CASA Clips     E-Newsletter

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April, 2010

 Promise of Hope Luncheon
Encourages Support for CASA Kids

   CASA would like to thank the more than 450 CASA friends, community partners and supporters for their attendance and participation at the April 8^th Promise of Hope Luncheon, held in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  We were extremely pleased with the turnout, as it was the largest event held in the Luncheon’s 7-year history.  Thanks also to the many table captains for their commitment.  We could not have experienced this important day without each of you. 

Keynote speaker for the event, Troy Mire, shared his “BLT plus S theory”, saying great volunteers 1) Be there, 2) Listen, 3) Trust and 4) Serve with compassion, hope and love.  This message encompasses the great work of our CASA advocates in serving abused children and we’d like to thank Troy for sharing such an important and inspiring message. 

A wonderful moment in the program was witnessing the Gieber family celebrate the recent adoption of two young children.  Both children were helped by CASA advocate Jeri Uhlmansiek after being brought into the foster care system.  The oldest, Alyssa, experienced such terrible physical abuse that early on there was uncertainty if she would survive.  Today, this bright and carefree little girl of 3 years displayed a happy spirit and lots of energy with her younger brother, Jaydyn.  Many thanks to Marvin and Linda Gieber for sharing such a wonderful moment with our attendees. 

The Promise of Hope raised nearly $25,000 in event day gifts.  Proceeds of the event will benefit local child victims of abuse or neglect and those who are in need of a CASA advocate. 

Help CASA recognize the month of April as an opportunity to be The Promise of Hope for children.  If you have yet to give this important gift, we ask that you donate toward our event goal.  Please visit CASA’s website at www.casajwc.org to contribute. 

Click hereto see a photo album of the Promise of Hope Luncheon.

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Become a Friend of CASA

Have you always wanted to participate in the work of CASA but have not had the time to become an advocate?  Are you a former CASA who wants to help but cannot give as much time as you did when you were an advocate?  Then you are a perfect candidate to become a Friend of CASA.

The Friends of CASA is a volunteer and financial partner which actively supports CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties.  As a Friend of CASA you will be asked to make a minimum annual donation of $50, help to generate community awareness and participate in various events throughout the year as a volunteer. 

The Friends of CASA is a great way to help the ongoing work of CASA while giving you the opportunity to share in this valuable and important work.  I hope that everyone who cares about CASA will become a Friend!

Glen Miles
President, Friends of CASA

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 CASA Receives Proclamation

On April 1, 2010 the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners presented CASA with an official proclamation to honor Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Chairman Annabeth Surbaugh recognized the organization and its Johnson County program for 25 years of service to victims of child abuse.  Chairman Surbaugh also acknowledged the dedication of CASA advocates and their support to children and families, encouraging those in attendance to consider the important volunteer opportunity. 

Alyssa Perbeck, CASA’s Development Director, was present to receive the proclamation and to say thank you to the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners for its continued commitment and financial support of the CASA program.

To read the full Proclamation, click here.

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CASA Joins Facebook!

CASA has joined the social networking movement!  If you have a Facebook account, please find our page and become a fan.  We are using Facebook to provide updates on upcoming events, recognition to current volunteers and links to media coverage of CASA.  You can use Facebook to educate your friends, family and others about CASA and its mission! 

You can find us by logging onto your Facebook account and searching for:  CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties.

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Fast Stats: 1^st Quarter 2010

• CASA has served 331 abused and neglected children
• 145 CASA volunteers have provided services to 170 families
• CASA is currently training 47 new volunteers in our first 2010 training sessions
• A total of 97 court reports were submitted by CASA volunteers
• Staff and volunteers attended 116 court hearings
• CASA has 176 CASA volunteers

Our mission of advocating for children continues and we need your financial support! You may give online at www.casajwc.org, or mail your donation to the CASA office.

CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties
Cloverleaf Office Park
6901 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Suite 112
Overland Park, KS 66202

Thank you for your support! 

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Kansas Judges Agree
CASA Benefits Court Decisions

Thirty five Kansas District Court Judges, whose docket includes Children in Need of Care (CINC) cases, recently responded to a survey prepared by the Kansas CASA Association. The survey asked Judges to address the CASA volunteer's contribution to the court's efficiency and the overall impact of the CASA volunteer.

All Judges responding agreed the CASA volunteers' personal knowledge about the children and their court reports are beneficial to their decision making. Judges also indicated an increase in quality (96%) and quantity (89%) of information available to the court during child abuse and neglect cases when a CASA is involved.
Other survey results:

• 92% of the judges surveyed stated that services provided to the families are monitored more frequently when a CASA has been appointed to a case.
• 96% of Judges said they view CASA's involvement as beneficial to the court and believe CASA volunteers improve the information the court receives.
• 96% also see CASA as beneficial to the children and their families.
  

One Judge commented, "CASAs are an extremely important resource available to the court. Their services have proven to be extremely valuable."

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News for CASA Volunteers                                         

Calendar of Events

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CASA offers this free monthly e-newsletter to keep friends up-to-date with success stories, events, volunteer opportunities and progress.  Feel free to forward this information to other interested people.

In This Issue

• Promise of Hope
• Become a Friend of CASA
• Proclamation Honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month
• CASA Joins Facebook
• Fast Stats 1st Quarter
• Judges Agree - CASA Beneficial
• Conversation with CASA
   

News for CASA volunteers      

•  Coffee Shop Discussion

Make a Life Long
Difference for a Child.

Visit our Website:
www.casajwc.org