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CASA of Santa Barbara County
is serving more children than ever before!
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Dear Friends of CASA,
During the past fiscal year we served 509 children, which is more than ever before. Unfortunately, our work is not done. There are children in our community waiting for a CASA volunteer, so we continue to work hard to make sure they get the advocacy they need as soon as possible.
We believe It is our responsibility, as a community, to care for these children during what is surely the most stressful and chaotic time of their life.
I want to share a story with you that a volunteer recently told me:
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Patrick* was eight years old and living with his grandmother when he was placed under the protection of the juvenile court due to severe neglect.
His mother had died of a drug overdose when he was just five years old, and he never had a stable adult to care for him. Fortunately, a CASA volunteer stepped up to be Patrick's advocate.
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Patrick's volunteer shared with me that he was worried about the level of stress Patrick was experiencing. Patrick had been shuffled through several foster homes, barely even getting to unpack his belongings before having to do it all over again. Just eight years old, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Patrick told his CASA volunteer that he was worried about getting lost in all of the moves and that his CASA volunteer would not be able to find him. “What if they move me to Nipomo?” Patrick asked. His CASA volunteer replied,
“Even if they move you to China, I will find you. You will never be lost.”
This is the security that we give children when we pair them with a CASA volunteer who sees them every week, checking in on what is happening in their life. Learning what scares them, and what they hope for.
Thank you for being a CASA friend and supporter.
Sincerely,
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Kim Colby Davis
Executive Director, CASA of Santa Barbara County
P.S. If you are thinking it is time to join the CASA team, we welcome you. Kids are waiting, and we want to make sure that every child in need has an advocate.
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*Names, pictures, and details of a case are always changed to protect the identity of the children and families involved.
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CASA at the Ranch is October 22nd!
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Join us for Mid-Day at the Oasis, our enchanting Moroccan themed fundraiser at CMT Ranch.
Enjoy wine and beer tastings from over a dozen different local wineries, a wonderful dinner catered by Testa's, and TONS of fun! Check out our
Facebook page
for sneak peaks of this year's amazing auction items.
Don't miss out, get your tickets today!
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We've got an incredible lineup of wines and beers to taste!
Local favorites like Riverbench Winery, Kita Wines, Cottonwood Canyon Winery and Naughty Oak Brewing Co. will be doing tastings for event guests!
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You won't want to miss out on our auction items!
Imagine yourself enjoying an incredible five-course Louisiana style meal, golfing in Northern California, staying in a French Chateau... anything is possible at the Oasis!
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Guild Mortgage Went All-In for CASA Teens!
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Guild Mortgage of Santa Maria donates 30 high-quality backpacks to CASA teens in foster care.
On Friday, September 29, CASA had the honor of picking up a donation of 30 backpacks stuffed with essential items for our CASA teens in foster care.
“I’m so proud that my staff was able to come together and give the kids these items,” stated Cyndi Nunez, Branch Manager of Guild Mortgage. It was truly an act of compassion, Guild Mortgage employees put their full hearts into completing this fundraiser. We're so fortunate to have such amazing community support!
Read more about Guild Mortgage's fundraising efforts
here.
How will you help CASA?
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Welcome to our new CASA volunteers
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In September, five new CASA Volunteers were sworn in by the Honorable Arthur A. Garcia.
This class has a wonderful mixture of backgrounds from active duty military members, former foster youth, and veterans. Don Deming, our newest Advocate Supervisor for the Santa Barbara office, also completed training with this group and is pictured here.
These advocates will serve some of the children still on our waiting list. We need many more community members to join them!
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Help us CONNECT with our COMMUNITY!
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- Follow us on Facebook
- Forward this email to 3 of your friends
- Recommend someone as a CASA Volunteer
- Tell our story, share the impact of CASA
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This newsletter is supported by our event sponsors who support our mission to serve every abused and neglected child in Santa Barbara County. We encourage you to visit them and tell them thanks!
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