The Empowerment Grant Program

The Empowerment Grant Program is sponsored by CASA of DuPage County. This program provides financial assistance to eligible youth who have been involved in the juvenile court system and assigned a CASA volunteer. It helps remove financial barriers for young adults pursuing educational, vocational, and independent living goals.

The Empowerment Program (EP) of CASA of DuPage County is a grant program intended to assist young women and men who have been youth in care and have been assigned a CASA Advocate from CASA of DuPage County. This includes young women and men whose cases involved intact care, foster care, and independent living. You must be 14 - 24 years old to apply to the program.

You do not need to be a current client of CASA of DuPage County to apply, as long as you were assigned a CASA of DuPage County Advocate in the past. You should apply if you are thinking about, starting, or currently attending college or university in pursuit of a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s degree.

You should apply if you are thinking about, starting, or currently attending a technical or vocational school in pursuit of a certificate or certification. You should apply if you are moving toward independent living. First, you will submit an application online.

(See link below.) From there, your application is reviewed by a committee to determine if you are eligible to participate in the program. Applications can be submitted anytime.

You will be notified as to whether you are eligible and accepted. You only need to submit an application once. If you are accepted into the program, you may request funds to cover expenses to help you achieve your educational and vocational goals and prepare you for independent living.

Funds may be granted for expenses which are not covered by other sources, scholarships, grants, or loans. Individuals accepted into the Program may receive up to $2,500. 00 in one fiscal year, and $10,000 lifetime maximum per participant.

It is up to you to provide information to CASA of DuPage County as to specific needs, how much the costs are, and the timeline for payments. The requests are reviewed to determine eligibility and approval. Approved requests will be paid directly to the service provider, school, retailer, vendor, or other entity.

Payments will be made to the student only at the discretion of CASA. EMPOWERMENT REQUESTS Submitting a funding request is quick and easy. You can submit a request online anytime.

(See link below.) Email alerts are received by the Empowerment Program Administrator (EPA) when a request is submitted. You should submit your request as early as possible, to avoid missing any payment deadline.

The more detailed you are in your request, the quicker your funding may be approved. For example, include a statement as to why you need the funds, specific websites and links for the expenses requested, as well as the specific cost, time frame needed, etc. # HOW DO I KNOW MY REQUEST IS APPROVED? We strive to respond to requests within 7 days.

If any additional information is needed to approve or process your request, the EPA, your Advocate or the Advocate Supervisor will contact you. If your request is approved, they will also help you with the next steps. If you have an emergency or any concerns, contact Kathie Paravola, the Empowerment Program Administrator, at kathiep@dupagecasa.

org # COMMON FUNDING REQUESTS Dorm necessities, lab fees, special equipment for a class, calculators, laptops, transportation fees such as bus or train fare, orientation fees, extra-curricular supplies or fees, college prep tests, sports class or camp, driving lessons, car repairs for school transportation, books for class, trade/work equipment, uniforms, certification fees...

This list is by no means exhaustive and no request is too small. Don't be shy! Talk to us and let's see how CASA can help empower you.

Application: E MPOWERMENT APPLICATION Funding request: E MPOWERMENTFUNDING