Bridging Hearts and Communities: How Tanya Melendez Found Her Calling as a CASA Advocate
Ive always been passionate about making a difference, and becoming a CASA seemed like the right move. said Tanya Melendez when asked why she wanted to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Tanya was born in Puerto Rico and lived there until she was fourteen. Her family owns and operates the Tropical Bakery in Reading, where she worked for many years. Today, Tanyas role as the Director of Community Outreach and Programming at the 18th Wonder Improvement Association involves overseeing and coordinating various initiatives to improve and engage the local community. Tanya says, I deeply understand the specific needs and challenges faced by individuals and families of Reading. We all dont have access to the same opportunities. Tanya discovered CASA volunteering when she looked into ways to grow her family. She adores being a mom to her nine-year-old daughter, Camila and considered foster care. However, it was not an option due to her daughters particular needs. Tanya found being a Court Appointed Special Advocate is an ideal way to engage in a childs life. Tanya anticipates that a CASA who looks and sounds like the children in foster care can effectively establish relationships with her assigned CASA child. Tanya thrives in places where she can foster connections and create solutions for the community. She believes that volunteering as a CASA advocate will allow her to be the bridge connecting a child in foster care to what they truly need. Please consider becoming a CASA volunteer child advocate like Tanya.
Volunteer Therapists Needed for CASA Berks Youth in Transition Program
Each year, young people in Berks County age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the consistent support many of us take for granted. They face the same challenges every young adult encountershousing, employment, relationships, financesbut often without a stable network of guidance and emotional support.
At CASA of Berks County, we see the resilience of these young adults every day. We also see the gaps.
To help close those gaps, we are launching our Youth in Transition program, designed to provide short-term counseling for young adults who have recently exited foster care. And we are inviting licensed therapists to be part of this critical new initiative.
Why Volunteer Therapists Matter
Young adults aging out of foster care have often spent years navigating systems, instability, and trauma. A safe, reliable therapeutic relationshipeven for a short periodcan help them:
Build confidence and emotional stability
Strengthen coping skills
Navigate significant life decisions
Develop healthier relationships
Feel supported during an uncertain time
Your clinical training and compassionate presence can be the anchor they need as they move forward.
What the Role Involves
Volunteer therapists provide short-term, trauma-informed counseling tailored to each young adults needs. Sessions can be scheduled based on your availability, and CASA Berks provides structure, support, and coordination throughout the process.
This is a flexible way to offer your professional skills to a population that often struggles to access mental health care.
Who Were Looking For
We are seeking licensed professionals such as:
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
Licensed Psychologists
If you believe every young person deserves someone in their corner, and youre passionate about creating equitable access to care, wed love to talk with you.
Learn More
We invite interested therapists to attend an upcoming information session or reach out directly to our program coordinator.
Contact Tiffany@casaberks.org for details.
Together, we can ensure that no young adult leaving foster care has to take their next steps alone.
November 22, 2025
Volunteer Therapists Needed for CASA Berks Youth in Transition Program
byNancy McCullar
Each year, young people in Berks County age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the consistent support many of us take for granted. They face the same challenges every young adult encountershousing, employment, relationships, financesbut often without a stable network of guidance and emotional support.
At CASA of Berks County, we see the resilience of these young adults every day. We also see the gaps.
To help close those gaps, we are launching our Youth in Transition program, designed to provide short-term counseling for young adults who have recently exited foster care. And we are inviting licensed therapists to be part of this critical new initiative.
Why Volunteer Therapists Matter
Young adults aging out of foster care have often spent years navigating systems, instability, and trauma. A safe, reliable therapeutic relationshipeven for a short periodcan help them:
- Build confidence and emotional stability
- Strengthen coping skills
- Navigate significant life decisions
- Develop healthier relationships
- Feel supported during an uncertain time
Your clinical training and compassionate presence can be the anchor they need as they move forward.
What the Role Involves
Volunteer therapists provide short-term, trauma-informed counseling tailored to each young adults needs. Sessions can be scheduled based on your availability, and CASA Berks provides structure, support, and coordination throughout the process.
This is a flexible way to offer your professional skills to a population that often struggles to access mental health care.
Who Were Looking For
We are seeking licensed professionals such as:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologists
If you believe every young person deserves someone in their corner, and youre passionate about creating equitable access to care, wed love to talk with you.
Learn More
We invite interested therapists to attend an upcoming information session or reach out directly to our program coordinator.
Contact Tiffany@casaberks.org for details.
Together, we can ensure that no young adult leaving foster care has to take their next steps alone.
November 22, 2025
Volunteer Therapists Needed for CASA Berks Youth in Transition Program
byNancy McCullar
Each year, young people in Berks County age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the consistent support many of us take for granted. They face the same challenges every young adult encountershousing, employment, relationships, financesbut often without a stable network of guidance and emotional support.
At CASA of Berks County, we see the resilience of these young adults every day. We also see the gaps.
To help close those gaps, we are launching our Youth in Transition program, designed to provide short-term counseling for young adults who have recently exited foster care. And we are inviting licensed therapists to be part of this critical new initiative.
Why Volunteer Therapists Matter
Young adults aging out of foster care have often spent years navigating systems, instability, and trauma. A safe, reliable therapeutic relationshipeven for a short periodcan help them:
- Build confidence and emotional stability
- Strengthen coping skills
- Navigate significant life decisions
- Develop healthier relationships
- Feel supported during an uncertain time
Your clinical training and compassionate presence can be the anchor they need as they move forward.
What the Role Involves
Volunteer therapists provide short-term, trauma-informed counseling tailored to each young adults needs. Sessions can be scheduled based on your availability, and CASA Berks provides structure, support, and coordination throughout the process.
This is a flexible way to offer your professional skills to a population that often struggles to access mental health care.
Who Were Looking For
We are seeking licensed professionals such as:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologists
If you believe every young person deserves someone in their corner, and youre passionate about creating equitable access to care, wed love to talk with you.
Learn More
We invite interested therapists to attend an upcoming information session or reach out directly to our program coordinator.
Contact Tiffany@casaberks.org for details.
Together, we can ensure that no young adult leaving foster care has to take their next steps alone.
November 22, 2025
Volunteer Therapists Needed for CASA Berks Youth in Transition Program
byNancy McCullar
Each year, young people in Berks County age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the consistent support many of us take for granted. They face the same challenges every young adult encountershousing, employment, relationships, financesbut often without a stable network of guidance and emotional support.
At CASA of Berks County, we see the resilience of these young adults every day. We also see the gaps.
To help close those gaps, we are launching our Youth in Transition program, designed to provide short-term counseling for young adults who have recently exited foster care. And we are inviting licensed therapists to be part of this critical new initiative.
Why Volunteer Therapists Matter
Young adults aging out of foster care have often spent years navigating systems, instability, and trauma. A safe, reliable therapeutic relationshipeven for a short periodcan help them:
- Build confidence and emotional stability
- Strengthen coping skills
- Navigate significant life decisions
- Develop healthier relationships
- Feel supported during an uncertain time
Your clinical training and compassionate presence can be the anchor they need as they move forward.
What the Role Involves
Volunteer therapists provide short-term, trauma-informed counseling tailored to each young adults needs. Sessions can be scheduled based on your availability, and CASA Berks provides structure, support, and coordination throughout the process.
This is a flexible way to offer your professional skills to a population that often struggles to access mental health care.
Who Were Looking For
We are seeking licensed professionals such as:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologists
If you believe every young person deserves someone in their corner, and youre passionate about creating equitable access to care, wed love to talk with you.
Learn More
We invite interested therapists to attend an upcoming information session or reach out directly to our program coordinator.
Contact Tiffany@casaberks.org for details.
Together, we can ensure that no young adult leaving foster care has to take their next steps alone.
November 22, 2025
Volunteer Therapists Needed for CASA Berks Youth in Transition Program
byNancy McCullar
Each year, young people in Berks County age out of foster care and step into adulthood without the consistent support many of us take for granted. They face the same challenges every young adult encountershousing, employment, relationships, financesbut often without a stable network of guidance and emotional support.
At CASA of Berks County, we see the resilience of these young adults every day. We also see the gaps.
To help close those gaps, we are launching our Youth in Transition program, designed to provide short-term counseling for young adults who have recently exited foster care. And we are inviting licensed therapists to be part of this critical new initiative.
Why Volunteer Therapists Matter
Young adults aging out of foster care have often spent years navigating systems, instability, and trauma. A safe, reliable therapeutic relationshipeven for a short periodcan help them:
- Build confidence and emotional stability
- Strengthen coping skills
- Navigate significant life decisions
- Develop healthier relationships
- Feel supported during an uncertain time
Your clinical training and compassionate presence can be the anchor they need as they move forward.
What the Role Involves
Volunteer therapists provide short-term, trauma-informed counseling tailored to each young adults needs. Sessions can be scheduled based on your availability, and CASA Berks provides structure, support, and coordination throughout the process.
This is a flexible way to offer your professional skills to a population that often struggles to access mental health care.
Who Were Looking For
We are seeking licensed professionals such as:
- Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Licensed Psychologists
If you believe every young person deserves someone in their corner, and youre passionate about creating equitable access to care, wed love to talk with you.
Learn More
We invite interested therapists to attend an upcoming information session or reach out directly to our program coordinator.
Contact Tiffany@casaberks.org for details.
Together, we can ensure that no young adult leaving foster care has to take their next steps alone.