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In 2006, Nalla was 14 years old when she came into foster care due to allegations of physical abuse and medical neglect toward her siblings, as well as her mother's inability to provide stable housing for the family. CASA volunteer Julie Oyen Keller was immediately assigned to the case and has been a consistent and dedicated advocate for Nalla and her siblings ever since.
 Over the past seven years, Julie has helped Nalla grow up to become a confident advocate for herself and her younger siblings, though Julie reports that Nalla was always a very driven and ambitious young woman to begin with. When Nalla's ex-boyfriend harassed and assaulted her, slashing the tires on her car, Nalla promptly took it upon herself to file a police report, press charges, and seek a restraining order, which was granted. She also sought counseling services for herself. Julie was thrilled, but not surprised, to see Nalla refuse to be a helpless victim.
According to Julie, Nalla has always known that getting an education would be the key to breaking the cycle of poverty she saw repeating through the generations of her family. When Nalla decided she wanted to pursue a degree in criminal justice instead of continuing with her degree in sports management, she proactively consulted with her academic advisor and learned the change would add another full year to her college career. Undeterred, her resourcefulness and self-determination shone through - she transferred to Southeast Missouri State University where she could pursue a major in communications with an emphasis on criminal justice, enabling her to graduate in four years while focusing on what she now wants to pursue long-term.
Because of her determined spirit, and thanks to her stalwart CASA volunteer and supporters like you, Nalla recently aged-out of foster care as a strong, independent young woman with a bright future ahead of her.
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Be the Difference Benefit
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Windows on Washington
Presenting Sponsor:
2014 Community Superhero Award
Don Danforth III, President and co-founder of City Academy
Our special guest speaker will be Shelby Ringdahl, Miss Missouri 2013.  Shelby has adopted "CASA: Home Safe Home" as her personal platform, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, which has a 20 year history of supporting CASA programs across the country.
Please contact Dot at 314.578.7992 or [email protected] if you or your company may be interested in sponsoring this event.
If you'd like to attend the event, contact Beth at 314.552.2052 or you may view ticket prices and purchase tickets online.
Benefit Raffle Items - Need not be present to win!
Only 100 tickets will be sold for each raffle item.
Raffle tickets may be purchased online and at the event.
Paris...Ooh la la! - One week on the Ile de la Cit� next to Notre Dame in the heart of Paris. ($100 per raffle ticket)
Portland/Westmoreland Place Progressive Dinner - Experience St. Louis' famed Portland Place and Westmoreland Place neighborhoods with a special progressive dinner at three historic homes. ($100 per raffle ticket)
Hometown Sports - Enjoy a Rams suite for twelve, two Cardinals "green seats" plus golf at St. Louis Country Club and more! ($100 per raffle ticket)
More exciting items to be announced soon. Visit Benefit Raffles for complete details and to see new items as they are announced.
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MEN MATTER! "Hoops and Hops" March Madness Event
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm 
The Stage at KDHX in Grand Center
3524 Washington Ave. (63103)
Join us for FREE beer and appetizers. Then enjoy watching the regional finals of the men's NCAA basketball tournament on a giant screen!
Half of the kids in foster care are boys - only 17% of our CASA volunteers are men. Learn how you can make a difference in the life of a boy.
RSVP by Monday, March 24th to Rhonda at 314.615.2908 or [email protected].
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Kappa Alpha Theta Philanthropy Week Benefits Voices
Kappa Alpha Theta has supported National CASA and CASA programs across the country for more than 20 years. Voices is a grateful partner of the new Theta chapter at St. Louis University, which was established in November of 2013 and is already 166 members strong.
February 3rd marked the start of the SLU chapter's first-ever Philanthropy Week. Members raised over $1,500 for Voices by organizing a profit-sharing night at Pickleman's Gourmet Caf�, and selling Gus' Pretzels and more than 560 Valentines carnations on campus! During Philanthropy Week, Voices' CEO Jan Huneke also had the opportunity to speak to the group to share our mission and express our gratitude for the Thetas' outstanding generosity.
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Thanks to MAC Charitable Society for Children
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Courtesy of Margaret Rambo, Town & Style
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On January 24th Missouri Athletic Club's Charitable Society for Children held its annual dinner-dance and presented checks to its chosen beneficiaries for 2013 - Voices for Children, College Bound, and Boys Hope Girls Hope. The CSC raised more than $32,000 to split equally between the 2013 charities through various fundraising activities, including a Valentine's Ball, Tennis Exhibition and Trivia Night, as well as MAC member and employee contributions. We are so grateful to all the generous donors, and to our board member Roger Ball, who nominated us to benefit from this wonderful group's efforts!
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Approximately 1,000 St. Louis children in foster care are waiting for a CASA volunteer. No specific experience or education is required to serve as a CASA advocate - just a desire to help and a willingness to speak up for a child!
Visit How to Get Started or contact Kelly Edwards (314.615.4594 or [email protected]) for information about becoming a CASA volunteer and to reserve a spot at our upcoming information session on March 6th.
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Missouri State Tax Credits
50% Champion for Children (CFC) tax credits are available for donations of $250 or more. This includes the tax-deductible portion of Benefit tickets and sponsorships! Tax credits create an opportunity for you to direct your tax dollars to support our mission and our kids. Contact Jo Curran at [email protected] or 314.552.2430 to learn more.
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Thanks for being a champion for our children.
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To protect our children's privacy as we share their stories, fictional names
and stock photos of children are always used unless otherwise noted. |
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