September 2011

Thank you for your Generous Support!
Hoops & Barley Ball Earns $78,000 for CASA Kids
On Friday, September 23rd, CASA celebrated with 275 friends and donors at the Hoops & Barley Ball. To accommodate a growing interest in the annual fundraiser, this year’s location was moved to the College Basketball Experience in the Kansas City Power & Light District.

The auction event brought together numerous corporate partners who helped to underwrite the evening, including Performance Contracting Group as Presenting Sponsor. Wearing their favorite team apparel, guests enjoyed a casual night of competition, game-day dining stations, and had access to the College Basketball Hall of Fame. The evening also included a silent auction and a $25,000 grand prize drawing opportunity. A giving tree where proceeds directly benefited CASA kids and the continuation of ongoing programming was also on-site. Entertainment for the evening was available through many experience game booths offered at the venue. 
 
“The new location in the College Basketball Experience brought a bit of friendly competition and renewed energy to our annual event,” says Alyssa Perbeck, CASA’s Development Director. “We were excited to see such great interest in the new atmosphere.”

CASA would like to thank presenting sponsor PCG , as well as lead sponsors Lentz Clark Deines and Lockton Companies.  We also thank the many other corporate partners and friends for success of the evening.  

Didn't Make The Party? Visit The CASA Giving Tree

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Meet Our New Volunteers!

These brand new advocates just graduated from training on
September 29th. They enjoyed a graduation feast
provided by the Friends of CASA.

Back Row: Judge David Hauber, Kelly Krehbiel, Joann Kinney, Tess Howell, Crystal Gatewood, Kelsey Stappert, Marsha Brannies
Middle Row: Michelle Magee, Megan DeBoom, Susan Waxman, Sharenda Mills, Barbara Ray
Front Row: Alicia Ann Armstrong Crass, Carrie Simpson, Alisha Vincent, Maria Garcia


Friends of CASA Upcoming Activities
Friends of CASA is hosting child-centered and hospitality activities for current and newly joined members. Friends of CASA champions CASA children and their volunteer advocates by hosting events that enrich children’s lives and recognize the dedication of CASA volunteers.
 
Upcoming activities include: 

All activities take place in the CASA Office. For more information about Friends of CASA or to RSVP for upcoming activities contact Nina Kimbrough-Smith at 913-715-4042 or nkimbrough-smith@casajwc.com.
 

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  Unified Government Supports CASA
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County’s recently approved 2012 Budget includes $30,000 for the Wyandotte County CASA program.  The effort was led by CASA Board of Directors President Maggie Bessenbacher and promoted by board members Kerry Cosgrove and Janet Morgan, both residents of Wyandotte County.  Special thanks to Administrative Judge Wayne R. Lampson, and Commissioner Mark Holland, who supported the request.  Begun in 2005, CASA has advocated for 270 abused and neglected children of Wyandotte County. 

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  "In Good Company" - Members Spotlight   
These companies care about kids!
Here’s more about their work:
 
Lockton is the world's largest privately owned, independent insurance brokerage firm. Clients across the globe count on Lockton for risk management, insurance and employee benefits. With a strong record of giving back, the company contributed more than $4.5 million in sponsorships and charitable support last year. To learn more, visit www.lockton.com.  

Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm. Representing virtually all design disciplines, the Professional Services Management Journal named Burns & McDonnell one of just six engineering firms in North America to receive its Premier Award for Client Satisfaction. Committed to community and improving the quality of life, the Burns & McDonnell Foundation focuses its efforts on the United Way, science, technology, engineering and math initiatives. To learn more, visit www.burnsmcd.com.
 
Would you like to join the Club? Find out more at www.casajwc.org or contact Alyssa Perbeck at 913.715.4035.

 
 

This one-hour program includes information on CASA's mission and history, local child abuse statistics, the role of volunteers, and a story from an active CASA advocate. 

The next conversation is Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 from Noon to 1pm. This event is free and refreshments are provided. Please RSVP to Janel. 

Do you serve older kids?
Check out this story from Represent Magazine
As an African-American male who grew up in foster care, Orlando feels a double stigma. But he's determined to succeed in college. 
>> Read Orlando's story

Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch Outing Opportunity
Variety Children’s Charity and Parenting Children With Special Needs Magazine would like to invite you and your kiddos to:

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch
17607 NE 52^nd Street
Liberty, Missouri
Tuesday, October 11; 1–3 pm. 

This is a free outing where you will get to tour the farm, have a hayride, and each child will receive a little pie pumpkin to take home.  Your kids will be able to play on the equipment, enjoy the petting barn, and so much more.  If you are interested in attending, please RSVP the number of children and adults to Deborah at varietykc@gmail.com.
www.carolynscountrycousins.com

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Online Book Club Through National CASA
National CASA has launched an online book club to discuss the best-selling novel The Language of Flowers, which focuses on a young woman who is emancipating from foster care at age 18 and learning to navigate the adult world. The first of three planned discussions of the book will be taking place on Wednesday, October 5, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on our The National CASA Facebook page. Local CEU's available for participation.


Upcoming Inservice - Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE)
The upcoming workshop is FULL but if you are still interested in learning about this topic, please let Janel know. If we have enough interest, we may be able to offer it again.

Workshops for parents and adults who work with children.
CARE Workshops were developed for parents and caregivers of children in the community who have experienced stressful or traumatic events in their lives, children with behavior problems, or parents who want to strengthen the relationship with their child.  The goal of CARE is to strengthen the adult-child relationship and increase children’s positive behaviors.

Updates from the CASA Office

• We have done an office shuffle!  DeeAnn now has ONE phone number!  913-715-4041.  So if you need her, this is where you will find her!
• Darcy has a new schedule.  Her new office hours are now
  • 8:30am to 5pm on Monday and Wednesday
  • 8:30am to noon on Friday

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Update about Hearing Coverage
We are making efforts to reduce mileage expenses, maximize our time and productivity by sharing court coverage. The program coordinators are now each covering court hearings one day per week.   Darcy will cover Monday hearings, Dee Ann will cover Tuesday hearings and Amorita will cover Wednesday hearings.  Because there are fewer hearings on Thursday and Friday, each coordinator will continue to cover their own hearings on those days.

You will continue to do all of the necessary footwork with your coordinator for any info regarding court reports, advice, etc. This schedule will also help us increase our time in the office to assist our volunteers and process paperwork!! Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.

Coffee Shop Discussion Groups
Meet with other CASA advocates and discuss individual cases, while earning 1.5 continuing education hours.

 

For Seasoned CASA Advocates:  Trained prior to 2010.

To RSVP email Janel Apps Ramsey or call 913.715.4032