Attendees at this year’s National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) had the opportunity to bring comfort to Kansas City area children in the family court system through the annual “Make a Child Smile” community outreach event, sponsored by Qualia.
Participants volunteered to help fill kits with personal items to be distributed to children in foster care by the Jackson County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).
“We always look forward to the opportunity to help children in our host NS3 community. Watching people from the industry step up and chip in each year is one of the highlights of NS3,” October Research, LLC CEO and Publisher Erica Meyer said. “Thank you to Qualia and all our attendees for helping support Jackson County CASA.”
At the Make a Child Smile event Tuesday night, Qualia team members guided NS3 attendees in filling kits with items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, shampoo and hairbrushes for children entering the foster care system. The kits were presented to Jackson County CASA members on Wednesday.
“Giving back to the communities that host NS3 is something Qualia looks forward to every year,” Qualia Chief Marketing Officer Matt Kaufman said. “This year, we’re honored to partner with Jackson County CASA, whose volunteers serve as dedicated advocates for children in the Kansas City family court system. We’re grateful for October Research helping bring our team together with fellow NS3 attendees to provide this support in the local community.”
Jackson County CASA recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate for children in the Jackson County Family Court system. Volunteers stand up for the children, many who have experienced abuse or neglect. Children in the system often have multiple case workers and school changes. A CASA volunteer offers a consistent adult voice and is dedicated solely to that child’s well-being.
“Jackson County CASA is grateful to receive the support from the National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) attendees and Qualia as part of their Make a Child Smile Community Outreach Event,” Jackson County CASA Director of Development Carlos Corredor said. “The opportunity for attendees from across the country to come together during your summit to provide children and youth in foster care in our community with kits makes an extraordinary impact in an ordinary way. Thank you for helping us ensure that every child we serve knows they are seen, supported and worth fighting for.”
For more than 13 years, October Research has been hosting the Make a Child Smile event at NS3. It has supported community service organizations across the country, including the Bartko Foundation, Sunshine Kids Foundation, The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Texas Foster Care and Adoption Services, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, Charlotte Ronald McDonald House Charities, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Arizona Helping Hands, The St. Bernard Project, Toys for Tots and Ohio Guidestone.