Remember your fourth grade Valentine's Day party? You chose just the right perforated valentines, put them in flimsy envelopes, and wrote a special note to each classmate...Imagine being a child in foster care. Chances are you have been in multiple schools in just a few years. You are always that "new kid" nobody knows. Maybe you are the only kid who didn't get a valentine this year. Read More

Our last CASA Lake County training graduates surround Juvenile Judge Sarah Lessman (center to the left of cut-out) after she addressed the group about the important role of a CASA in the life of an abused or neglected child. Their colleague Judge Valerie Ceckowski (not pictured) is also an ardent supporter of our volunteer advocates. Kathy Gordon, GAL, Lindsay Johnson, GAL, Kristen Robinson, PD, and Attorney Paul Novak also attended the presentation. This class was sworn in Thursday, January 30.

Eleven trained, compassionate volunteers join a family of advocates who help our most vulnerable children.

(From L to R) Front Row -- Pam Wallach (Buffalo Grove), Laurel Marr (Buffalo Grove), Gail Lifshitz (Buffalo Grove), Amy Stoll (Winnetka), Cristen Forrester (Wilmette).
(From L to R) Back Row -- Cathy Ross (Glencoe), Ann Ross (Glencoe), Judge Ceckowski, Jamie Epstein (Vernon Hills), Elsa De Jaegher (Winnetka), Jean-Jacques De Jaegher (Winnetka), Jeff Luckett (Hawthorn Woods), Suzanne Cash (Trainer). Not Shown -- Jerry Groen (Gurnee)