Did you hear?
Click the
video
to listen to Gov. Brown's full speech, regarding House Bills 2216 and 2344
, and the importance of CASA volunteers.
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CASA Hires Columbia County Program Manager
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Kudos for CASA Volunteers
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Ambassador Board Spotlight: Melissa Yacoby
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Welcome CASA Board Members Justin Palfreyman & Trey Slinkard
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Karin Miller Hired as Columbia County Program Manager
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CASA for Children has hired Columbia County native and champion of community partnerships, Karin Miller to lead its Columbia County initiatives as Program Manager.
Karin brings over 30 years of proven leadership and effective management of county-wide partnerships and programs, focused on social justice outcomes. Her programmatic experience spans workforce development, job-skills programs, and the Oregon Food Stamp Transition Program.
“I am very excited to work for a program that advocates for the needs of the youth in Columbia County. My goal is to be able to expand the resources available so that more of our youth will have the benefits that a CASA advocate can bring them," says Karin.
The Columbia County Program Manager is a newly created position that will provide strategic direction, data management, and program supervision for existing staff at the CASA for Children Columbia County branch office on Sykes Road in St. Helens, Oregon.
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Kudos are small
shout outs from CASA Supervisors to highlight the extraordinary work of CASA volunteers. Thank you to all CASAs for your dedication and hard work!
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"
Kudos
go to CASA Jody Pollak for her ongoing efforts in advocating for her 18 year old's transition planning and striving to keep DHS accountable in supporting her into adulthood. This case has been an exceptionally challenging one--with rotating DHS workers, placement troubles, and convoluted reports from parents--so I'm all the more grateful for Jody's persistence in taking the lead on this case and asking the important questions to ensure that her CASA kids get the opportunity to ultimately flourish." - Eric Cuvelier, CASA Supervisor- Multnomah County
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"A big shout out to CASA Heidi Steffens for your willingness to jump in to an extremely complex case with a new supervisor! Your patience, sense of humor, candor, and keen insightfulness are only some of the fabulous qualities you bring to the work you do and helped get us through many long and grueling months pre-jurisdiction, only for the case to be dismissed. This was certainly a frustrating and disheartening outcome, but through it all you were able to maintain positive rapport with every single party involved in the case which is quite an accomplishment. Looking forward to seeing what new challenges your next case will bring!" -Carrie Sargavakian, CASA Supervisor- Multnomah County
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"Sometimes our CASA work can take an interesting turn. When CASA Lisa House advocated that the best placement for her CASA kiddo was not in stranger foster care or a group home, but back with the child's biological parents (even though their rights had been terminated many years ago) she didn't expect the judge to initially agree. Not only did the judge place the teen back with her parents on her recommendation, but the Judge had to terminate the DHS appointment to do so. This left the child's attorney and CASA to make sure that the best interests of the youth are met. Thank you
Lisa
for going the extra mile on this case and
working above and beyond CASA expectations!"
-Deborah Sakamoto, Lead CASA Supervisor, Multnomah County.
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"I want to acknowledge CASA Tony Carson for quite literally going the extra mile on your case! You have been traveling to McMinnville for over a year now providing stellar advocacy and educational support for your four CASA kiddos. There have been a fair share of bumps along the way with your case, and you have remained focused, good humored, wholeheartedly committed, and fiercely protective of the wellbeing of these kids. I admire how you will stand up multiple times in court to make sure you get your points across to the judge. This is just one example of how you are constantly sending a message to these children that you have their backs and will always go to bat for them." -Carrie Sargavakian, CASA Supervisor- Multnomah County
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"A super big THANK YOU for your years of service Maureen Lefere! Through the ups (less) and downs (more), you were a constant force to your CASA youth; always present, always a support, and always a superb advocate. I can't wait to see what you do on your second case!" - Jeni Bennett, Program Manager- Multnomah County
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"CASA Denise Koschmann, I’m not sure where to even start… You weathered some of the most emotionally tumultuous, heartbreaking, and convoluted turn of events with your case earlier this year and I want to recognize your resilience through it all. There were many things you did not have control over and that were gravely mishandled, yet you kept focused on what you felt was in the best interest of the child and took the necessary (albeit difficult) steps to keep the child safe. Your deep affection for this little trio of sisters is undeniable, and they are truly fortunate to have you advocating tirelessly on their behalf." -Carrie Sargavakian, CASA Supervisor- Multnomah County
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"I can't believe we are almost there Kim Cantu! I see a happy ending in sight with a successful adoption for your CASA child! Hat's off to you for your unending patience, your calm demeanor during the storm, your eloquent words to hold others accountable, and for keeping your humor during a long long long case finalization. Thank you for hanging in there!" - Jeni Bennett, Program Manager- Multnomah County
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Ambassador Board Spotlight:
Melissa Yacoby
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I first learned about CASA a little over ten years ago through my company, Fred Meyer Jewelers. We have always had someone on the Board of Directors and FMJ is a key sponsor and facilitator of the annual CASA Golf Classic. I had volunteered at several of the golf tournaments and attended the auction before I was a member of the Ambassador Board. I have even been involved with National CASA, as we donate proceeds from the sale of our CASA pendant to the organization. I have been on the Fundraising Committee for Jewelers for Children (JFC) for over ten years, and one of our charity partners is CASA. I have met several children through JFC that have had a CASA. To hear their stories and to hear how CASA “saved” them is definitely a reason that I support the cause.
Four years ago, when Kirsten Darrow, one of CASA's Board Members, sent me an email asking me if I would be interested in an Ambassador Board for CASA, I jumped at the opportunity. I have always had a passion for volunteering and fundraising and thought, "What better way to help than to be a member of this new board!" I attended my first meeting and was truly inspired. We had a CASA speak and I was moved to tears. I left that meeting and sent a text to Kirsten and to my boss Pete and said “Thank you for this opportunity. I think this is truly what I was meant to do.”
Since joining the Ambassador Board, I have made it my mission to tell everyone I know what CASA is all about. Advocating for children in foster care is so very important. I don’t want any child to feel lost or forgotten.
Anyone that knows me, knows how very much I love to fundraise. I will sell anything and everything to raise money for charity. I can’t even have a candy dish on my desk without someone asking me if I’m charging for it! I make it my passion to raise awareness about CASA and to raise as much money as I can. Every single dollar helps and I have fun doing it!
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From left, back row: David Petersen, Dena Heath, Heather Canby, Steve Gretzinger, Doug Stamm, Sue Corbett and Guy Randles.
From right, front row: Heidi King, Shannon Larisey, Mary Gay Broderick, Rebecca Jansen, Katy King-Goldberg, Keeva Haverkost, Sabine Monsees, and Jessica Rizer
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From left, front:
Judge Michelle Rini, Molly Malone, Donna Ogden, Geeta Fogarty, Jill Trantel, Sheryl Eldene,
Shelly Luey, Layton Borkan, Jodi Hughes, Susan Dininni, and Dolores Bennett. F
rom back, right:
Jerold Wikoff, Joe Calvert, David Willard, Linda Wedlake, Sharon Bolesky, and Heather MacIntyre
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Welcome CASA Board of Directors Members:
Justin Palfreyman & Trey Slinkard
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Justin Palfreyman
is the Vice President of Business Development at NW Natural, and has over 15 years of experience in strategy, finance and corporate development. He has volunteered for a number of organizations, including as a CASA.
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Trey Slinkard is a Senior Manager in the Advisory Services at Ernst & Young. He has been a volunteer for a number of community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters and CASA of Texas.
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Please join us for the 4th Annual Columbia County Benefit Breakfast in support of Columbia County’s most vulnerable children. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 7:30am, at the Meriwether Place in St. Helens, Oregon (1070 Columbia Blvd.). This complimentary breakfast also includes guest speakers, who will focus on the work CASA is doing in the community, as well as the dire need for more CASAs in the region. Click to RSVP today!
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On Sunday, August 27, join luminaries of Portland’s soul and jazz scene King Louie & Friends, in support of CASA’s mission to advocate for the rights, safety, and well being of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the courts. Tickets include a private concert at the beautiful Ponzi Vineyard, 2 glasses of award-winning Ponzi wine, and a gourmet dinner prepared by The Dundee Bistro. Shuttle available. Purchase your tickets today!
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In partnership with Fred Meyer Jewelers, the CASA Golf Classic will take place at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on September 11th. Last year’s tournament raised nearly $233,000 in support of CASA’s mission to advocate for the rights, safety, and well being of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the courts. We hope to raise even more at this year’s event to continue this important work. Click to learn more!
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Please join us for CASA for Children's A Thousand Thank Yous! This evening event on July 24th will recognize and honor the work of CASA volunteers, including awards for CASAs who have completed milestone service years, and the CASA of the Year of Multnomah, Washington & Columbia counties.
Click to RSVP today!
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