The Mercury News | May 26, 2023
By: Monique Edmondson, CISCO Systems
Re: “Retaining funding necessary for foster children to succeed” (Page A6, May 23).
As an active board member with Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, I applaud CEO Frederick J. Ferrer for bringing attention to children in foster care with his oped: State funding is crucial for helping foster children thrive.
Foster youth are our community’s most vulnerable children. The state’s investment in these children is worthwhile. With the funding secured in year one of the original state allocation, I saw firsthand how this funding helps court appointed special advocate programs like Child Advocates serve more children, more meaningfully.
State funding is crucial, but so is local support from volunteers, donors and corporations. Cisco is a proud sponsor of Child Advocates and the children they serve. I ask other local corporations to consider joining us as a sponsor and invest in foster children.