|
A Permanent Home
CASA for Children purchases new facility
In 2003, CASA for Children received an estate gift totaling nearly $600,000. The donor's desire was to help children in her community, and her gift has been a significant blessing in helping us fulfill our mission to "provide trained volunteer Advocates to represent the best interests of abused and/or neglected children."
Throughout the past several months our Board of Directors has had several discussions regarding this use of these funds. At the same time, we have explored new office space opportunities that will reduce monthly expenses and place us in closer proximity to the Staunton/Augusta County Court house where approximately 71% of our CASA cases are appointed.
We are excited to announce that we discovered a property that is perfect for our program! In June 2011, our board initiated the purchase of this new property using funds from the estate gift. We hope to settle and move into the new space by November.
Ribbon Cutting and Open House
The new office is located in downtown Staunton at 119 West Frederick St.
We are hosting an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 7th. We kick off this event with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30am, and an Open House from 11:30am to 6:30pm. All are welcome to join us for this celebration event. Please RSVP by November 30.
|
|
"O brave new world, that has such people in't!"
- The Tempest V.i
The American Shakespeare Center recently donated 60 complimentary tickets for our Volunteer Advocates as a gift for playing the role of a child advocate (an in-kind donation totaling over $4,000)! Active volunteer advocates received 2 complimentary tickets to one of the amazing productions performed at the beautiful Blackfriar's Playhouse in Staunton. The Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theatre. Please visit their website to learn more about their upcoming shows.
|
|
Painting CASA's "Casa"
United Way Day of Caring
With paint brushes and tools in hand, over 30 community members helped transform CASA's new office in preparation of our big move. These volunteers were part of United Way of Greater Augusta's Day of Caring during the weekend of September 9th.
Thank you, United Way for organizing the volunteers and to all the volunteers from the following churches/companies:
- Columbia Gas
- Staunton Seventh Day Adventist
- Waynesboro Seventh Day Adventist
- Bethel Seventh Day Adventist
- Miricle of Life Church
Thank you to Augusta Paint and Decorating Company for generously giving significant discounts on supplies!
|
|
"A Dose of Reality"
CASA Volunteers Tour Local Jail
On September 20th, Middle River Regional Jail's Program Director, John Lilly hosted a tour for a group of CASA volunteers. Below is recount of that experience by volunteer, Robert Bedell.
We decided to join several CASA volunteers last week at the Middle River Regional Jail for a great tour. What a dose of reality that was! We spent over an hour inside the walls and transited through many thick metal doors which had to be unlocked from a remote central command. Felt claustrophobic on several occasions, especially when I found myself in a holding cell. We spent several minutes at the visitors area, and while I am not unfamiliar with that venue having seen it on the tely and in films many times (metal stools bolted to the floor, thick glass through which one may view an inmate and the signature phones through which one must converse) it was sobering to experience the scene in person. Visitor sessions are permitted but once a week and must not extend beyond a fifteen minute limit.
Our tour guide, John Lilly, was extremely thorough and answered our many questions patiently and completely. Most helpful to me was his description of the protocol which would be required if a CASA volunteer needed to visit a prisoner. When I emerged from the immaculate and clinically clean jail, I looked to the heavens and uttered, "Ah, sweet freedom."
Robert Bedell and his wife Meredith are working together on their first case in Lexington/Rockbridge.
|
|
2010/2011 at a Glance
54 CASA Volunteers were utilized to provide child advocacy to 100 child abuse/neglect victims. They contributed 1,549.84 hours and traveled 14,191.4 miles. Our volunteers provide direct services to our child clients by conducting extensive interviews, gathering academic/medical/psychological data, performing announced and unannounced home visits, writing monthly activity reports and detailed court reports, communicating regularly with various professionals, and attending court hearings.
18 new volunteers participated in the Initial Volunteer Training sessions throughout the year. Our 36-hour training program covers topics such as Dynamics of Child Abuse and Neglect, Advocate Responsibilities, Family Violence, Cultural Competence, Permanency Planning, Accessing Services and Court Proceedings.
June marked the 17th year anniversary for our program, and we have successfully retained the employment of our full-time Volunteer Supervisor for 6.5 years, full-time Office Support Specialist for 3 years, and our Executive Director for 1 year.
In November we received approval to use rent-free office space in Rockbridge Area Community Service Board building (Lexington, VA). This was the first step in opening a satellite office for that region. In June, 2011, National CASA awarded our program with an expansion grant to hire a new part time Advocate Manager, Trina Welsheimer, for the Covington/Alleghany County and Lexington/Rockbridge County regions.
Four community partners hosted separate events to increase awareness of our program and funds for our program. Throughout the year,3 universities collaborated with our agency to also increase awareness. James Madison University students designed/produced a brochure, a new website and a promotional video. Washington and Lee University students distributed our program information throughout the Lexington community, which resulted in several new prospective volunteers who attended our fall 2010 training classes. Averett University MBA students developed a marketing/awareness plan and are assisting us in the execution of this plan in 2012.
|
|
Grantors and Friends of CASA
Below is a list of the generous grantors/supporters who believe in what we do for children in our community: - American Shakespeare Center
- Augusta Community Health Foundation
- Augusta Home Builders Association
- CAPSAW
- Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge
- Department of Criminal Justice Services
- Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services
- Dominion Resources
- E.C. Wareheim Foundation
- Family Children and Trust
- Foundation for Roanoke Valley
- National CASA Association
- Rockbridge Community Foundation
- United Way of Greater Augusta
- United Way of Rockbridge
- Victim's of Crime Acts (Department of Social Services)
|
|
 A big "THANK YOU" to George Bowers Grocery in Staunton for providing refreshments during our Fall Advocate Training classes. |
|
Advocate Institute
Juvenile Court System
Oct 11th 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Memorial Baptist Church, Staunton
Everyone is invited to learn about the following:
- Court Process: The timeline for a J&DR case (Emergency Removal to Final Hearing).
- Court Forms: The purpose of the Petition, Affidavit, Summons, etc.
- Elements of a CASA Court Report that are beneficial to the Judge and attorneys
Presented by Judge Anita Filson and DSS Attorney James Glick. Please RSVP.
|
What others are saying...
"As a Child Protective Services Worker, I am often required to shift my time from one crisis to another. Having CASA on a case provides me with a sense of security because I know that the family is being followed by professional, diligent volunteers. In my experience, CASA volunteers are able to dedicate extra time and energy on a case, which is why I have requested CASA be appointed on several high risk cases." - Kelly B. of the Rockbridge-Buena Vista-Lexington Area Social Services
|
Volunteers Needed
Interested in helping with a small project or a CASA event? Below are few ways you can help: - Moving CASA's Office: volunteers and trucks needed to help pack and move our office to our new location. (Interested?)
- CASA's Got Talent: Join our creative team to help plan and execute this fun event. (Interested? )
|
CASA for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
|
|
CASA Staff
Michael Nay
Executive Director
Cathy Ballew
Advocate Manager
Shelly Reitenauer
Office Support Specialist
Trina Welsheimer
Advocate Manager
|
|
