The Fund for Indian Subcontinent Heritage (FISH) presented its largest donation on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2025 — a $105,000 check to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Fresno and Madera Counties to support its work helping foster youth. Photo by Ben Hensley

The Fund by Indian Subcontinent Heritage (FISH) presented its largest donation Thursday — a $105,000 check to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to support its work helping foster youth .

FISH was founded in 2017 as an initiative started by Central Valley residents with South Asian heritage, and works to promote community organizations through philanthropic efforts. Each year, FISH hosts a gala where a local community organization is selected to be the recipient of the organization’s annual donation.

The organization has donated funds to groups combating human trafficking, homelessness and domestic violence.

“The donation, in general, just shows the strength of FISH in the community,” said Annureet Bezwada, president of FISH. “We have been working toward getting bigger, better and stronger and doing more for every organization year after year after year, and we have been successful in that goal.”

CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties Executive Director Wilma Tom Hashimoto said the donation comes at a time when the organization faces a difficult financial year ahead. In the most recent state budget proposal, the Victims of Crime Act, which provides funding to groups such as CASA, will see a 43% funding cut to $87 million.

Hashimoto said that will challenge the organization moving forward, but that they remain true to their mission to serve foster youth in the region.

“We are having to look at our budget, quite honestly, and see where it is that we can reduce the amount of expenditures, yet still keep our main focus,” she said.

Hashimoto said the funds donated by FISH will primarily be used to offset costs to CASA advocates — volunteers who donate their time and money, often without reimbursement, to foster youth in the Valley. They drive them to and from school activities and social events, and provide them with a safe and stable environment.

“[The donation] positively impacts our program when we know that the economic projection in terms of donations and grants are going to be significantly less for the next fiscal year,” she said. “This will continue to help sustain programs as well as being able to continually grow and improve our services for our foster youth.”

Hashimoto added that CASA is always looking for support, either financially by becoming a donor, or through becoming a CASA advocate. The organization is always seeking volunteers, often with foster youth being placed on waiting lists for advocates.

Information about becoming an advocate or donor is available at CASA’s website.