CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Ava A.

Role: Coordinator of the Washtenaw County Trial Court CASA Program


What interested you about the CASA Program?

The potential to intervene with children and stop the cycle of abuse and neglect that occurs in families over generations. It was also an opportunity to develop some new skills in administration of a Social Work program.


Tell us a little bit about your previous Work and/or Volunteer Experience and/or Education.

Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

I worked as a medical social worker at Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System for many years. I did adult medical social work for a dialysis company and did Substance Abuse Therapy with women prisoners at Camp Brighton, a minimum security facility for women which has now been closed down.

I was also a therapist at The Home of New Vision, a residential treatment program in Ann Arbor for women coming from jail for substance abuse-related crimes. Believe it or not, my work with women with substance abuse issues, especially in the prison system, was some of the most rewarding I've done.


Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I'm an avid dance fan (ballet and jazz) and studied dance in my 20's and 30's (which is now a while ago!). I also love to read and exercise.

A fun fact about me is that I was at Woodstock!


What is your favorite quote of all time?

I don't know if it's my favorite of ALL time, but here's one I like:

"You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi


How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I actually had not heard about it before I was approached by the director of the Juvenile Court, Linda Edwards Brown, who was a friend of mine, about the court's desire to develop and grow their CASA Program. I applied for the position of volunteer coordinator and the rest is history!

Washtenaw County CASA Success Story

source: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home/tourism/mhc-sports-heading1.jpg

A 17 year old, who was homeless due to parental abandonment, managed to graduate high school and was offered a sports scholarship to a major public university. Due to her circumstances, she was unable to follow through on the steps necessary to pin down the scholarship.

However, with the assistance of her CASA volunteer, she applied to a community college (nearby the major public university), applied for financial aid, and located a place to live in a timely fashion so she was able to start the fall semester.

She now practices with the major public university sports team. She hopes to eventually transfer schools, and perhaps be able to take advantage of the scholarship previously offered to her.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Sade B.

Role: Friends of CASA Board Member

What interested you about the CASA Program?

I grew up in the Michigan foster care system. My childhood experiences in the system has uniquely shaped my perspective on the sensitive issues that most foster children encounter. I thoroughly enjoy and appreciate working with disadvantaged youth, so when I heard about the CASA program, I wanted to find out how I could get involved.

Tell us a little bit about your current and previous work and/or volunteer experience and/or education.

I am currently a senior at the University of Michigan. I am pursuing a dual Bachelors of Arts in English and Sociology, with a sub-concentration in Social Inequality. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to volunteer with several community organizations in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area. However, one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences took placed when I volunteered at Marvin L. Winans Academy for the Fine and Performing Arts in the fall of 2006.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I attend Second Baptist Church of Ann Arbor and I sing in one of the choirs. I am not a singer at all, but I enjoy praising God in any way that I can. I also love to shop! I am a pretty big fan of James Patterson. He is the best American suspense writer of all time.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"Change began with the Action of One."

I am not sure who said it, but I love it!

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I worked at the Non-Profit Enterprises at Work (NEW) during the summer of 2007. My co-workers were discussing the state of foster care in Michigan. I offered some of my insights about the subject and my co-worker told me about Friends of CASA and a bit about CASA, and the rest is history!
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Do you have a question and/or a comment regarding this profile? Please click on the "Comments" link below this post. Thank you!

CASA Holiday Party, 12-20-07

Contributing Writer: Nancy Kelley

An energetic and cheerful group of CASA volunteers, Friends of CASA board members, Washtenaw County CASA supervisors, and supporters gathered to share some holiday cheer and exchange some very interesting gifts!

Yummy home-cooked cookies were only topped by "re-gifted" items distributed through the white elephant gift exchange.

All started calmly until the "Winter Cactus" potted plant was opened - a real treasure - which, after receiving many "oohs and aaahhhs" was stolen/exchanged several times until the final gift was gifted. I believe the real treasure of the evening had to be the "re-gifted" pair of earrings that blinked and sparkled and required batteries!

The evening proved to be a great opportunity for a group of people who share a strong passion for serving the foster children of Washtenaw County to share some time together, get to know one another, and support our common cause.

I'm already looking forward to the 2008 CASA Holiday White Elephant Gift Exchange!

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Contributing Writer: Ava Adler

Here is a sampling of the delicious food brought in by the guests: Broccoli salad, potato salad, fresh-baked oatmeal chocolate chip and white chocolate chip cookies, and candy made of pretzels, "hugs", and M&Ms.

We exchanged gifts and played a grab bag game where each new person could "steal" gifts previously picked. Gifts included a pair of ornament earrings that light up, a black Nine West purse, a clock with picture holders, matching glasses with red trim, a pin which included a red feather in its design, and a Christmas cactus plant. The clock, the plant, and the purse exchanged hands.

Finally, party guests played a fun game called "Catch Phrase."

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Contributing Writer: Marianne Clauw

I thought a memorable series of moments were Nancy K. and Gini H. trying to teach the rest of [the party guests] "Catch Phrase," and the concept of tossing the game controller to the other team - sort of a hot potato concept.

We were definitely slow learners, and kept punching all the wrong buttons and messing up the game. But Gini and Nancy persevered.

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Please check out the CASA Holiday Party photo album (located at the right column of this blog) and video snippets of the party at the CASAWashtenaw YouTube Channel.

Do you have questions or comments regarding the CASA Holiday Party? Please click on the "Comments" link below and tell us what you think!

Happy New Year, Washtenaw County CASA Community!

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

Image Source: http://www.digi-hound.com/wp/img_wp2/fireworks.jpg

As we enter an exciting new year, Friends of CASA would like to extend an invitation to the Washtenaw County CASA community (CASA Program and Friends of CASA volunteers, staff, and individuals passionate about the CASA cause) to contribute articles, commentaries, and/or pictures of CASA-related news and events to post on the blog. We welcome your contribution and support!!

Our goal is to generate a conversation around CASA-related issues within our community, and we need your help! Please e-mail Friends of CASA (admin@casawashtenaw.org) your idea/article and we will respond as soon as possible!