Meet our CASP board Member Cheryl Camany

CASP Interviewed Cheryl to find out more about the work that she does for the community and how being part of CASP increases the impact of her time and efforts. 

CASP: How does your affiliation with CASP support your work?

Cheryl: Our Family Resource Center serves the homeless and foster students along with their families of Salinas City Elementary School District. These are some of the most vulnerable youth in our community. We lend families a hand through information, referrals and programs. In order to do that, our staff needs to be aware and form collaborative partnerships with CASP members such as non-profits, civic organizations, governmental agencies, the faith community and community families. The networking that results from CASP truly makes a difference in improving access to and delivery of services for our families in need.

CASP: Last year, you had the best attendance.  What about CASP makes you get up for 7 am. meetings?

Cheryl: It's the perfect way to start my workday! I truly look forward to each CASP meeting, event and the partners' infectious energy, even at 7 am. Every session is informative and we leave knowing a little more about our cross-sector community partners and how we can better collaborate with each other to support the mission and vision of CASP.

CASP: Why are you so passionate about reducing juvenile violence?

Cheryl: Reducing youth violence through prevention, intervention, enforcement and re-entry strategies helps toward removing barriers for our youth to succeed within our community. Homeless and foster youth families' needs are continually evolving and each scenario is unique. The daily stress of inadequate living situations, lack of food, clothing and transportation, medical, mental and developmental health concerns are just a few challenges these families face.

Many homeless and foster children fall behind in school. This creates frustration in the children, the feeling of inadequacy, truancy, anger, and a downhill slope in self-esteem and school grades. It is the goal of our program to lift these children up by providing them with basic school supplies, support and resources that will level the field for them at school and in our community.

Students attending school fully equipped experience a huge boost in overall morale. Homeless and foster children are then less self-conscious and can focus their energy on learning. With over 9,000+ homeless students in Monterey County, we must all participate in a concerted effort to reduce youth violence to help ensure the hopeful possibilities of a successful future.