News and Media Center

Monsanto Grow St. Louis Contest

We recently entered Monsanto’s Grow St. Louis contest in an effort to receive funding for our organization. Grow St. Louis projects that get the most votes will receive $15,000 (first), $10,000 (second) and $5,000 (third) grants from Monsanto—and you can help us be among the winners! Just click here to vote for us through January 29. You can vote once per day - tell all your friends to do the same!

Merger Will Bring a Stronger Voice to Abused and Neglected Children

The boards of Voices for Children and CASA of St. Louis County voted to approve a merger at their July board meetings. After 18 months of due diligence and planning, the two agencies will come together later this year to become even stronger in their advocacy for abused and neglected children in St. Louis. The unified agency will serve 1,200 children annually and the CASA programs in the city and county will have a combined 500 volunteers speaking up for St. Louis' most vulnerable children each year.

Press Release

Must-See Movies

Two Fall 2009 movies - Precious and The Blind Side - capture several Academy Award nominations bringing much needed attention to the needs of child victims of abuse and neglect. While both movies may take moviegoers places they don’t want to go, each is hopeful and shows the potential and resilience every child possesses. They also show the impact that we can have on children who may have no one else. And the impact they can have on us.

Precious

Based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire

Clareece "Precious" Jones is a teenager about to give birth to her second child. Both children are the products of sexual abuse. Unable to read or write, Precious has few prospects for the future until she gets into an alternative school where a teacher gives her what she has never had – high expectations, love and consistent support. She responds by giving herself something that most teens in her situation never get -- a chance to start over.

Six 2009 Academy Award Nominations:

Best picture
Actress in a leading role – Gabourey Sidibe
Actress in a supporting role – Mo’Nique
Directing
Film editing
Writing (adapted screenplay)

The Blind Side

Based on the true story of Michael Oher, a first round draft pick for the Baltimore Ravens

As a youth, Michael finds himself in and out of foster homes, at times homeless, as a result of an absent mother struggling with substance abuse. Until a wealthy family notices him and starts to help him with the things he doesn’t have – food, clothes, a place to stay and eventually a home and loving family. This inspiring story ends up with Michael giving his new family as much as he gets from them.

Two 2009 Academy Award Nominations:

Best Picture
Actress in a leading role – Sandra Bullock

By Bill McClellan
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bill McClellan’s poignant column is a window into one child’s journey through foster care. The column is about Lynasia, a young woman who was represented by Voices for Children’s child advocates until she aged out of the foster care system. Lynasia is now a college student and young mother. Her spirit and determination are inspirational.

Lynasia is just one of thousands of children we have advocated for since 1998.

By Sylvester Brown Jr.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sylvester Brown shines a light on the work of Voices for Children with his column on City CASA advocate Luciana Bowens. At the time of the article, this single, working mother of two represented nine children. She holds nothing back, “even if it means going toe-to-toe” with others involved in one of her cases.

Luciana fully embraces the complexities and rewards of advocating for the children who need her.

Read the full column