, and family violence prevention, with a particular focus on families with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. CASA's selection for this award reflects the organization's long-standing commitment to supporting some of the region's most vulnerable children and families.