The latest news and information from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Fresno and Madera Counties. 

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As 2015 draws to a close I am reflecting back on this year at CASA. We have gained wonderful new employees and board members, held a very successful Crab Feed fundraiser, provided training for our advocates in small groups and large, and sworn in 27 new volunteers who have begun advocating for foster children in our communities. In this past fiscal year we have supported 143 Advocates who in turn served 251 children. In everything accomplished this year we continue our mission of speaking for the children currently in the foster care system.
 
I want to express our gratitude to you, our supporters, for helping to make this year a success for CASA. Because of you, more foster children in our community are experiencing the love and support of an advocate and are therefore being set up for healthy and successful futures.
 
I hope that you enjoy this holiday season with friends and loved ones.
 
Gratefully,
 
Nathan Lee, Executive Director 


17th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser a huge success! 

Over 600 people attended CASA of Fresno & Madera Counties 17th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser on Friday, September 18th 2015. Thank you to all of our supporters who helped us to raise over $200,000 in revenue for CASA! Funds raised during the Crab Feed will go towards supporting the Advocates who volunteer to give a voice to children in the Foster Care system. 


Mission Moment 

Jim Mulligan has been an Advocate with CASA since 2014. He is currently assigned to a seventeen year old boy who immigrated from Honduras. A teen-aged young man who felt the burden of providing for his siblings after their parents died. He made the journey to the U.S. and ended up located in the Central Valley to live with family friends whom he called "Aunt and Uncle." Although the family wanted to help him, they were taking care of their own children and lacked the resources to provide for him so he was placed in foster care. 

When Jim learned of being appointed to this particular case he thought CASA couldn't have made a better match. Jim speaks Spanish and has traveled to Honduras in places near the boy's hometown. He was excited to begin advocating for this child whom he already had so much in common with. Although the young man was hesitant at first, Jim has built a trust and relationship with him over the past year. Jim is teaching him the importance of education and now he has a 3.8 GPA, is getting better with his English and is taking advantage of what school offers. And although college was never a goal, Jim is letting him know there are a wide variety of options after High School to be considered. While getting to know the young man Jim saw him express interest in becoming a CHP officer so Jim worked to arrange a ride-along for them with the police. He is helping this young man to understand that receiving an education will help him be better able to provide for his family back in Honduras. 

With Jim's help, this bright young man is now looking forward to a successful future. 


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Upcoming Events

Here's what's happening at CASA in December. 

Information Session: Saturday, December 12, 9:00-10:00 a.m. CASA Office.
Holiday Party: Saturday, December 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Fresno State Bowling Alley.
Information Session: Wednesday, December 16, 6:15-7:15 p.m. CASA Office.
Continuing Education Class: Thursday, December 17, 6:15-8:15 p.m. Woodward Park Regional Library.
Holiday Toy Drive: Monday, November 9 - Friday, December 18
Office Closed in Observation of Christmas Holiday: Friday, December 25. 


CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties | 559.244.6485 | [email protected]|
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