A TIME FOR THANKSGIVING
 This is a story of Thanksgiving and heartfelt gratitude to our 225 CASA Advocates who give their heart and souls to hundreds of abused and neglected children every year. This is a story about one of our extraordinary CASAs named Rose.
Right now, Rose is advocating for ten children, in three separate cases, living in five separate placements. Read More.
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In 2012 there were over 1,500 reports of abused or
neglected children in Lake County
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"ALWAYS REMEMBER CASA..."
 About ten years ago, CASA Lake County was blessed to have Drew Waitley join our family. He trained and was sworn in as an advocate and later, after his case closed, joined our board. Five years ago, before he passed away, he asked his family to "always remember CASA." Last week two big boxes arrived. They were packed with colorful and exquisitely knitted winter scarves for "our children." Mary Ann has continued to knit these priceless gifts for abused or neglected children in Lake County.
We want to thank Mary Ann for the many scarf, hat and mittens that she has hand-knitted every winter for the past five years...CASA will always remember and appreciate Drew and the Waitley family.
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In 2012 CASA Lake County's 250+ Advocates served
over 550 children in Lake County
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SUPPORT CASA LAKE COUNTY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Giving Tuesday
This December 3rd is the 2nd annual Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday is a national campaign to create a day of giving leading into the holiday season. It was established after Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a day to help support your favorite causes. Check out the Giving Tuesday FAQ.
iGive.com iGive.com is a portal where you can shop at your favorite stores and a portion of your bill will be donated to CASA Lake County. Just sign up and start shopping today.
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CASA Advocates work with children, foster parents, natural parents, the legal system, medical professionals, and teachers and school administrators to advocate for the best interests of the child
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A SORORITY OF SUPPORT
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CASA Lake County Young Professionals Board Member Alissa Trumbull, CASA Cook County Executive Director Vicky Pavlova, CASA Cook County's Director of Programs and Lead Trainer Elizabeth Keith, CASA Lake County's Director of Development and Communications Joanie Bayhack, Mary Ellen Fitzsimmons, VP of the Theta Foundation, June Kendall, VP of Theta Events and Susan Smith, VP of Public Relations.
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Happy 163rd Birthday Bettie Locke! The Chicago North Shore Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta threw a fabulous birthday party for the sorority's founding member to benefit CASA Lake County and CASA Cook County. For 27 years, the Theta Foundation has been raising funds for CASA. A heart-felt thanks to Theta alum Deborah Garmanian for hosting this lovely party in her Wilmette home.
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In 2012 CASA Lake County trained 60 new volunteer Advocates
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A MUSICAL MITZVAH FOR CASA LAKE COUNTY
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CASA Board member Sue Schmitz, CASA Advocates Janet Conlon, Lori Nevel with daughter Phoebe, board member Angela Johnson with daughter Emily (gray headband)and friends gather at the Cubby Bear in Libertyville to Karaoke for CASA.
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When Phoebe's mother asked her what she wanted to do -- for others -- in honor of her upcoming bat mitzvah, she didn't hesitate. "I want to give back to children who are less fortunate," she said. Her mother Lori, a CASA Advocate, was touched that her daughter was willing to do whatever it took to host a fun-filled evening of Karaoke at the Cubby Bear in Lincolnshire. Phoebe and her Dad walked the streets of Lake County gathering raffle prizes from Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, hair salons and more.
CASA Board Members Angela Johnson and Sue Schmitz jumped on our website to sign up for the rockin' Friday night party...Whether you could carry a note, or not, didn't matter. It was a good time for a good cause -- because of a great kid. The event raised $1,300 for CASA! Thank you, Phoebe, family and friends.
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CASA Advocates receive 40 hours of in class and in court training before they are assigned a case
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PUMPKIN POWER
 This October CASA Lake County got the best treat of all -- we won second place in the Pumpkin contest at The Shops at Deerfield Square. CASA Lake County greatly appreciates the community's contributions and the $1,500 donation from CRM Properties which will go directly to helping us reach our goal of providing a CASA for every child who needs one.
A special thank you to Chuck Malk, CEO of CRM Properties, who sponsored this effort and showed by example that local companies care about the communities and families they serve.
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CASA Advocates spend an average of 12 hours each month on their cases
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"A LIFE CHANGER"....THAT'S WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS SAY ABOUT TRAINING
 | | Front row - Nina Sorensen (Libertyville), Cecilia Milotti (Winnetka), Viola Stamm (Morton Grove), Shelley Spathis (Buffalo Grove), Trainer, Debra Lerner-Schmidt Back Row- Kristin Leonard (Antioch), Brain Jakob (Kenosha), Alya Smolsky (Buffalo Grove), Julia Foster (Lincolnshire), Judge Lessman, Judge Ceckowski, Marla Hindin (Buffalo Grove), Jane Lindstrom (Palatine), Lee Galarce (Lake Zurich) |
CASA Lake County welcomes our 6th new training class this year! The engaged and enthusiastic class focused on learning everything from what constitutes abuse or neglect in Illinois to how to write a factual and unbiased court report. Many of our Advocates say that participating in CASA Lake County's award-winning training program -- led by our dynamic duo -- Debra Lerner Schmidt and Suzanne Cash -- changes their life. Imagine how they will change the life of a child who needs them most.
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In 2012, 111 children were placed in safe are permanent homes with the help of CASA
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CASABLANCA 2014's GALA COMMITTEE GETS THE PARTY STARTED
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2014 CASABLANCA Gala Committee. Left to right: CASA Board member Joanna Lynn, Mrs. International and CASA Advocate Amy Gregorio, CASA advocates Janice Greenawalt, Jeanette White, Sherri Udany, Robin Henn, Cecile Milotti and CASA's Joanie Bayhack.
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We are thrilled to introduce...the Gala Committee of 2014! The "A Team" recently gathered in Libertyville to toast what promises to be an extraordinary event to celebrate CASA Lake County 's 20th Anniversary. Mark your calendars for May 10, 2014 at Ravina in Highland Park! CASABLANCA is back with a fabulous silent and live auction, savory dinner and get-down dancing. This year we are honored to present the Terri Zenner Award to Walgreen's Chief Diversity Officer and Author of A Chance in the World Steve Pemberton. We are also delighted to have Mary Szela, CEO of Melinta Therapeutics and CASA Board Vice President, back as our Gala Chair.
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CASA Mission
CASA is central to fulfilling society's most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child's right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.
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Stay Connected with CASA Lake County
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CASA Lake County 700 Forest Edge Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061
847-383-6260
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Help our Children Today
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 Your help can assist a child in their time of greatest need. |
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Facts you should know...
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Active Volunteers = 297
New Volunteers = 60
Children with a CASA = 563
New Cases = 82
New Children = 169
Children in Safe, Permanent Homes = 111 (20%)
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Upcoming Events
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| | CASA Holiday Open House
Friday, December 13th
1:00 to 5:30pm
700 Forest Edge Drive Vernon Hills, IL 60061
CASA Advocates, join us for homemade holiday goodies and pick up donated items for your CASA children.
RSVP to your Advocate Manager
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Save the Date
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CASAblanca Gala
May 10, 2014
at Ravinia
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