January 2017 Gist Newsletter for CASA Volunteers

Happy New Year!
  


CASA of the Pikes Peak Region
The Gist Newsletter
Congratulations to CASA's Newly Sworn-In Advocates
Congratulations to the latest class to get sworn-in as CASA Advocates!  As part of a new training format, these folks completed the two-weekend intensive class in just four days...and they did it with flying colors!


Front Row (L-R):  Diane Cassidy, Leilani Anderson, Frear Simons, Jacquelyn De'Anda, Maria Estrada, Mary Owens, Nanci Taylor, Terri Haag, Jessica Touchard, Shannon French.
Back Row (L-R):  Lorri Halenkamp, Ginger Littleton, Marcia FitzGerald, Joni Johns, Larry Driskill, Yasmin Helal-Barber, Matthew Thompson, Wendi Rowe, Judge Gilbert Martinez. 

Thank you and good luck with your new cases!
CASA's Annual Holiday Lunch:
Time Together to Show our Appreciation
We are so thankful for our amazing volunteers here at CASA.  We are so appreciative of the many hours, the heart and the love that you show the families that we serve.  It is always one of our favorite times of year when we can come together to share a meal and have time together, volunteers and staff. 
 
 
Thank you for joining us and good luck in the new year!
 

Giving Thanks for the Santa Store
We had so many donations of toys and clothes this holiday season for kids served by CASA. Our thanks to the kind folks from Johnny Martin's Car Central, Central Bancorp, The Mining Exchange, A
Wyndham Grand Hotel and Spa, YOT Club Colorado Springs, Antelope Trails Elementary School, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), The Aerospace Corporation, Toys for Tots, Old Chicago Austin Bluffs,
Starkey Mortgage - Mary Thorne, European Cleaners, The Church At Woodmoor, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

A special thanks to CASA volunteer Karen Hilborn who spearheads this gift drive every year.  Karen, you're the best!

The holiday season can be especially lonely and painful for children in foster care.  This outpouring of gifts from caring community groups, businesses and individuals brought smiles and comfort to kids this holiday season. Thank you, all!


Say "Hello" to our Newest Peer Coordinators
We are grateful for the many children these individuals have served as CASAs.  Now, as Peer Coordinators (PCs), they will help serve even more children. The PC model capitalizes on our greatest asset, experienced advocates, who are empowered as the direct support for new volunteer advocates. The model is a key capacity-building initiative to activate more volunteers to serve more children. Today, CASA is proud to serve approximately 60% of the children in our court system, but that means 300 kids lack the voice they need in our overburdened child welfare system.  The entrepreneurial spirit of all 27 of our PCs will help bring safety and permanency to every abused or neglected child in need.

We introduce you to our newest PCs...

Katherine Draper
As an advocate, Katherine has valued how much she learned from the families she has served and from the professionals involved.  As a PC, she is looking forward to another great learning opportunity.
  
"On my own cases, it's been invaluable having people I can go to when I'm conflicted or unsure about something. I'm happy to help other advocates however I can."

Sara Marcipan
While an advocate, Sara enjoyed being part of a team, working to help children feel safe and heard.  Now as a PC, Sara hopes to help new advocates feel comfortable in their role with children and in court. She has especially enjoyed working with the professionals in the child welfare system and will be a good asset to new advocates learning the ropes.  Sara served on two different cases since becoming an advocate in March 2015 and worked under the supervision of two Peer Coordinators.

Brian Matthies
Since becoming an advocate in 2015, Brian has served one teen boy who is now 16 years old. Brian says he has enjoyed seeing this young man grow.

"He has gone from not waking up in the mornings until noon, to getting up for school and participating in his meetings with his team."  Brian is glad to invest his time with CASA.  "It is such a great organization. I have always been interested in legal proceedings. I also love helping and mentoring children."

Judith Michaels
Since becoming an advocate over year ago, Judith said working with her PC was a wonderful experience and her PC was a great help.  She is now looking forward to helping other new advocates. Judith said she has enjoyed getting to know the children she has served on her two cases, learning their family dynamics, and speaking in court for their benefit.

"I know how much it can help an advocate when they are starting out.  Having that other person to bounce things off of is so important." 
 
Scott Miller
After serving as an advocate for almost three years, Scott knows he made a difference in children's lives.  But now he is looking forward to becoming a PC to help CASA serve every child in need. 

"We need to ensure a healthy physical, emotional, and psychological future for the children of our country, especially for children at risk.  Becoming a PC allows more advocates to achieve the goal of a better future for our children." 

Robin Smith
Robin believes serving as an advocate is a privilege.  Over her two and half years as an advocate, she enjoyed being a part of bringing positive change that sets a child on a path to safety, stability and success. She is looking forward to serving as a PC because she strongly supports the CASA mission.

"It is my desire to help instill confidence and courage in new advocates [so they can] serve their CASA child with great sincerity and purpose."

January Birthdays
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Happy Birthday to our Volunteers!

01-Carolyn C.
17-Robin S.
02-Ginger L. 17-Patricia H.
02-Jessica T.
18-Tonya L.
03-Wayne K.
18-Sharon V.
04-Mary K.
19-Christina H.
06-Kelly P.
20-Stephanie D.
06-Amy B.
21-Yume B.
10-Amanda S.
23-Sheila M.
11-Brittany A.
28-Karlene D.
14-Mary S.
28-Barb M.
15-Justin K.

Recently Closed Cases
Jean Boddy
Christina Thornbery
Loretta Geoghan
Bob Waterman
Newly Opened Cases
Leilani Anderson
Blanca Graham
Leonard Andrews
Samantha Hanson

Tom Baranowski 

Candice Hernandez 

Caitlyn Beans
Gayle Humm
Whitney Bidwell
Kristin Labbe
Ann Chellman
Mary Labesky
Maria Estrada
Christina Mandarich
Jamie Fabos
Mary Shaw

Colorado College to Host
National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Is the young lady you're serving on your CASA case interested in sports?  Colorado College Athletics is hosting National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Sunday, January 22nd in the El Pomar Sports Center (44 W. Cache La Poudre St). The event is designed to introduce and promote opportunities for young girls to participate in sports. Young women and men are invited to come meet Colorado College student-athletes and local sports organizations as they participate in an interactive sports clinic. The expo and clinic begins at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following, stick around for a CC basketball game, tipping off at noon. Admission is FREE for all events.


Free Training for Juvenile Cases
January 27, 2017, 11:00 - 12:30 

What:  ICWA 2016 - On June 8, 2016, the Bureau of Indian Affairs released the first ever substantive regulations to guide state courts and public and private agencies in the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act.  Although ICWA has been around for 37 years now, these are the first regulations.   The regulations go into effect December 2016 and apply to all juvenile cases, including dependency and neglect, delinquency, adoption, relinquishment, etc.
Presenter:  Magistrate Vigil
Where:  Division Q, W160

February 24, 2017, 11:00 - 12:30 (Tentative Date)
 
What:  SOMB standards and guidelines for the juvenile practitioner or professional, and how those standards and guidelines impact parents, children, and visitation issues.  This is good information for D&N, JD, cases and even APR issues.
Presenter:  Magistrate Curtis
Where:  Division Q, W160

Please RSVP to Tina Horton at tina.horton@judicial.state.co.us.

Be a Relationship Champion!
Imagine you discover that your baby niece has been in foster care for six months.  You wish to become her caretaker, however, the court denies your request because of her tender age and the time she has spent in her foster home.  The foster parents are not open to biological family contact, so your niece will not have an opportunity to know she has family who cares for her.  Why didn't anyone contact you when the baby first entered care?  Why haven't you been given an opportunity to meet her foster parents and build a relationship?  Or, imagine you are a teen living in a group home.  You have been in foster care for years and have no connection to your past or people to lean on.  Who will support you when you leave care?  Who will come to your graduation?  Who can you call if you are sick or need a place to stay? 

These are real dilemmas for CASA children that can be addressed through maintaining and establishing family connections and other long-term supportive relationships.   Every child served by CASA has the right to a permanent home, loving relationships with supportive adults, and a connection to their past, culture, and ethnicity.  How can you as a CASA advocate look out for these important interests?

Join us for the Life Long Links hands-on training workshop!  Learn why maintaining family connections is crucial to a child's healthy development, how to assess your case for the child's permanency needs, get tools and tips for increasing relationship permanency, and leave with next steps on your case. 

This three hour training session is a revised version of training that was previously required as part of the core training.  All new advocates should attend as soon as possible after receiving their new case as exploring family connections is an urgent need; important connections and opportunities may be lost or compromised as a case progresses.    

To accommodate all recently trained volunteers, we are offering the class in February and March.  Given the hands-on nature of the class, enrollment will be capped at 20 participants.  We will add a May date if needed based on registration.  Going forward, the workshop will be offered on a quarterly basis throughout the year and will be open to all new and continuing advocates (for those who missed the training or need a refresher). 

You will need to bring your discovery and case materials to the class.  The Life Long Links team is looking forward to supporting your work to support our children!

Workshop dates: 
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Tuesday, February 21st, 5:30 - 8:30 pm (light dinner will be served.) This class is limited to the first 20 people, not to fret we will be offering it again soon.

Please reserve your seat with Kelly at kellyp@casappr.org or by calling 719-447-9898, ext.1033. 

Fostering Futures Training
Saturday, February 25th
Attention Advocates and Peer Coordinators!  If you are on a case with a youth age 14 - 21 or are planning on taking a case in the future that serves teens, then Fostering Futures is for you!

Fostering Futures will benefit your casework and give you tools to help your young people when they attempt to transition toward independence on their own.  Teens struggle with decision making, support systems, healthy emotional and social attachments, and are at high risk for poverty, homelessness, victimization, criminal involvement, low educational achievement, and more.  The Fostering Futures program engages youth 14 - 21 and is intended to reverse these trends and improve the outcomes of youth as they prepare to age out of the foster care system.

There are two components of training:

A self-paced online component to be completed before February 25, 2017 (2-4 hours)

In-class training on Saturday February 25, 2017 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (7.5 hours)

A continental breakfast will be provided, lunch will be on your own.
The in-class training will be held at the CASA office at 701 S. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs.

Please register by Wednesday, February 10th to Kelly at  kellyp@casappr.org, or by calling 719-447-9898, ext. 1033.

The Hanger Teen Events
January Teen Event - Get a Job
Everything you need to know about getting a job, including how to interview, what to wear, what questions to ask, where to look, and more. Professionals in different fields and a speaker from Pikes Peak Workforce will be presenting. Dinner will be provided.

Where:  Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave
When:  Sunday, January 8th, 4:30-6:30
RSVP to Jill at jillc@casappr.org by Wednesday, January 4th 

SAT Prep Starts in January - Sign up Today! http://www.educatingchildrenofcolor.org/programs.html

The Hanger is Looking for Teen-Volunteers
If you have a teen who is looking to boost their resume and gain some experience, please send them to The Hanger to apply for this volunteer position. Shifts are Saturdays from 12:45-4:00 pm and each teen receives a $10 gift card for their time. 

Pick up an application at The Hanger or contact Jill at jillc@casappr.org or Jane  at janehegstrom@comcast.net.

Join the YLAC and Help Make a Difference
The Youth Leadership & Advisory Council (YLAC) participates in service projects, social events, leadership conferences, promotes changes in the foster care system, and more. Meetings are once a month on Sundays.

Make your voice heard by contacting Anjuli at 719-648-7978 or anjuli@fosteringhopefoundation.org.

Need a Tutor?
Pick up a registration form at The Hanger or contact Jill at jillc@casappr.org.

Ongoing Classes / Activities:

The Hanger
Make sure you bring your teens to shop at The Hanger soon! Our summer inventory is gone and fall and winter items are out. There will be some exciting changes to the store and lots of great styles to keep the teens warm as we head into colder months. Happy shopping!

Songwriting /Acoustic and Electric Guitar Lessons
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For teens interested in creating and playing their own music. Songwriting will cover the skills needed for players, singers and poets to build a concept into a complete song. Ensembles, bands, duos and trios will be formed to play or record our creations. No music experience is required. Bring your guitar if you have one, but having an instrument is not necessary.

Where:  The Hanger, 214 N. Tejon
When:  Every Tuesday
Guitar Lessons: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Songwriting: 7:00 - 7:30 pm
RSVP to Jill jillc@casappr.org to obtain a registration form.

Pencil Drawing Classes
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Do you have a love of making designs or drawings using pencil? Then this is the class for you! Learn new techniques and create great works of art. Open to all levels of artistic talent. Pencils, notebooks, and lunch will be provided.

Where:  The Hanger, 214 N. Tejon
When:  11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Saturday Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr. 8
RSVP to Jill at jillc@casappr.org.

In addition to the activities listed above, the following link lists activities that have been organized outside of CASA.  All of these activities can be found on the CASA website:

For more information or to register for an activity you may contact Jill Cheetham at 719-447-9898, ext. 1026 or jillc@casappr.org.
Get Involved with the MFCF
Are you interested in tutoring?  Teaching art?  Have a fun skill or passion to share? Then the MFCF needs you!
The Milton Foster Children's Fund will start a tutoring program for teens in September on all subjects, including monthly art programs and fun activities at the Hanger on Saturdays. 
If you are interested in getting involved or have a great idea to share or teach, please contact Jill at jillc@casappr.org or by calling      719-447-9898, ext. 1026. 
Cedar Springs' 2017 Lunch and Learn Series
Now Available
Cedar Springs would like to invite you to view their Lunch and Learn Series schedule for 2017 by visiting their website at www.cedarspringshospital.com
 
You can register online or by calling 719-633-4114.
 
Cedar Springs looks forward to seeing you in 2017!

From the Fund Development Team
In December, the Resource Development team ended the year on a high note with the following generous gifts:
  • La Doctora, P.C. made a $10,000 corporate donation.
  • Carl & CarrieMae Joslyn Charitable Trust awarded a $5,000 grant for the Dependency & Neglect program.
Thank you! Our entire community will benefit from your generosity!
CASA Staff Contacts
Please use the link below to go to the CASA of the Pikes Peak Region website for staff contact information:

SEPT Contacts
Please call the SEPT cell phone number listed below for any SEPT visit cancellations/questions/concerns: 
 
Site Cell Phone:  719-314-5008
 
Weekends:
Sunday has a rotating staff schedule.  Please call the cell number listed above.

Please use the link below to go to the CASA of the Pikes Peak Region website for SEPT staff contact information:



CASA of the Pikes Peak Region  | 719-447-9898   | casappr.org


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