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Welcome to the CASA Family!
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On October 27th, 15 members of our fall training class were sworn in by Judge Mecca in a ceremony at
the Bergen County Courthouse. Having completed over 36 hours of pre-service training, these volunteers are ready to be assigned to children in need of a CASA.
Pictured: Cathy Cardew, Kathy Reilly, Ellen Ratty, Etti Hochberg, Ashley Jironza, Natalia Oliver, Sharon Stampler, Orlando Fonte, Melissa Petracca, Mike Costello, Linda MacNeil, Brenda Rothman, and Emily Kraus. (Pamela Delanuez not pictured)
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Shop & Save 20% at J.Crew to Benefit CASA!
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J.Crew is celebrating National Adoption Month by hosting another special event at their Bergen County retail stores this holiday season. Visit one of the stores listed on November 20th and 21st to enjoy an exclusive discount and support Bergen CASA at the same time.
J.Crew raised over $3,000 for us last year! Join J.Crew to show your support for CASA and the abused and neglected children of Bergen County.
Please RSVP to [email protected] if you or friends/family plan to go. It is important to show them that CASA is participating. We encourage you to email if you are attending, please go even if you don't!
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Shop & Save 15% at Mo's and Help CASA Too
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Modell's is the newest CASA supporter, now offering a CASA Team Weeks 15% off Coupon!
For all sports, outerwear and gift giving needs, consider Modell's!
The attached reusable Modell's Team Weeks coupon is valid now through 12/31 and can be used at any store in New Jersey. Customers will enjoy a 15% discount and 5% of all purchases during the promotional period will be rebated to Bergen CASA.
Please forward to friends and family and urge them to print the coupon and keep it handy, or save the image on their phones, and consider Modell's for their shopping and gift giving needs!
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26 Children Have FOREVER Families!
In celebration of National Adoption Month, 26 children finalizied adoptions with their "forever" families at the Bergen County courthouse on November 13th!! Bergen CASA collaborates with the Bergen County Family Court and the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) to coordinate this annual event. The families are provided with a plentiful breakfast and, while the children await their adoptions, they are entertained by CASA volunteers and staff who play games and do arts and craft projects with them. All of the children left with a backpack filled with gifts, including stuffed animals, games, puzzles, books, etc. The CASA volunteers were invited to attend the individual adoption ceremony for their assigned child(ren). It was a truly moving event and a particularly heartwarming moment for CASA. More to come in December's Newsletter!
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Faces of CASA
Q & A with
Charlene and Maxine
Volunteers since 2003!
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Charlene Barbetta
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Maxine Horvath
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1. How did you first become involved with Bergen CASA?
As a Realtor, I attended a company meeting where it was announced that CASA of NJ would be our charity. I was very impressed at the presentation. A year later, there was an informational session at HUMC. Bergen County was just starting it's program. I realized that that I would like to volunteer for the organization.
2. Tell us a little about your experience as an advocate back in 2004?
To be an Advocate, you had to go through a training program and attend court hearings to prepare you for the role. My CASA child was living in a shelter after leaving several foster homes. I was able to visit her at the shelter and speak with her teacher, doctors, etc. The case lasted a year and a hlaf and she was returned to her Mother. My time working as an Advocate had a tremendous impact on me. It was very rewarding to be able to serve as an advocate for a child in need. It's an experience I will never forget and one that made me want to stay involved with the organization.
3. What has kept you connected to the CASA program for so many years?
After my case closed, I was asked if I would be interested in serving on the Board of Trustees. It has been ten years now and I have volunteered for several committees. I am currently Chair of Board Development. We have excellent Board members and we are growing larger. Knowing that we are helping so many children has kept me connected.
-Charlene Barbetta
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1. How did you first become involved with Bergen CASA?
I attended a luncheon sponsored by my former real estate office (Burgdorff) and someone from CASA made a fine presentation so two of us signed up. We were near the end of the training program when we were both invited to become Board members. The Bergen County division was very new and they needed trustees, so I am one of the original members.
2. What is your favorite aspect of serving as a CASA Board member?
This is a very worthwhile and important organization, and I am proud to be associated with it. I am impressed with the hard-working, friendly, and generous people affiliated with it: the office staff, the volunteers, and the board members.
3. What has motivated you to stay connected to the CASA program for so many years?
Speaking with the volunteers at our many social gatherings and fund raisers makes me aware of how important CASA is. We make a difference.
-Maxine Horvath
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"Sweet Cases" for CASA Kids
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Happy Birthday and THANK YOU to Melissa Farrand who donated "sweet cases", with the help of Together We Rise*! Instead of getting birthday gifts this year, Melissa asked her family and friends to help hand paint and fill 13 of these adorable canvas bags to CASA! They are stuffed with teddy bears, coloring books, toiletries, etc. and will bring a smile to some of our little ones in foster care, especially when they are being moved from one foster placement to another. And they're A LOT nicer than a black garbage bag to help transport your belongings!
Melissa, Bergen CASA salutes you
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*Together We Rise is a non-profit organization, founded by college students, heloing to change the way 1,000's of kids experience foster care in the U.S.
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Supplies Drive to Benefit CASA
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A HUGE thank you to Amy Elfman, CASA Volunteer, and the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ! At their 18th Annual Mitzvah Day, Amy coordinated a supplies drive for BErgen CASA! Amy delivers hundreds of toiletries and personal care items to out office! For Mitzvah Day, volunteers young and old from the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ perform mitzvot (good deeds) at over 40 different sites to help impact lives in big and small ways. Bergen CASA is so grateful for their support.
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