CASA of Washtenaw County Volunteer Silvia Raithel interns at the White House

Silvia Raithel is photographed in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building of the White House, April 1, 2011.

Photo Credit: White House

Greetings CASA family! 

My name is Silvia Raithel, and this semester I have been interning at the White House. 

I would like to share with you a little bit about the White House Internship Program and about my experiences as an intern.  The White House Internship Program is a public service leadership program. I have been placed in the Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO); this office administers the selection process for Presidential appointees.

The work that I have been doing in this capacity has been extremely interesting and has taught me a lot, but it has only been a small part of the Internship experience.  Walking down the halls each day – and working in the different offices – are some of the world’s most successful people.  What can be learned simply by observing the way that they react to situations, or simply by having a conversation with them, is invaluable, and can be life-changing. 

Also an important part of the Internship experience, is public service.  Each White House Intern gets assigned a public service project, and some of us do additional volunteering on top of that.  During my time here, I have sorted food at a food bank, volunteered at a soup kitchen, tutored high school students, and spent my Saturday working with children on developing iphone apps.  These experiences have made me a more empathetic, caring, and creative person, and have thus contributed greatly to my development as a person.

Having been here in Washington D.C. for several months now, I can say that it has been an honor to play a small role in the Obama Administration alongside so many motivated and exceptional people.  A year ago today, I would not have wagered to ever find myself here, yet alone so soon.  Applying for the White House Internship Program was more of a whim than a part of a plan for me, as I knew that the application process was one of the most selective for internships anywhere.  Evidently, even long shots can pan out, however, and I would like to encourage others to take this one as well. 

The interns themselves come from all walks of life.  Some here, like me, are still working on their undergraduate degrees.  Others have completed their graduate work.  Many have focused their education on political science or policy.  But others have a background in various sciences, medicine, mathematics, or other fields in the liberal arts. We represent most geographic areas in the United States, and a wide variety of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you are passionate about anything, then I would say to you that you have nothing to lose by applying to be a White House Intern.  If, as a CASA, you have advocated for a child who has an ambition to make a change in the world, and he or she has now graduated from high school, then I would ask you to say the same thing to them.  This Administration – and this internship – is a great place to begin changing the world by learning how it can be done.  The application for the White House Internship Program can be found online at Whithouse.gov/internship. 

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: 
Ira Shaughnessy


Role: Board Fellow from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business


What interested you about the CASA program?

When applying for Board Fellow programs, I was drawn to Friends of CASA because of the benefit CASAs provide to Washtenaw youth. Working with the Board has been a great experience and reaffirms my interest to work in the nonprofit field in the future.

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

Prior to starting at Ross, I spent over two years in Ghana as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Following my Peace Corps experience, I traveled around the world for 6 months. During my three years abroad, I was exposed to a number of nonprofit organizations and noticed that many do as much harm as they do good. I am now pursuing a dual degree, with an MS in Natural Resources and Environment as well as an MBA with concentrations in Social Enterprise and Strategy.

Hobbies/Fun Facts about Yourself:

I've played soccer all of my life and loved being able to play in countries around the world when I was unable to communicate in any other way.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

- Lewis Carroll

How did you hear about about the CASA program?

My sister previously worked as a CASA and I found out more when applying to Board Fellows.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Katie Campbell

Role: Board Fellow from the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

What interested you about the CASA Program?

I was excited to learn more about Non-profit Board governance by serving on a board as successful and well-developed as Friends of CASA.  They do incredible work to provide support for the CASA program in Washtenaw County and truly strengthen the collaboration between the government and non-profit sectors.  

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

Before attending Ross, I worked in marketing research in Chicago and was a member of the Junior Board for the non-profit organization Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois.  I am now pursuing my MBA to develop my career in Marketing.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

I am a dual citizen - both Canadian and American!

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."

- Henry Ford

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

The University of Michigan Non-Profit Management Center has worked with Friends of CASA for several years and coordinated this project.

Please welcome our newest CASA Community Member

Contributed by: Karen H. and Ava Adler

Grant Michael W.

Parents: Lea (CASA Volunteer) & Michael W.

Born: January 12, 2011, 10:32 PM

Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz.

CASA Community Members of the Week

Left to right: Alex B., Ava Adler, and Elyse B.

Name: Elyse B.
Role: CASA Supporter

What interested you about the CASA program?

The CASA program provides for children in a way that most people would not ordinarily think of.  I found its unique aid fascinating and I wanted to help the cause.

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

I'm a student at Novi High School.  I've volunteered at a few different places (Angela Hospice, Gleaner's Food Bank).

Hobbies/Fun Facts about Yourself:

When I'm not at school, I love to read, dance, and find some way to exercise.  I also love to spend time with my family, including my dog, Buddy.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

When I was in third grade, I did a report on Sarah Grimke.  It began with this quote.  I've always remembered it since.

"All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet from off our necks."

- Sarah Grimke, abolitionist and women's rights activist 

How did you hear about about the CASA program?

My mother had worked with CASA before and when the opportunity arose to help out, we took it.

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Name: Alex B.

Role: CASA Supporter

What interested you about the CASA program?

The CASA program gives children such basic support.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be to go through childhood without such basic opportunities.

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

I have volunteered at food banks and as a teacher assistant.


Hobbies/Fun Facts about Yourself:

I play soccer and the drum set.  I am in my high school's band and enjoy computers.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"Try not.  Do or do not.  There is no try."  - Yoda

How did you hear about about the CASA program?

Word of mouth.

Michigan CASA Story

Contributed by: Stephanie Gunther

On August 22, 2006, our lives changed! I did something I never do - I changed my office message noting that I would be at another building for the day rather than just picking up voicemail messages at the end of the day.

That afternoon, I received a call from our licensing worker asking if I would consider taking three children and doing an emergency license increase.  They had a sibling group who was going to have to be split up. My son, then 15, agreed to share his room with K who was 4.5 years old, B age 3.5, and M, who was 6.5, joined our family the next day.

It was the oddest thing feeling.  A van pulled into our driveway.  Our caseworker opened the side door of the van and their sat three tiny little people.  B had fallen asleep on the twenty minute trip to our home and the tears hadn’t yet dried.  I was terrified, they were terrified, and as a first time foster mom, I had no idea what a journey we were going to embark upon.

The kids were going to be with us just a short time.  Mom and Dad were separated, with Mom living with an abusive boyfriend.  Dad was in jail.  It was felt that once he was free that he would quickly regain custody.  I was naïve and wasn’t sure I should buy Christmas presents!

Within a few days of the kids arriving, we had our first visit from our CASA who had been working on the case prior to them coming into formal care.

As the days became weeks, it became apparent that these kids who were nearly 40 years younger than I am had more life experience then I do.  Kids, who the first time you asked them to drag over the toy box to do a toy sort asked if it was time to sell their toys.  Kids who seemed to always announce things such as "I really like it that you cook the hotdogs" while in a crowded grocery store; or yell when Daddy gets out of jail in Target!  They began to grow and thrive.

Visits with our CASA continued, typically each Sunday afternoon.  As the kids began to relax, it became apparent that secrets were being kept.  Behaviors began to escalate, and, as October came to a close, the Judge ordered visitation suspended.  By December, we were down at CAN council trying to determine if the kids could provide credible testimony to see their biological parents arrested abuse.  In early winter, our family court Judge was giving notice that TPR proceedings would be started soon.  In May, TPR occurred, and in January of 2008, it was upheld.

During this time, it took an entire team of people to support these three little people.  M started kindergarten nearly two years late. B and K started pre-school.

On February 4, 2008, we became a legal family.  Many days continue to be a struggle. When necessary, I can list the alphabet soup that is linked to each of them in some combination: PTSD, survivor of SA, ODD, RAD, FAS. Thankfully, we have days when they are simply growing children who laugh, play and bicker like brothers and sisters do. On the rough days, when they are being sent home from school, I try to take a deep breath and remember that a village let these children down when they were infants. The safety net didn’t help their biological mother who was pregnant at 15 and married to her 24 year old “husband” to keep him out of jail.

I regularly remind school officials, our therapist and our psychiatrist, as well as our friends and family that they are part of our village.  All of us need to work together to do the best job we can to see that these three are productive members of our collective society. I am pleased that after the initial shock, most adults have indeed stepped up to help rather than judge.

To each of you who read this and are part of the safety net of a child or group of children I thank you.  No role is more important than helping to raise productive children, who feel safe.

2010 CASA of Washtenaw Moment

Thank You Note from a CASA Child
Contributed by: Ava Adler

Picture from: themonsterblog.us, Photographer: Michael Harry

In December, 2010, Ian S., a CASA of Washtenaw County volunteer, took his CASA kid, Josh, to the Extreme Monster Truck Nationals Event at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.  The Palace made available tickets to events that were taking place around Thanksgiving.  After the event, Josh wrote the following note to Ian & Friends of CASA:


Dear Friends of CASA,

Thank you for the tickets to the monster truck jam.  My favorite was the doughnut contest and the freestyle contest.  It was loud and smoky and we had good seats and had a lot of fun.

Josh W.

2010 CASA of Washtenaw Moment

2010 Michigan CASA Conference

November 12 - 13, 2010

Jan N., Kathy P., Gini Harmon, Susan S., Ava Adler &amp & Ian S.

Contributed by: Ava Adler

The conference was great.  It was called a “Legacy of One”  and honored Pat Wagner, the previous executive director of Michigan CASA who passed away in April, 2010.  The intention was to emphasize her years of incredible work and dedication not only to Michigan CASA but to the child welfare community as a whole.  Pat was responsible for serving as “the wind beneath the wings” of at least 20 county programs in the State which were started and nurtured under her tenure.   The advocate of the year award was re-named the “Patricia Wagner Volunteer of the Year”. 
  
The conference was held in Grand Rapids @ The Crown Plaza Hotel and about 160 people were in attendance.  Workshop topics included Native American Children and Families in State Court, Conflict Resolution Skills for CASA Volunteers, Fundraising - Art or Science, a panel of older foster care children “aging out of the system”, trauma informed assessments of children in the child welfare system and more.

The CASA of Washtenaw County volunteers who attended left inspired and invigorated, ready to re-face the challenges of their cases.  And, both Gini Harmon and Jan Nyman won raffle baskets in the annual raffle of county created baskets which rasied over $2,000 to offset conference costs. 

We are looking forward to sending a contingent to the National CASA Conference, March 19-22, 2011.  It will take place in Chicago and is called “Building Hope for Youth”.

Congratulations to our new CASAs!

Please welcome our newly sworn-in advocates:

Suzanne A., Pam B-B., Jessica G., Sanya G., Vanessa H., Silvia R., Alicia R., Dave R., and Cheryl W.

CASA Community Member of the Week

Name: Wendy S.

Role: Co-Chair for Rockin’ the CASA 2011

Picture: (left to right) Kyle, Jason, Wendy, and Samantha

What interested you about the CASA program?

I love that there is an organization that gives a voice to children who cannot advocate for themselves. Children are so innocent and it is our duty to protect them.

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

I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science. I worked for UofM as a non-profit recruitment coordinator until the birth of my daughter. After my first child was born, I became a full-time stay-at home mom. Now, I spend my time volunteering for various organizations that benefit foster children, I’m the Treasurer/Secretary of the PTO at my children’s school, and I volunteer in their classrooms.

Hobbies/Fun Fact(s) about Yourself:

My husband Jason and I have a 7 year old daughter named Samantha and a 5 year old son named Kyle. I love yoga, reading, and history.

What is your favorite quote of all time?

"He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help." Abraham Lincoln

How did you hear about the CASA Program?

I actually first heard of the program on the Dr. Phil show!