Barbara Alvarado Starts Program for Latino Youth in Indy

It is too often that Latino Youth drop out of high school and seek alternative paths rather than furthering their education.   Child Advocates recognizes that often times Latino youth are faced with many challenges such as poverty, English being a second language, little to no supports, citizenship and lack of role models.  These challenges become even greater when Latino youth are placed into foster care.  Child Advocates has started a new program targeting Latino Youth in foster care throughout a year to build self-esteem, provide educational support, build resilience, and improve academic skills with the goal of successful high school completion and higher education.  The Latino Youth Leader of Indianapolis Program will work with various Latino communities, schools, colleges and Latino professionals in order to set examples for our youth and work towards success.  LYLI will expose young Latino youth to various financial supports, careers and Latino leaders in the community providing students with the opportunity to set goals for themselves and utilize available resources to further their education. 

 This is the first year for LYLI, starting in January of 2012.  LYLI has 9 participating students currently ranging from ages 12-16.  LYLI will host one event a month relating to Latino culture, education and building leadership skills.  The next LYLI event will be a career panel on Thursday February 23^rd at Child Advocates.  The Career panel will be have 6 Latino professionals that have come from all walks of life and have faced different challenges in order to become successful in their careers.  The children will have the opportunity to ask various questions to the panelist and learn what it is like working towards a higher education as a minority. 

Andrea Manning-Dudley as new Intern Coordinator 

If you are interested in an internship with Child Advocates please feel free to contact Andrea at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 317-205-3055 ext.2228.

Volunteer Director, LaDonna Wattley, to Speak at National CASA Conference

Known for her amazing volunteer training program, LaDonna Wattley is definitely one of the best at what she does. LaDonna is Volunteer Director at Child Advocates and is in charge of training all new volunteers. She has been extremely successful in recruiting new volunteers and continuing the movtivation behind those who have been with us for years. This year LaDonna will be presenting at the National CASA Conference located in Washington D.C. June 9-12. LaDonna's presentation is something special which she herself has developed and is a part of our volunteer training program. The presentation is called "Big Mama's Chair: getting from the company furniture to the kitchen table". This training was created to help individuals work with families of color. It creates an opportunity to break the cultural barriers so great service can be achieved. LaDonna's feedback on this particular aspect of the training has been praised by many and continues to stand out in her  classes. Child Advocates is very excited for LaDonna to share her work & passion with all that attend this years National CASA Conference.

 Cindy Booth Receives Viola J. Taliaferro Award

 On October 14, 2011, Cindy Booth, Executive Director at Child Advocates, Inc. was presented with the Indiana State Bar Association's Viola J. Taliaferro Award. The Indiana Bar Association's Civil Rights of Child Committee selected Cindy to receive this years award for her work on behalf of children.

 This award honors an individual who exemplifies Judge Taliaferro's leadership in addressing unment legal needs of children and raising the public's awareness of these needs. Judge Taliaferro began her career as a social worker and would later become judge of the Monroe County Circuit Court. Judge Taliaferro has a national reputation as a child advocate through her commitment to the children in the legal system, her service on numerous advisory boards, and by the many awards she has received during her career.

 Cindy, as Executive Director of Child Advocates, is honored to receive this award on behalf of her lifetime work to protect the rights of abused/neglected children.

 (Pictured on right Cindy Booth & Judge Viola J. Taliaferro)