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Save the Date!
Friday, February 5th
6:30 - 11:00 p.m.
Valley River Inn
CASA's 6th Annual Casino Night is just around the corner! Join us for an exciting evening of casino games played for prizes, a hosted buffet and bar, a Texas Hold'em Tournament, great raffle prizes, a Wall of Wine, and more! Tickets are $100 each. Look for your invitation soon. To learn more about Casino Night or to RSVP, contact Jill Mestler at (541) 868-3088.
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Your Change Added Up
We are so pleased to report that this summer, CASA's Change Adds Up for Kids campaign raised a total of $6,500! Thank you so much to everyone in the community for helping us to reach our goal. Change really does add up!
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Visit from Russian Delegation
On October 31st, several Russian government and NGO representatives will begin a week-long tour of Lane County organizations that address child abuse. The delegation aims to gather information to improve programs for abused children in Russia. In addition to visiting CASA, they will hear from several other local organizations including A Family for Every Child, Birth to Three, Relief Nursery, and the Commission on Children and Families. |
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Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter!
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Enjoy Great Wines and Support CASA!
WineStyles Benefit for CASA
Tuesday, November 3rd
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
WineStyles, 2846 Willamette St.
(in plaza with Market of Choice)
Taste six delicious wines for $10 and CASA receives 50% of the tasting fee! Stop in on Tues, Nov 3rd anytime from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and bring a friend. Click here to download the flier with more information, and please help spread the word!
Plus, when you shop at WineStyles November 1st - 7th and mention CASA, we receive 10% of all sales. Find the perfect wine and gifts for the holidays and support a powerful voice for abused and neglected children.
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My Eight-Year-Old Role Model
by Chuck Boyer, CASA Volunteer
Four years ago, I became the Court Appointed Special Advocate for three siblings ages eight, four and nine months. The children had been removed from their mother's care due to abandonment and child endangerment allegations, as she had a habit of leaving the children unsupervised while she took cross country trips. The children were placed into foster care.
Early on I made the assessment that these kids needed a different family, which was in opposition to the direction that Child Protective Services was taking. I kept focusing on the needs of the children and their right to have a childhood unencumbered by self-serving and conflict-oriented adults. I recall venting my frustration in court and having the Judge agree with me. It was a turning point in the case. Last month, all three children were adopted together into a safe, permanent home.
I have seen these children, particularly the two older ones, make incredible progress in all areas of their lives. The oldest, now twelve years old, was a sullen and manipulative child who was headed, I'm quite certain, to the already overpopulated rolls of the runaway and homeless youth. He is now a self-assured, relaxed pre-adolescent with a very positive future.
The other child is a now eight-year-old boy who gives me pride beyond description. He was a child totally out of control four years ago who, through positive adult intervention, but also through pure personal character, has turned his life around. This child has become a role model...for me. To have him thank me for what I'd done for him and his siblings...well, let's just say it was a moment I doubt I'll ever forget. |
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Interested in Becoming a CASA Volunteer?
In January and April 2010, CASA will begin new training classes for CASA volunteers. Each class runs Tuesday evenings 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. for 10 weeks, and fully prepares you for your role as a child advocate. If you are interested in learning more, click here or contact Patrick Schreiber via email or at 868-3086.
 Check out what volunteer Catriona Penfield had to say about her experience as a CASA:
"I wanted to express my thanks to my CASA trainers and my supervisor, Suzie Davis, for the excellent training and information I received throughout my volunteer time for CASA. I trained to be a CASA at the end of my first year of law school. Over the next two years of law school classes and clinics, my training and experiences at CASA made significant amounts of the material a review for me. Although I learned a great deal from my law school professors, externship supervisors, and clinic directors, my CASA training and volunteer work provided a solid knowledge base. In addition, working with the case file and individuals involved with the case was a valuable precursor to having clinic clients of my own. My role as a CASA allowed me to help the kids in my case, but CASA helped me be a more successful law student and future family/child advocate. Once again, thanks to CASA for a rich and meaningful experience." |
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Megan Shultz Chairs Foster Care Safety Team
CASA's Executive Director Megan Shultz has just been appointed chair of the Foster Care Safety Team for the State of Oregon. She will be working with a team of outside experts over the next 90 days to examine whether the state adequately addresses allegations of abuse in foster care.
Almost 14,000 Oregon children spent at least one day in state foster care last year. The rate of abuse in foster care is far lower than in the overall population. But child welfare officials say they're disturbed by what they're learning and intend to make sure Oregon fulfills its responsibility to protect kids who have already endured abuse by their parents or others. | |
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We hope you've enjoyed the Fall eNews. If you have thoughts, feedback, questions, please reply to this email or call Sarah-Kate Sharkey at 541-868-3087.
We look forward to hearing from you. |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates Staff
www.casa-lane.org |
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