Event: KIDSTRAVAGANZA
Date: May 17, 2025
Location: Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
Population Served: Foster youth ages 3+
Event Highlights:
On Saturday, May 17, foster kids and their Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers, a total of 27 participants, enjoyed a full day of fun, bonding and exploration at our 4th Annual KIDSTRAVAGANZA! As attendees arrived, they were welcomed with prize bags, carnival decorations and a lineup of exciting indoor and outdoor activities.
With more than a dozen interactive stations, foster kids and their CASAs spent the day moving, creating, laughing and learning – each activity rooted in a targeted Positive Childhood Experience (PCEs). Throughout our indoor stations, we featured mindfulness and creativity activities, including an art table where youth could get hands-on with crafts, markers and more. Therapy dogs from Canine Companions offered calm companionship and moments of comfort. Youth also enjoyed imaginative play thanks to Red Ladder Theater Company, who hosted a lively reader’s theater and storytelling experience that sparked joy and engagement.
Outdoors, the excitement continued with physical activity hosted by Allera Sports and carnival competitions managed by Santa Clara University Future Child Advocates. From lawn games to face painting, every station supported movement, laughter and connection. We also had Dottie the Clown providing our youth with balloon animals and face painting.
Lunch brought a special twist as youth created their own charcuterie snack cups, using cookie cutters to shape cheese stars and adding fruits and veggies to personalize their treats. This hands-on activity offered a fun and creative way to explore healthy nutrition. Attendees also enjoyed sandwiches and salads.
By the end of the day, youth had enjoyed a variety of experiences that supported their physical, emotional and social development. Through every activity, we targeted PCEs like physical activity, mindfulness, nutrition, mental health care and supportive relationships, the event nurtured joyful memories that will last well beyond the weekend. CASAs especially played an essential role, guiding their youth through each station and offering encouragement along the way. These one-on-one moments helped foster trust, supported emotional well-being and reminded youth they are never alone.
This event was made possible thanks to our incredible staff, devoted CASA Volunteers, generous vendors, and especially our community partners who SHOWED UP for our foster youth: Red Ladder Theater Company, San Jose Public Library, Yoga 4 All Movement, Allera Sports, Canine Companions, and the Santa Clara University Future Child Advocates. Thank you all for making this day magical for our youth.
If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring a youth-related event, please contact our development department at development@childadvocatessv.org.
