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April 2016 Gist Newsletter for CASA Volunteers
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Some readers see this part of your email after the subject line in the inbox. Write something brief and catchy, compelling them to open the email.
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Welcome to the reformatted Gist Newsletter. We hope you find this digital, mobile-friendly version of CASA's volunteer news and events easy to navigate and user-friendly.
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CASA's 16th Annual Light of Hope Fundraiser
Call for Table Captains and Volunteers!
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It is almost time for this year's Light of Hope and we need your help! The Light of Hope event is CASA's premier fundraising event raising $250,000-$300,000 annually, which helps to sustain the essential work of the organization. CASA serves over 1,000 children each year and your support is deeply appreciated.
The breakfast and luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 21st at the Antler Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs. Table captains and event day volunteers are needed for both events! We all know how important CASA's work is, which is why we encourage you to think about hosting a table or volunteering at this event. It is a simple task to take on with the reward of knowing that you have helped serve the children that so desperately need an advocate or facilitator to give them a voice.
The role of a table captain includes filling a table of 10, including yourself, with your guests (i.e. friends, family, work colleagues, club members, etc.) who want to learn more about CASA and are willing to make a financial contribution to support CASA's work in the Pikes Peak Region. The event is free to all attendees, childcare is available, and the event is one hour long.
Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:30 am
(Please arrive by 7:00 am to check-in)
Luncheon: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
(Please arrive by noon to check-in)
Location: Antlers Hotel - 4 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs
Parking: Free (available in the underground garage)
Childcare: Free by RSVP only
To learn more about becoming a Table Captain or volunteer, please contact Tiffany Anderson, CASA's Event Coordinator, at 447-9898, ext. 1036 or [email protected].
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Happy Birthday to all of our April volunteers!
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02-Jane H.
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18-Glen S.
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04-Brenda M.
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18-Elizabeth C.
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04-Scott M.
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19-Sherry S.
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05-Jackie H.
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20-Susie H.
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06-Steve L.
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20-Jennifer G.
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06-Aimee A.
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20-Kate K.
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08-Leslea D.
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26-Janice S.
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08-JoAnne H.
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29-Cathryn K.
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12-Karen H.
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29-Terri H.
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April Events
Sunday, April 17th - Life After High School Teen Event
Where: Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave
Time: 4:30 to 6:30; dinner will be served.
Saturday, April 23rd - Poetry Workshop & Open Mic Night
Time: 6pm to 9pm
Location: University Center at UCCS, Rm. 302
May Events
May 1st - Formal Etiquette Dinner for High School Seniors
Time: 5:30-8:00 pm
Location: Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave
Call 719-447-9898, ext. 1026
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Domestic Violence from the Offender's Perspective
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Join us for this training presented by Patrick Shargel, a licensed therapist in Colorado Springs. Mr. Shargel specializes in domestic violence offender treatment. His presentation gives a unique look into the mindset of an offender and the treatment they subsequently receive from therapists like himself.
Wednesday, April 13th, 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Location TBD
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Domestic Violence and the Impact on Children
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This in-service
is presented by Claudia Margiotta, a children's case manager at TESSA. Using her experience in the field, she is able to provide trainees with pertinent information on the effects that domestic violence has on a child's development and well-being.
Saturday, April 16th, 8:30 - 11:30 am
Location: CASA
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Matthew Cleveland
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Laura Huspek
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Alys Hammer
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Hannah Jordan
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Al Hanna
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Kate Killian-Gioglio
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Sherry Hermann
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Tonya Lark
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Diane Hogan
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Kelly Peterschmidt
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Julie Hovde
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Scharlotte Rich
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Elizabeth Cramer
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Shauna Naous
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Lorraine Curnell
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Kellye Nielsen
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Martha Grizzell
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Ann Shikles
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Mary Kenney
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Raymond Wonder
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Carmen McDermott
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Denise Yocum
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Judith Michaels
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Kicks for CASA
Kickball Tournament
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Get on your Kicks for CASA!
How about a good, old-fashioned day of kickball in the Colorado sunshine? Join our CASA team for the 14th Annual Kicks for CASA kickball tournament. Every year the Colorado College chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta hosts a campus-wide fundraiser to benefit CASA. Students gather teams, raise funds, and spread awareness about CASA and the plight of abused and neglected children in our area. Want to play for CASA? All ages and ability levels welcome on our team.
April 23rd, 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
Colorado College Campus
1015 N. Nevada Ave. at the Colorado College Intramural Fields
For more information or to register to play on the CASA team, call or email Tonya at 447-9898, ext. 1016 or [email protected].
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What is Your CASA Youth's Spark?
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Tap into what motivates your CASA child. Does your CASA child continually drum on everything? Do they dance throughout your visit? Could this be their undiscovered spark - an activity or interest that truly engages them?
This in-service is presented by Chris Beyer. She was a trainer at Search Institute which is known as a leader in discovering what kids need to succeed.
April 26th, 5:30-7:30 pm
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Building Self-Healing Communities:
Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACE and Resilience
April 25 and 26
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Peaceful Households is hosting its annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conference. Please go to the link below to register.
Location:
Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center
2886 S Circle Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Pre-Conference April 25th:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) education and an exclusive viewing and insider commentary of the highly acclaimed documentary,
Paper Tiger.
Main Conference April 26th:
Agenda is forthcoming and includes several national and regionally recognized leaders in this field such as:
Sarah Yanosy, Director of the Sanctuary Institute
Jim Sporleder, Children's Resilience Initiative
Cost:
Both Main Conference and Pre-Conference ($120.00)
Pre-Conference Only ($50.00)
Main Conference Only ($90.00)
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Milton Foster Children's Fund
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MFCF is now accepting applications!
Summer Camps are only offered May through July
and they fill up fast so don't delay in getting those applications submitted so that your CASA kids will
be able to attend summer camp this year!
MFCF only meets once a month to approve applications! Next meeting is April 12th so apply now.
Applications can be found at casappr.org under 'Programs/Milton Foster Children's Fund'
Not interested in a summer camp?
MFCF gives funds for things that will help build a child's resiliency, which could include:
- Lessons (music, sports, dance, swim, etc.).
- Educational opportunities and tutoring.
- Equine therapy, science projects, school trip, yearbook, summer camps, tattoo removal, driver's education, special medical/dental equipment, art supplies.
Learn more at:
Call 719-447-9898, ext. 1026
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Youth Leadership and Advisory Council
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Do you know a teen who would make a great leader in the community? The
Youth Leadership & Advisory Council (YLAC) is a group of youth ages 14 - 21 who plan social events, participate in service projects, attend leadership conferences, and provide an important voice for systems change.
For more information, contact Anjuli at 719-648-7978.
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Infants, Toddlers and Trauma from an Attachment Perspective
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Infants and toddlers are the largest age group in the foster care system, but there is great misunderstanding about the young child's experience of trauma and its effect on future development. Further, the importance of permanency at this age is frequently set aside in favor of adult schedules and demands.
Please join us for this workshop presented by Diane Baird, Trauma Specialist from the Kempe Center in Denver. Diane will examine best practices for rehabilitation of parent child relationships, and for supporting the child's healthy emotional development via preservation of existing relationships.
Diane Baird has more than 30 years of experience in child welfare. She is employed at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at the Kempe National Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. Diane's clinical work involves interactional evaluation, infant mental health, child and family therapy, and therapeutic visitation in child welfare cases. Consultation has long been a mainstay of Diane's practice and she serves as the Co-Director of the START multidisciplinary consultation program at the Kempe Center. She regularly teaches at gatherings of all disciplines, including the judiciary.
Wednesday, May 4th, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location TBD
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Thank You to Our Supporters!
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CASA would like to thank our wonderful funders who support our mission each year through a financial donation. Thank you to El Pomar Foundation for being a Presenting Sponsor of our Light of Hope Event in April and Classic Homes for a generous leadership donation.
Your support is invaluable to the many children we serve through all our programs each year. Thank you!
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College Planning for Foster Teens
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Financial Aid:
Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF): Colorado pays a stipend for each credit hour that a resident of Colorado attends a Colorado college. Students can sign up for this at: https://cof.college-assist.org/.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms are due by March 1, 2016 if students are planning to attend college in the fall of 2016. Foster youth do not need to complete the parent financial portion of the form (Note: this form is required for student loans, as well):
Scholarships:
PPCC - https://www.ppcc.edu/foundation/scholarships/
SACHS Minority Opportunity Fund offers great scholarships to African American students in Colorado (must be a senior). The website is: http://www.sachsfoundation.org/.
The Colorado Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program offers eligible students grants up to $5,000 per year for up to five years or until the student's 23rd birthday. ETV funds can be combined with other grants and scholarships to minimize or eliminate the need for student loans: http://www.fc2sprograms.org/colorado/.
Foster Care to Success (FC2S) partners with organizations, foundations, and individuals to deliver scholarships to foster youth across the country. With this funding and FC2S support, hundreds of young people reach their educational goals every year. http://www.fc2success.org/programs/scholarships-and-grants/.
Housing:
Students may qualify for a Family Unification Program (FUP) voucher, which is very similar to Section 8. These are primarily for homeless youth. The voucher lasts for 18 months and covers rent and utilities. It is a good program for helping to get on track with less responsibility. Students can talk to a Chafee worker about this program to see if they are eligible.
Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) provides age appropriate independent living services to youth aged 16-21 who are in out-of-home placements or to young adults aged 18-21 who were in out-of-home placements on or after their 18th birthday.
General:
BCFS is a global system of health and human services non-profit organizations with locations and programs throughout the United States.
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center (PPWFC) offers a number of the following services to young adults between the ages of 16-24: job search assistance, access to the young adult career center, workshops, Pre-GED testing, and the Governor's Summer Job Hunt Program.
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Please use the link below to go to the CASA of the Pikes Peak Region website for staff contact information:
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The following is the list of staff covering emergencies during the visit and exchange time. Please call the cell phone number listed below for any
SEPT visit cancellations/questions/concerns:
719-314-5008
Weekdays:
Monday - Liz
Tuesday - Angie
Wednesday - Liz
Thursday - Liz
Friday - Angie
Weekends:
Sunday has a rotating staff schedule. Please call the cell number listed above.
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