For the past 5 years, Passaic County CASA for Children has worked together with the Family Court and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly DYFS) to plan and host the "Teens in Transition Day." The 2014 event will take place on October 17. "Teens in Transition Day" is an annual event focused on providing youth who will age out of the foster care system without the benefit of a stable family home with the tools, resources and knowledge that they need to survive in adulthood.

Over 75 youth attend each year to hear various keynote speakers, panels and attend workshops on subjects such as opening your first bank account, safe sex, driver's readiness, college readiness, housing and healthcare.

To thank the youth for participating, each child is given a gift bag with frequently requested items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash clothes, combs, brushes, cosmetics, perfumes, deodorant, writing journals, school supplies, fast food gift vouchers/coupons, movie gift certificates and individually wrapped snacks. Unlike many youth in our communities, these children do not have easy access to the funding or transportation to purchase daily essentials that we take for granted.

To help make these items more accessible, CASA accepts donations throughout the year to benefit children in foster care. If your organization, business or family would like to host a collection to benefit CASA, please contact our Executive Director at Erica@passaiccountycasa.org for more information or to arrange a CASA staff to speak to your group.