EVERY CHILD IS A STAR TO BE CHERISHED
Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocates is pleased to announce
Antwone Fisher
as Keynote Speaker for May 23rd f
undraiser!
Michigan CASA is pleased to announce that Antwone Fisher will be the keynote speaker for the May 23rd Fundraiser being held in Grand Rapids, MI at the Downtown Market. The 2002 movie
Antwone Fisher
was written by Fisher and directed by and stars Denzel Washington.
Born in an Ohio prison to a teenage mother, Antwone was placed into foster care, where he remained for most of his childhood. During these years, Antowne was abused physically, verbally, and sexually.
The film highlights Fisher coming to terms with the aftermath of the system after joining the United States Navy, with the help of a Naval Therapist played by Denzel Washington. Today, Antwone Fisher is an American screenwriter, poet, lecturer, best-selling author, and advocate. His advocacy work includes book-writing, public speaking, play writing, and even testifying before the Senate Finance Committee on behalf of Child Welfare. The work he has done is invaluable, and his words are not to be missed. Check out more of his story
here
.
Join us on May 23rd for cocktails, dinner and conversation.
Contact Rachel
@MichiganCASA.org
if you are interested in sponsoring or attending the event.
May 23, 2017
5:30 - 8:30 pm
Downtown Market, 435 Ionia Ave., GR, MI 49503
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Michigan CASA Board Member Spotlight
Meet Kathleen
Vogelsang
On the Board of Directors since October of 2015, Kathleen has played an instrumental role in the development of Michigan CASA. Before becoming a board member, Kathleen supported Michigan CASA by attending many fundraisers, luncheons, and court hearing cases for CASA of Kent County. Kathleen's service is inspired by "seeing the difference that the CASA volunteers have made in the lives of the children they serve, and knowing that there is still a large need to reach more children".
With her Bachelors in Finance, MBA, and CFA charterholder status, Kathleen serves on the Finance and Audit Committee. Her impressive credentials have assisted her personal goal to help Michigan CASA become financially strong. She hopes to assist in the growth of the local CASA programs, as well as increase the number of Michigan counties served by a CASA program. Her vision is that Michigan CASA will be seen as a supportive resource for the local CASA programs.
Kathleen has served as the Chief Investment Officer for Van Andel Institute for over 11 years. Twice, she was named One of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan by the Grand Rapids Business Journal, and One of the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain's Detroit. She enjoys golf, traveling and singing in the church choir. She has been married for over 30 years, with two daughters. Her goals focus on staying healthy and enjoying life to its fullest, while trying to make a positive impact in her community.
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March is National Social Worker Month!
At Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocate, we could not be more grateful for the almost 14,000
devoted social workers across our state.
CASA volunteers work closely with social workers in advocating for children everyday.
With
13,800 social workers in the state of Michigan, we have the 5th largest population of social workers in the country.We are blessed to have such incredible and selfless individuals serve an
invaluable
purpose to our state's youth
.
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Program Director Spotlight
Stephanie Carlton of Monroe County
We are excited to announce that Stephanie Carlton is the new Program Director at Monroe County CASA. Stephanie brings many years of dedicated experience to Monroe County CASA, having worked with CASA through the Monroe County Intermediate School District for over 6 years, and Head Start as a Family Partnership Specialist for 5 years. Stephanie started full-time in January of 2017, but already has some great plans and goals underway. Currently, Monroe County serves around 25% of the children in foster care, with 23 CASA volunteers. Stephanie's ultimate goal is to serve every child who enters into foster care in Monroe County.
Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Stephanie moved to Michigan in 2004. She is extremely well-versed, with academic backgrounds in Sociology, Women's Studies, and Public Health. She is married with three children and enjoys running, the outdoors, reading, cooking, eating, watching college basketball, and spending time with her friends and family!
Welcome Stephanie. The children of Monroe County are lucky to have you!
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CASA Volunteer Training:
The longer days and warmer weather is a sure sign of one thing: Spring CASA training! Check out our
Michigan CASA Program Guide by County to check the volunteer training opportunities near you.
Upcoming Training Dates:
Hillsdale County CASA:
March 22nd - May 24: Spring Session of Volunteer Training Begins. Meets every Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Click
here for more information.
Feb 28th - Spring Session of New Volunteer Training Begins. Meets every Tuesday for the next nine weeks from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Click here for more information.
March 22nd - Volunteer Info Session
Click
here for more information
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Thanks to all who attended our MCPAT meeting last month. We had two excellent presentations from Janet Snyder, Executive Director of Michigan Federation for Children and Families, and Renee Gonzales from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. If you were unable to attend, please see the recap circulating in Google group.
The next meeting is scheduled 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., May 15, 2017!
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Every Child is a Start to be Cherished Fundraiser - Join us! Antwone Fisher as keynote speaker
CASA Volunteer Training
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Dan Babin, Chairman
David DeBoer, Treasurer
Peter Alle
Kathleen Brach
Nathan Brink
Robert Dean
Kyleen Gee
Robert Jamula
Kristi Jeffrey
Raymond Kennedy
Kelly Kucinich
Kelly Schafer
Kathleen Vogelsang
Patty Sabin, Executive Director
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Michigan CASA Welcomes Three New Directors
Please give a warm Michigan welcome to our newest county program directors:
- Laurie Miller - Genesee County
- Stephanie Carlton - Monroe County
- Emily Santellan - Oceana County
We look forward to a personal welcome at the MCPAT meeting!
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Hillsdale County CASA:
March 22nd - May 24
-Spring Session of Volunteer Training Begins. Meets every Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
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Clinton County
March 15
-Join Us! Wednesday, March 15th from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
at the St. Johns Big Boy
to kick off our 2017
Superhero 5K
with a fabulous Pasta and Salad Buffett.
Tickets available at our office and the day of the event.
Will YOUR cape be ready?
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Monroe County
April 5
-Get creative and raise funds for CASA! You are invited to get creative at Barn Owl Studio! We will be creating "Make and Take Wood Signs". Click
here
to sign up!
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May 20th
-Join us for a Forget Me Not 5K Run/Walk for abused and negelcted children (1 mile Fun Run for kids) at Custer Airport! Online Registration at SignMeUp.com
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Kent County
March 22
-
Volunteer Info Session - Learn more about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate and the application and training process.
Noon - 1:00 p.m. Grand Rapids Community Foundation, 185 Oak St. SW, GR, MI. No RSVP needed
April 17-28
- Pinwheel Garden honoring Kent County children on foster care: St. Mark's Episcopal Church - 134 N. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
April 18
- CASA of Kent County Spring New Volunteer Training Course begins. To learn more about volunteering, contact
April 19
- CASA of Kent County Annual Luncheon: Noon, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel - 187 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. No cost to attend, please RSVP to
angela.brown@kentcountymi.gov
.
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