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).
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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)

The Connection - A National CASA Publication

Contributed by: Ferlie Yruma

The Connection is a quarterly magazine designed to keep CASA programs, volunteers, and the public abreast of the latest news and developments affecting CASA advocacy for abused and neglected children.

The Winter 2008 edition is now available, featuring an article called "Count the Ways to Encourage Child Resilience," a Top Tips for Volunteers article focusing on skills for building family connections, and the 30th anniversary reflections by the CASA program founder, Judge David W. Soukup.

Please tell us what you think of The Connection. Leave a comment on this blog post!

If you enjoy this publication, current volunteers can subscribe for free (click here for a free subscription).

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Lisa P.

Role: CASA Volunteer


What interested you about the CASA Program?

It provides an opportunity to actually make a difference in a child's life. You can see and feel the results.

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

I'm a University of Michigan graduate. I've worked in software development for almost 25 years and currently work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I design kiln-formed glass pieces that are sold at various art galleries in the Midwest, including the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum Shop and the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"...try to see life as a child would, but with the knowledge of an adult - that's true wisdom." - Truman Capote

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I read about the National CASA Program about 15 years ago in a magazine.

First End-of-Year Appeal: A Success!

Contributing Writer: Nicole H.

CASA of Washtenaw County's 2007 End-of-Year Appeal was a huge success; within a month, we raised over $4500!!

We had supporters throughout Washtenaw County, Michigan, and even received donations from individuals living in California and Washington!

The appeal letters were sent out to over 700 individuals in early December, 2007, with a newsletter about Friends of CASA's progress and 2007 milestones.

We hope to send news updates throughout the year, so look out for those newsletters because we are doing such great work!

Send us your mailing address or e-mail address at admin@casawashtenaw.org if you would like to be on our mailing list.

image source

Swearing-In Ceremony, January 30, 2008

Contributing Writer: Ava Adler

Pictured (left to right):
Diana C., Sara B., Shelley S., Janice G., & Sondra S.

On January 30th, 2008, five (5) new CASA volunteers were sworn in at the Washtenaw County Juvenile Court by Referee Gail A.

Sara B., Diana C., Janice G., Sondra S., and Shelley S. took their oaths to carry out the duties of a CASA volunteer to the best of their ability, and received their training certificates and CASA pins.

Several experienced volunteers joined the celebration, along with a couple of family members, Nikki H. (Friends of CASA Development Director), Ava A. (CASA Coordinator), and Deborah S. (Supervisor of the CASA Program at the Court).

The new volunteers shared their reasons for becoming child advocates, and cake and coffee were enjoyed by all.
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For more pictures of the event, please check out the Swearing-In Ceremony (Jan. 30, 2008) Photo Album (located at the right column of this blog).

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.