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CASA Info Night
Mon, Feb 8th 6-7pm
Interested in learning more about what it means to be a CASA volunteer?
Join Executive Director Megan Shultz for an informational meeting. It will be held Mon, Feb 8th, 6-7pm at CASA, 174 Deadmond Ferry Rd., Springfield. Click here for directions. Please RSVP to Patrick Schreiber at (541) 868-3086 or via email.
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Kids' Lives Changed
Last quarter (Oct-Dec'09):
202 children received the powerful advocacy of a CASA volunteer
14 children were placed into safe, permanent homes and their cases were closed
141 CASA volunteers contributed 1,546 hours of service
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Fighting for Justice
CASA volunteer Brian Cox recently wrote to CASA staff:
After a little more than two years as a CASA, I'd like to share something personal with all of you about my CASA experience. I've spent pretty much all my adult life in jobs/careers helping others. I guess that started with becoming an Eagle Scout and going from there. For the last 20 years, I've been in my current profession fighting for justice and trying to do what I can to help those who can't help themselves. Of all those experiences, some of the most rewarding and joyful results I've ever experienced have come from my role and participation as a CASA helping vulnerable children desperately in need of help. I feel blessed that I have some of the skill sets needed to help with this mission.
So, even though I recognize our volunteer efforts help CASA help others, I'd like to extend a sincere "Thank You" for bringing us into the CASA family. Tilting against windmills is one thing (and provides its own kind of rewards), but seeing a child succeed and thrive - and even achieve security and happiness - due in any part by our contributions - has proven to be some of the most rewarding experiences in my life. |
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Friday, February 5th
6:30-11:00 p.m.
Valley River Inn
Games! Prizes! Unlimited buffet, wine and beer! Sound like fun? Join us for our biggest event of the year and get ready to have a great time for a great cause. Learn more and purchase your ticket today by clicking here or calling Jill Mestler at (541) 868-3088.
RSVP by Fri, Jan 22nd and receive $20 bonus gambling chips! Or, refer a pair of friends and receive $100 bonus gambling chips. Rooms at the Valley River Inn are available that night for just $89 should you wish to stay after the event.
Let the games begin! |
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CASA Winter Training Class
A big welcome and thank-you to our newest class of Court Appointed Special Advocate trainees! After ten weeks of training from January through March, these volunteers will be sworn into service by the juvenile judge and appointed to advocate for children from our waiting list.
Jackie Cagianut - Retired, worked for 10 years with Hewlett-Packard
John Coleman - Benton County CASA program manager
Deena Cummings - Real estate agent with RE/MAX Integrity
Carlie Davis - Stay at home mother
Hallie Edwards - Customer service manager with United States Postal Service
Rita Gillihan - Home maker
Gregg Hale - Self-employed consultant in construction
Melissa Hapiuk - Stay at home mother
Denise Harchuck - Retired, former teacher's aide
Linda Lambe - Retired, previous QuickBooks manager for Patrick Environmental
Jim Larson - Insurance agent with New York Life
Karen McAlpine - Nail technician at Majesty Salon
Betsy Montoya - Retired middle school teacher
Sarah Runions - Owner/operator of MOTO GEAR LLC / GirlsMotoGear specializing in motorcycle gear and accessories for women
Anne Marie Sgarlata - Prosecutor with the Federal Department of Justice
Rick Stuber - Recently retired school superintendent
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Holiday Giving a Great Success
 With a great outpouring of community support, CASA fulfilled holiday gift wishes for 250 children this past December. So many generous individuals gave their time, energy and financial contributions to make it all possible for the kids.
A CASA volunteer wrote us: "I have to tell you how utterly surprised I was when I picked up ALL those gifts for my CASA kiddos, so generously gathered and wrapped for them by CASA. Wow!! I was so moved that I cried on the way home. Such giving!!! And what a thrill it was for me to deliver them in the name of CASA to their home. Mom was so happy and surprised. Oh, and the kids' faces simply shone with glee. Thank you to all involved."
Many thanks to all the individuals and businesses who gave donations and time to bring smiles to CASA children and their families: Bob and Laura Coll, Molly and Darrin LaJoie, Melanie and Joe Schwarte, Joel and Twylla Miller, Industrial Source National Fire Fighters, Miriam Chapman, Kellie Devore and family, Anita Zieber, Wendy Laing and PEO Group, Vickie Jefferson, Rhonda Zimlich, Providence Health Plans, Joe Stipek, Umpqua Bank, Delta Rotary, Sara Knepper and family, Courtney Abbott, Darcee Slonecker and family, Cari Ramirez, Ted Bushek, Bev Mayhew, Todd Huffman and family, Tristyne Hoffman, Liane Richardson, Randi Harrison, Life Technologies, Comcast, Barbara Olson 4H Group, Jones and Roth, KPD Insurance, RE/MAX Integrity, Precision Funding, Cathy Fenstermacher, Jeanine McGraw, Pacific Continental Bank, Dena Peterson and her Girl Scout Troop, Kristin Forrest and family, Connie Caldwell, Eugene Active 20/30 Club, Tommye and Larry Martinez, Nancy DeCamp, Milt and Shirley Watson, Teresa Hood, Kathy Juhlin, Kieran Walsh, Julie Morris, Katie Vanderfod, Jenilyn Floyd, Diane Moore, Lisa Tucker, Nan Laurence, Tracy Ellis, First Baptist Church, and Connie Wonham. |
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Foster Care Safety Team Finalizing Recommendations
The statewide Foster Care Safety Team chaired by CASA's Executive Director Megan Shultz has developed a preliminary draft of recommendations to prevent future of abuse of Oregon's children living in foster care. Over the last several weeks, these recommendations have been tested with the following stakeholders groups: DHS Staff, Foster Parents, CASA Staff, CRB Members, Judges, Attorneys, Law Enforcement, the Child Welfare Advisory Committee and most importantly former foster youth. The committee reconvened after gathering feedback from these groups to begin to incorporate that information into final recommendations.
These recommendations should be finalized by the end of January and will be presented to the legislature and Erinn Kelley-Siel, Assistant Director of DHS Children, Adults & Families Division. Ms. Kelley-Siel commissioned the committee to do this work and her intention is to implement the recommendations system wide. | |
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We hope you've enjoyed the Winter 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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