Detroit Google 101 Event

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

On June 4, 2008, CASA of Washtenaw County and NEW's npServ co-hosted an event to present live demonstrations of a range of Google applications offered free for nonprofits. CASA of Washtenaw County case studies were used to show how Google tools specifically benefit nonprofits' needs, whether it is enhanced outreach, higher productivity, or simply doing more with less. Topics such as online advertising, website enhancement and hosting, word processing and office applications, donations processing, shared calendars event ticket sales and processing, and collaborative document management were discussed during the event.

The Detroit Google training brought together 50 nonprofit representatives at Techtown, representatives who recognize the value of using free technology to improve operations of nonprofits. This is the second event hosted by CASA of Washtenaw County and NEW's npServ, an event that was also made possible by our event partners: Hannan House and NEW Detroit. The first one was held in Ann Arbor in March, 2008.

According to the audience feedback, the event was a huge success! It was evident that the techphiles and techphobes alike simply got it.

For pictures of the event, please check out the photo album below.

June 7-10 2008 National CASA Conference

Contributed by:

Ferlie Yruma

The National CASA Conference provides a unique opportunity for members of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/ Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) programs across the U.S. to socialize, listen, and learn from each other.

The theme of the 2008 Conference is "How are the Children?" Attendees of the 2008 National CASA Conference will gain a greater understanding of their role in improving the condition of abused and neglected children and obtain tools to further advocate for permanence to stop the cycle of abuse.

For more information about the 2008 National CASA Conference, please click here.

In 2007, two members of our Washtenaw County CASA Program, Virginia H. and Ava A., attended the National CASA Conference at Orlando, Florida. The following excerpt talks about Virginia H.'s experience at the conference:
___________________________________________________________

2007 National CASA Conference

By: Virginia H.

The National Conference in 2007 was attended by representatives from several CASA programs in Michigan – about 20 persons in all. Ava A. and Gini H. attended from the Washtenaw CASA program.

The conference was held in beautiful and sunny Orlando, Florida. Of course the location offered many attractions and pleasant distractions – but the conference agenda itself offered hefty competition to the distractions.

A pre-conference day offered an in-depth focus on issues of poverty and understanding and intervening within the culture of poverty as well as community-based strategies to break the cycle of poverty – from an individual as well as a system-level perspective.

There were great workshops offered in several different tracts, designed to meet the needs and perspectives of Board Members, volunteers, staff and, in many instances, all of these perspectives. Several topics involved program issues and challenges; while others informed and challenged participants to become involved on emerging issues as well as current ‘hot topics’.

There were leadership development opportunities; tutorials on the “new” training curriculum; technical assistance available for data base applications, media and marketing strategies; and recruitment and retention.

There were also very informative sessions on heavy-weight issues such as:

• Over representation of African American youth in the Child Welfare system;
• Understanding the cycle of sexual abuse (focusing on both victims as well as perpetrators); when it is appropriate to – and why/ how-to pursue the termination of parental rights.
• Cultural competence - making your program culturally responsive;
  
• Reaching out to dads - developing programs of positive male role models; and
  
• Sessions led by persons formerly in the welfare system that had the experience of a CASA having significant impact on their lives.

In addition to workshops and sessions, there were Luncheons with speakers of national importance and supportive of CASA:

• Susan Taylor of Essence Magazine,
  
• William C. Bell of the Casey Foundation;
  
• Jonathan Kozol, author, educator and activist;
  
• Michael Piraino, CEO of Nat’l CASA) and
  
• Some VERY impressive and inspirational former CASA youth.

Dinners and luncheons also featured dancers and other performers from the local area. Vendors abounded with delightful and informational wares. At the end of most days, it was all one could do to make it to the pool and a pool-side repast!!

The 2008 Conference promises to offer equivalent delights unique to the Nation’s capital – as only the Capital can offer.

Photo Source

CASA Success Story

Biological brothers, who were split up, were able to keep in touch because their CASA volunteer was willing to drive between Detroit and Marshall for them to have contact with each other.

The CASA volunteer would bring the younger boy, who was in foster care in Marshall, down to Detroit for his orthodontist appointments (which had begun when he was in residential placement there). They would then pick up the older brother, who lived in Wyandotte, and go to dinner, the park, etc.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Christy W.

Role: CASA Volunteer


Why did you choose to be involved with this organization?

I have been looking for a while to find a volunteer position that gave me a chance to have hands-on experience with a neglected or abused child. When I heard about CASA in a college course, I was intrigued, and looking into it further only assured me that I had made the right choice.

Work Experience/Volunteer Experience/Education

Currently, I am a full time student at Eastern Michigan University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Women's Studies. I am hoping to continue my studies and eventually branch out into the non-profit world. I also spend some of my time volunteering with the Safehouse Center.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself

I am very interested in women and child advocacy. I am an alumnus of Delta Zeta. I am currently Hospitality Chair of National Association of Career Women. I am also involved in the Ann Arbor Coalition Against Rape.

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I first heard about CASA in a Psychology course mentioned by a Child Advocacy Center Speaker.

CASA Success Story

A two year old was reunited with her biological father after the CASA volunteer was able to give the judge some perspective and feedback on exaggerated allegations of neglect that her foster mother was making about the care she got during visits with her Dad.

The child had been living with her foster mom since birth and the foster mom was having separation issues.

Photo courtesy of Calgary Counselling Centre.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Shelley S.

Role: CASA Volunteer


Why did you choose to be involved with this organization?

I was touched by the stories presented on the website and felt that the work of a CASA volunteer could offer assistance to children who are victims of a chaotic social environment.

Work Experience/Volunteer Experience/Education:

Physician

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

Yoga, Biking

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

Browsing the internet.

CASA of Washtenaw County Invites You...

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

UPDATE:

We would like to thank everyone who joined us at our first annual Pancake Supper! We especially would like to thank our CASA volunteers and the First United Methodist Church Youth Group for volunteering their time for a good cause!

Please check out the Pancake Supper photo album (right column of this blog) as well as video snippets of the event (CASAWashtenaw YouTube Channel).
__________________________________________________
What: Join us for a Pancake Supper!
Who's Invited: Everyone
Where: First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor
(120 S. State Street, Ann Arbor)
When: April 13th, 5 - 7 pm

$7 Adults
$5 Students
Children under 5 eat free!

We accept cash and check only at the door.

Skip the lines.
Buy tickets online!
Go to www.casawashtenaw.org/pancakesupper.

Washtenaw County CASA Success Story

Although reunification was the goal, the Mother was not making progress in what she needed to do to get her children back.

The CASA Volunteer assigned to the case, who has a Master's degree in Social Work and previous work experience in the child welfare system, observed the Mom and determined that the Mom was depressed. The CASA volunteer asked for an evaluation of this issue.

Even though the Mom's attorney was defensive towards the request, a referral was made to the reunification program, and the Mom was evaluated for depression. She was found to be depressed and was put on medication.

She has made a turn-around and is now making good progress towards getting her children back.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Sondra S.

Role: CASA Volunteer, Friends of CASA Volunteer


What interested you about the CASA Program?

My experiences working with Children's Advocacy have inspired me to become increasingly involved in the issues surrounding child welfare. When I heard of the opportunity to advocate for abused and neglected children, my perspectives on ethics and social justice were supported by the role of a CASA volunteer. This position to advocate and empower today's youth was an opportunity that I was immediately interested in.

Work Experience/Volunteer Experience/Education:

I am currently a senior at the University of Michigan School of Literature, Science, and the Arts. I am pre-law with a concentration in biopsychology. Throughout my time as an undergraduate, I have had the opportunity to become involved in a number of experiences that have helped to shape my interest.

This past summer, I had the opportunity of working as an Intern in the Pediatric Advocacy Clinic at the University of Michigan. This position exposed me to a number of advocacy cases that I worked on to organize and maintain for the law clinic.

I have also had the the chance to become a member of the Children's Advocacy Initiative at the University of Michigan Mott's Children's Hospital. As part of this program, I have worked to speak up for kids by communicating with legislators regarding improvements in the health and well-being of the children in Michigan.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I love to travel and I am currently working on becoming proficient in Spanish! I enjoy learning about different cultures and plan to someday go abroad. I also love taking pictures and going to concerts.

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I was speaking with a friend of mine (who is also pre-law at the University of Michigan) when he mentioned I should look into CASA. We were discussing the different areas of law that we were interested in when he said that CASA seemed like it would be a great fit for me.

A Child Speaks: Who Am I?

Who Am I?

There was once a tree full of apples which was my family.
Then one day I fell off.
Some grownups came and put me in a pear tree.
Then I fell off.
A little boy came and put me in a tree with apples, pears, and
peaches.
Then I fell off.
Then I sat there forever wondering, who will pick me up next?
Where will I go?
Will I go where I belong?
Or will I waste my whole life living with fruits who I don't belong
with because they can't encourage me to accomplish my dreams, or
can't tell me who I am because they don't know who I am.
It's up to you.
Who am I?

Danielle Marie B. - age 14,
in foster care (source)