A blog devoted to the Washtenaw County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Community.
This blog is administered by Washtenaw County Friends of CASA.
Please visit our website at www.casawashtenaw.org!
Pictured Above: Molly Schikora (Attorney Referee), Virginia Harmon (CASA Supervisor); Newly sworn-in CASA Volunteers – Ian S., Amy W., Fran G., Kevin G. and Nancy M.; and Ava Adler, (Coordinator of the CASA program), Washtenaw County Trial Court – Family Division.
On December 17, 2008, the Washtenaw County CASA Program swore in 5 new volunteers!
Please welcome: Kevin G., Fran G., Nancy M., Ian S., and Amy W.
Please check out the photo album below for pictures of the Swearing In Ceremony.
It has been an honor and privilege to work for such a great cause and with an incredible team. In 2008, the CASA program served 80 children and I'm confident that with the direction and leadership of the Board and staff more children will find loving, stable and permanent homes in the months to come.
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 and previous work experience in the child welfare system, observed the mom and felt that the mom's behavior indicated depression. The CASA volunteer asked that the mom be evaluated for clinical depression.
Even though the mom's attorney was defensive towards the request, a referral was made to the reunification program, and the mom was evaluated and diagnosed for depression. With the help of mental health professionals, and a regiment of effective medication, the mom made a turn-around. She is well on her way to getting her children back!
On November 15, 2008, CASA held its second annual fundraiser with great success.
The stage was set as the Washtenaw County Farm Council building transformed into a beautifully-lit celebration of children, friends, music, and autumn, complete with straw bales and pumpkins.
Nearly 300 gatherers enjoyed the line dancing, BBQ, and great items in the silent auction. Most importantly, our 2nd fundraiser was a financial success, raising almost $15,000 for CASA of Washtenaw.
“In a time of uncertainty, it’s truly uplifting to see a community come together to support a cause,” says Nikki Huang, Friend of CASA’s executive director. “We had over 100 business and individuals donate to our auction, over 30 volunteers who helped make it happen, and the support of close to 300 people who turned out.” Rockin the CASA has become the “umbrella” for Friends of CASA’s annual fundraiser. This year’s theme, “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock ‘n Roll,” featured country and rock music set to a country theme. Next year’s theme, already in the making, promises more fun and excitement. Look for an announcement and save-the-date in our next newsletter.
On Oct. 31, 2008, the wildly successful Rock the CASA concert was held at Mendelssohn Theatre. Rock the CASA is a variety show including performances by the best entertainment groups on the University of Michigan campus. Student performances included an array of comedians, a capella groups, bands, and dance groups. 100% of ticket sales benefit CASA of Washtenaw County.
Please check out the 2008 Rock the CASA Photo album below:
Thanks to Kappa Alpha Theta for providing some of the pictures! _________________________________________________________
YOU ROCK!!
CASA of Washtenaw County would like to thank the following event supporters. The concert would not have been successful without them!
SPONSOR:
Kappa Alpha Theta - Eta Chapter annually holds a variety show called Rock the CASA to raise money for CASA of Washtenaw County. For information about Kappa Alpha Theta, please check out their website: http://www.umich.edu/%7Etheta/
PERFORMERS: (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Amazin' Blue:
Amazin' Blue performers: Elise Amato, Camila Ballario, Caitlin Bloom, Jessica Bloom, Austin Chrzanowski, Joe Dimuzio, Gabriel Fazio, Bethany Felder, Lance Fletke, Andres Holder, Kirsten Knisely, Jake McClory, Adam Moskal, Peter Preonas
Amazin' Blue has a big concert on Saturday, Nov. 15th (8 PM) at Rackham auditorium. Tickets can be bought at the door or at MUTO (Michigan Union Ticket Office). They have also just released a new CD (Lost in Sound). For more information, please check out their website, www.amazinblue.org
Below is a video snippet of Amazin' Blue's 2008 Rock the CASA performance:
Cadence
Cadence performers: Michelle Chirby, Danielle Berridge, Kaylie Hanson (Co-President), Laura Thompson, Lara Leitner, Megan Argillander, Megan Avesian, Cassie Ruch, Sarah Hardy, Sophie Kruz, Sarah Schleicher, Sabrina Tharani
ComCo performers: Mallory Bradford, Alex Weatherup, Erica Ranade, Adnan Pirzada, Jamielyn Beatty, Teddi Milan, Alex Stuessy, Spencer Smith, Matthew Blinstrub, Jordan Rochelson
ComCo is University of Michigan's oldest and best improv group. For more information about Comco, please check out their website: http://www.umuac.org/comedy/index2.html
EnCore
EnCore performers: Adie Angrist, Keith Binion, Lauren Boumaroun, Gabi Brazg, Akiya Brown, Jonathan Choi, Karl Josef Co, Sasha Compère, Kevin Duong, Liane Hajduch, Tynika Johnson, Lara Leitner, Carmen Loo, Maddie Moore, Trang Nguyen, Courtney Power, Jasmine Sadler, Rachel Wehner, Lauren Wolfe, Amanda Wong, Talun Zeitoun
Below is a video snippet of EnCore's 2008 Rock the CASA performance:
The Friars
Friars performers: (1) Andrew Mueller, (2) Sean Morris, (3) Andy Ballard, (4) Drew Bollinger, (5) Danny Dunlap, (6) Abraham Heller Hiatt, (7) Alex Weatherup, (8) Eric Emeott
Below is a video snippet of The Friars's 2008 Rock the CASA performance:
FunKtion
FunKtion performers: Tomas Kim, Andrew Krebsbach, Justin Tien, Steve Lai, Anthony Baber, Terence Chua, James Dean, Vincent Giang
Loosen your hips, unhinge your joints, stretch your legs and get ready to dance. Nod your head, clap your hands, move you feet and melt with the beat as FunKtion brings you it's unique blend of fun-loving entertainment. From street corners to stage center, funKtion has been doing it right since '99. For more information about FunKtion, please check out their website: http://www.umfunktion.com/
Great Divide
Great Divide performers: Teddy Grossman-Guitar,Vocals; Jeff Leibovich-Keyboards; Joey Gaon-Lead Guitar; Josh Teitelbaum-Drums; Hiro Sato-Bass; Jake Kenowitz- Trumbone Eric Schindler- Saxaphone
Great Divide is influenced by the traditional roots of Blues, Country, Soul, Funk or otherwise, good ol' fashioned Rock and Roll. Great Divide strives to preserve the elements of Rock's rich history, while exposing a new generation to the experience of their brand of honest, down-home music. For more information, please check out their MySpace site: http://www.myspace.com/greatdivideannarbor
RhythM is a student-run performance group comprised of passionate and dedicated, advanced tap dancers. For more information, please e-mail them at rhythmtap@umich.edu and/or rhythmexec@umich.edu
Grab your blue jeans and get your dancingshoes ready for a grand ol' time!
Think Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen and Kid Rock mixed with some Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson...so you know you're in for some boot stompin' fun!
Learn some line dances, break out your old rock ‘n roll moves, or sit back and tap your feet as our DJ spins it all.
Don't forget to check out our auction items, bring a bottle of wine to the event, and buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a wine cellar!
WHEN: SATURDAY, NOV. 15, 2008, 7 - 11 PM
BBQ BUFFET, OPEN BAR (beer, wine, & soft beverages)
Doors and auction open at 7 PM. Raffle tickets are available at 7 PM. Grub starts at 7:30 PM. Dancing begins at 8 PM (Lessons on the hour).
- 78 kids served - 26 volunteers actively advocating for kids - 11 on leave but still interested or actively working on fundraising and community awareness - Class of 6 - 8 new volunteers to begin training on Oct. 28th
Held in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel (home to the Presidential Inaugural Ball), National CASA’s 27th annual conferencebrought together over 1400CASA volunteers, staff, board members and interested parties from across the country.
Three days of workshops, exhibits, speakers and entertainment was topped off by an exciting visit to Capital Hill and an opportunity to speak directly to members of Congress and their legislative staff.There, CASA staff had the opportunity to personally acquaint their legislators with the work of CASA programs on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Ava Adler met personally with State Representative Tim Wahlberg and his legislative assistant, Jessica Van Beek along with staff from Ingham County CASA who shares his district.
Some highlights of the program included:
Alma J.Powell (wife of Colin Powell) who spoke at the opening luncheon about her work, on a national level, on behalf of youth;
Steve L Robbins, PhD., a powerful and humorous story teller who spoke to us about diversity and cultural competence; and
a fantastic performance by young people from the Duke Ellington School of Arts who put on a Motown Review that rocked!!
Workshopswere organized by tracks (fundraising, public policy, volunteer skills and resources and cultural competency)and included:
“When my CASA child breaks the law-what now?” ,
“Developing a Personal Donor Cultivation Process” ,
“Opening Doors Project: Improving the Legal System’s Approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth in Foster Care” and
“Considerations for Transitioning Youth”.
Of course, there was also the opportunity to visit the sites in DC like the HolocaustMemorialMuseum and the WashingtonMonument where National CASA launched a dramatic exhibit which helped the public understand how many children enter our foster care system each day.For one week, National CASA staff, volunteers and supporters placed 850 life-size cutout displays of foster children on the Mall.
These displays represented the number of children who enter the foster care system each day; six versions illustrated the diversity of children in care.By the end of the week, 4,250 life-size cutouts stood on the Mall.Each held a placard with a message and a call to action.These FORGOTTEN CHILDREN cutouts may eventually tour the country and be available to display in local communities.
Next year, the national conference will be held in Denver, CO April 25-28, 2009, at the Sheraton Denver HotelIt’s theme is "Taking Advocacy to a Higher Level".
Please check out the National CASA Conference photo album below!
Back in May, we introduced a site called Google for Non-Profits, to showcase the tools organizations can use to raise funds and collaborate easily and efficiently. These tools, we hoped, would enable non-profits to focus less on creaky email systems or lost documents -- and more on their missions.
For at least one non-profit, this was old news. Months before we unveiled our non-profit site, Marianne Clauw, who chairs CASA Washtenaw, an organization pairing volunteers with children in the local court system -- learned about Google products through an employee in our Ann Arbor office. With a website that she now compares to a "dusty storefront" and data sitting in a "scarily unsecure, un-backed up" state, she remembers, "I could see right away that we needed to switch to Google services."
Clauw and her colleague Ferlie Yruma used Google Page Creator (now Google Sites) to develop a shiny new website, complete with a YouTube video, a Google Calendar that reflects real-time updates, and a Checkout button allowing users to donate with a few clicks of a mouse. They applied and earned a Google Grant to run free AdWords advertising. As volunteer applications and donations trickled in, they began using Gmail and Docs to streamline the way they worked internally.
Here's what they have to say about the experience:
"Non-profits are not competitive by nature,” observes Clauw. “But we live in a competitive landscape: for donors, for volunteers, for grants. What we've done with Google is a major step in being competitive.”
When CASA Washtenaw competes at a high level, Washtenaw County kids win. And for this non-profit, that's the biggest prize of all.
Pictured Above: Molly Schikora (Attorney Referee), Virginia Harmon (CASA Supervisor); Newly sworn-in CASA Volunteers – Ian S., Amy W., Fran G., Kevin G. and Nancy M.; and Ava Adler, (Coordinator of the CASA program), Washtenaw County Trial Court – Family Division.
