CASA DC's Building BRIDGES for Girls

CASA for Children of DC will conduct a gender-responsive sub-program within BRIDGES, ‘Building BRIDGES for Girls,’ to address the particular needs of juvenile justice-involved girls in the District of Columbia. Recognizing the vital protective factor of positive social engagement for adolescent girls, CASA DC will establish weekly Support Circles for justice-involved girls. Further positive social engagement will be provided by CASA volunteers.

CASA volunteers provide justice-involved youth with positive and goal-oriented engagement from a supportive adult figure. CASA volunteers aim to support BRIDGES youth in preventing recidivism and improving outcomes across four domains: Permanency, Education, Well-Being, and Life Skills. CASA volunteers advocate for the youth’s best interests in Court and to interdisciplinary professionals involved in a youth’s case. With Building BRIDGES for Girls, CASA volunteers will help empower adolescent girls by gaining a greater understanding of the justice system and building protective factors against recidivism, such as improved well-being, relationships, and academics.