October 2011

Half of Dueling Pianos Benefits CASA Kids!
Join Spike Blake and Johnny's Tavern for Music and Fun, and Fundrais
Dueling Piano’s performer Spike Blake and Johnny’s Tavern are teaming up to give CASA children a holiday to remember!  Join in the fun and entertainment with Spike as he performs as Half of Dueling Pianos at:

Johnny’s Tavern
8262 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS

Friday, November 25, 2011
The show starts at 8 p.m., but arrive early to get a seat!  
No cover charge.

Donations will support our Adopt-A-CASA gift drive that reaches more than 200 CASA children.  For many children, these are their only Christmas gifts. 

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Adopt-A-CASA for the Holidays
The Adopt-A-CASA program provides gifts and clothing for the holidays for children we serve. If you would like to bring hope to an abused or neglected child this holiday season, please contact Nina. You can also make a donation to CASA to help provide gifts for children this holiday season.

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering to assist with the CASA Kids Holiday Party, or you or your company/organization would like to help sponsor toys, food or a booth at the party, please contact Nina at 913.715.4042.

Friends of CASA Upcoming Activities
Have you ever wanted to do more for CASA but knew your time and/or resources were limited?  Friends of CASA allows you to support CASA by volunteering when and how often you choose.  Select from a range of activities offered each month.  Membership fee is $50 per year and includes a Friends of CASA shirt to wear at any activities. 

Upcoming activities take place in the CASA office and include: 

 

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Fast Stats: Thru 3rd Quarter 2011
• CASA has served 393 abused and neglected children
• 172 CASA volunteers have provided services to 190 families
• CASA has trained 45 new volunteers in 2011 training sessions
• A total of 320 court reports have been submitted by CASA volunteers
• Staff and volunteers have attended 370 court hearings
• CASA has 190 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.  Thank you for your support!

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  Named Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Beneficiary  
Dine Out to Support the Cause!
 
Quality area restaurants invite you and your family to
Dine Out for Kids
from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
on Wednesday evening, November 16^th. 

A percentage of the proceeds for the evening will benefit the Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, a great partner to CASA and many other local charitable organizations.  The list of participating restaurants is still developing!  Check the Olathe City website for a finalized list.
 
Current Participants (Olathe Locations) Include:
Bolillo Fresh Mex                         Golden Corral
Buffalo Wild Wings                       Jose Pepper’s
Culver’s                                       Pizza Hut
Dodge City Distillery                     Ruby Tuesday
Downtown Diner                           Salty Iguana
Firehouse Subs

The next conversation is Thursday November 10 from 5:30-6:30pm.. This event is free and refreshments are provided. Please RSVP to Janel. 

National CASA Reading List
Follow the link to see the new National CASA Book List. Books are briefly described and categorized by topics including abuse, cultural competency and working with children.

Annual Campaign Mailing
Would you like to help with Annual Campaign? The mailing will be put together starting Monday, Nov. 7 at 11am through Wednesday the 9th. If you would like to help, please let Alyssa Perbeck know via email or at 715-4035.

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Teens Today: Strategies for Changing Bullying Behaviors (3 CEUs)
Sponsored by: Wyandotte Children’s Services Coordinating Council in collaboration with Mental Health America of the Heartland.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, approximately 20% of U.S. students are bullied with some frequency. Teens who are bullied are more likely to have low self-esteem, feel unwell, develop depression, and think about suicide. Teen bullies are more likely to vandalize and steal property, drink alcohol, smoke, be truant or drop out from school, and carry a weapon. By learning to recognize bullying behaviors and proper intervention techniques, caring adults can make a difference in the lives of these teens.

Randy J. Wiler is a 34-year law enforcement veteran, previously serving as the Chief of Police for seven years at the Marysville, Kansas Police Department. Mr. Wiler is the director of the Kansas Bullying Prevention Program and founding vice-president of the International Bullying Prevention Association. 

Training Objectives:

• Recognize bully/victim violence and bullying tendencies
• Gain awareness of the attitudes of children who bully and insight into bully/victim violence
• Explore intervention and interview methods
• Develop strategies to empower, redirect, and change bullying behaviors

Place and Time:
West Wyandotte Library
1737 N. 82nd Street
Kansas City, KS 66112
Friday, November 18, 2011
1 pm to 4 pm

Registration: $35.00 - Please register before November 11th by contacting Amy Copeland at 913-281-2221, ext. 110 or acopeland@mhah.org. Participants will receive a certificate for 3 credit hours of continuing education units (3 CEU).
 

Attention all CASA volunteers!
It’s Time for Adopt-A-CASA!
The Junior League of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, Thetas, Monticello United Methodist Church, PCG and many other companies and individuals would like to Adopt-A-CASA child for the holidays! 

What We Need From You:
For each child you serve, we need their Name, Age, Gender, Shirt Size, Pant Size, and a Wish List of 4 to 5 items. We also need the Name, Address and Phone Number for their placement. Please provide this information to Nina by Nov. 15.

We will contact you once the gifts have arrived so you may pick up the items for delivery to your CASA Kids in time for the Holidays.

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering to assist with the CASA Kids Holiday Party, or you or your company/organization would like to help sponsor toys, food or a booth at the party, please contact Nina 913.715.4042.

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Fostering Strategies for Change:
2nd Annual Regional Conference
November 29th & 30th  |  Westin Crown Center  |  KC, MO
Register now for 2 days of learning, collaborating and networking!  This regional conference is focused on  improving and integrating services for children and families. $125 for 2 days of training. Visit this website for more information.

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