CASA recently hosted its first Dia De Los Muertos event. CASA youth and their advocates were invited to bring photos of loved ones who have died to place on the ofrenda (altar) created in the CASA office. A staff member, along with his dad, cooked up delicious homemade carnitas for the celebration and those in attendance had fun watching the movie Coco, making flowers from tissue paper, and creating sugar skull frames to add to the ofrenda. 

Dia De Los Muertos traditionally celebrates the unity of life and death when the spirits of loved ones who have died return to earth to celebrate with friends and family. Families build an altar with pictures of loved ones, foods they enjoyed, and objects that serve as reminders of them. For youth in foster care, it may be hard to access opportunities to celebrate this date. For displaced youth, it’s often difficult to even locate family photos, so CASA OC provided a space to do so. 

It was a beautiful way to remember loved ones and celebrate traditions, and provided a special place to move through the grief that comes with the deep loss of a loved one. Many CASA staff members added their own photos of deceased loved ones to the ofrenda.

Norma Mendoza, Volunteer Recruitment and DEIB Manager, said, "My heart melted hearing a conversation between one of the children in attendance and her advocate. This youth continues learning about her culture through her advocate who has helped her understand the significance of this celebration.” 

You can help a child in foster care in your community access opportunities like these by volunteering with CASA. Sign up for an information session  to learn more.