Summer Safety: Supporting Vulnerable Youth When School’s Out and How Volunteers Can Help

Summer Safety: Supporting Vulnerable Youth When School’s Out

Summer brings images of carefree days filled with popsicles, pool parties, and childhood adventures. For many of us, some of our most cherished memories come from those long, warm days of summer freedom.

However, for children and youth at risk of trafficking, the summer months can present significant challenges. When school ends, vulnerable young people lose access to a consistent safe environment and the wraparound services that schools provide. This disruption can make meeting basic needs more difficult and may increase their risk of exploitation.

How CASA volunteers can help:

For all the youth on your caseload — particularly those with possible or clear concerns identified through the CSE-IT screening — consider incorporating these important check-ins during the CASA volunteers’ visits:

• How are you meeting your basic needs (food, shelter, safety)?

• Where are you spending your time during the day?

• Who are you spending time with?

• What activities or programs are you involved in?

By asking these thoughtful questions and staying connected, we can help ensure that our young people remain safe and supported during the summer months when regular routines are disrupted. Your consistent presence and advocacy can make all the difference in a child’s life. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our ACT consultant at casaacts@texascasa.org with any questions or concerns.