Monthly Buzz
News, Events, and Latest Updates
1 October 2018
For CASA volunteers
New Staff Members!












W+A Tickets Go On Sale
Our annual Wine+Art event will take place on November 3rd in DTLA (venue to be announced soon!). Tickets go on sale on September 3rd and are $50 per person. Tickets include wine tasting, small bites, and access to viewings and bidding on over 130 pieces of original art donated by local artists to support CASA/LA. You can purchase your tickets by visiting our website here .

Special Wine+Art Ticket Offer for CASAs
If you are a CASA volunteer, we are pleased to offer you a BOGO special (2 tickets for the price of 1) with a maximum purchase of 2 BOGO tickets = 4 tickets. Please contact Simone Sterling at 323-859-2888 x6353 or ssterling@casala.org by October 3rd to purchase your tickets or for more information.

Outreach
The outreach and recruitment team is always looking for ways to connect with communities and potential volunteers. If you belong to an organization, such as a service oriented, faith-based, or workplace group, that may be interested in connecting with CASA of Los Angeles, please reach out to our director of volunteer recruitment and outreach, Camrin Christensen, at cchristensen@casala.org .

PROBONO LIBRARY
Los Angeles Law Library is bringing together legal aid organizations, government agencies, social services, and community-based groups to provide free workshops and classes for the public for the Pro Bono Week starting October 22nd! Take advantage of this great opportunity to earn some continuing education hours! You can take a look at the classes and RSVP here .
ETO Corner

Need help with ETO or how to fill out forms in ETO? Please refer to the updated Advocate Handbook or join us at our weekly walk-in ETO clinics every Tuesday from 12pm-2pm in our Monterey Park office!

For ETO assistance, please contact Josh Saxelby-Valle at jsaxelby-valle@casala.org or 323.859.2888 x.6354 or Jessica Vallejo at jvallejo@casala.org or 323.859.288 8 x.6396.
CASA Connections
Casual, positive get-togethers organized by CASAs, for CASAs

Arcadia
When: Saturday, November 3rd, 10am-2pm
Where: CASA's home in Arcadia.
RSVP for the address
RSVP/Contact: Kathy Swanson at kswanson@advocatecasala.org

Interested in building your CASA Community? Connecting with your fellow CASAs can be a great way to learn about new resources and build support while having fun and meeting new friends. 
 
If you would like to host your very own CASA Connection in your neighborhood, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd ( bmudd@casala.org ) for assistance. 
CASA Book Clubs

If you would like to host a book club, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd at bmudd@casala.org .
From left to right: Farah Dabbagh, advocate supervisor; Lucy Le, volunteer recruitment and outreach coordinator; Deanna Berry, human resources manager; and Taina Longin, volunteer training specialist

Please join CASA/LA as we welcome four new staff members to our team!

Farah Dabbagh is our newest advocate supervisor! Farah has a MSW from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and has experience working as a trainer at Homeless Health Care, and supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence in the Midwest.

Lucy Le will be joining the volunteer recruitment and outreach team! Lucy graduated from Cal State Northridge, where she was involved with multiple on-campus organizations that focused on prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy.

Deanna Berry is our new human resources manager! Deanna comes with a long history and deep experience in human resources, and specializes in recruitment and staff development.

Taina Longin comes to CASA with great experience as a wrap-facilitator at Hillsides, and an academic tutor and volunteer training for Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and HOLA. She's also an amazing creative and technical writer, and speaks 5 languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Creole, and English)! She will be joining the training and volunteer services team as a training specialist!
Upcoming In-Services

You can download handouts from the in-services by going to our website and clicking on the " FOR ADVOCATES " tab!

Thursday, October 04, 2018
12:00pm-2:00PM
Monterey Park office

Wednesday, October 10, 2018
12:00pm-2:00PM
Monterey Park office

Wednesday, October 17, 2018
12:00pm-2:00PM
Monterey Park office

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
5:00PM-6:30PM
Antelope Valley (Location TBD)

Thursday, November 01, 2018
12:00pm-2:00PM
Monterey Park office

Tuesday, November 06, 2018
12:00pm-1:30PM
Monterey Park office

Wednesday, November 07, 2018
12:00pm-1:30PM
Quartz Hill Library (Antelope Valley)

Tuesday, December 04, 2018
12:00pm-2:00PM
Monterey Park office

Wednesday, December 05, 2018
5:00PM-6:30PM
Antelope Valley (Location TBD)
For CASA youth
ChildNet - Mental Health Referrals
ChildNet serves youth ages 0-18 in the Long Beach area who have Medi-Cal insurance, and currently has free mental health services available! Please visit their website here for more information or to make a referral and contact Allison Osburn-Corcoran, intake coordinator, at AOsburn-Corcoran@childnet.net .

Casa Youth Shelter -- Annual Youth Leadership Conference
Casa Youth Shelter is a collaborative of community stakeholders dedicated to the well-being of youth in Long Beach through partnerships, advocacy, and resource sharing. It is hosting a Youth Leadership Conference on October 20, 2018. It will be a productive day of self-discovery, friendship, cultural exchange, leadership building, and service. Youth will be attending a series of intensive workshops designed to educate and empower future leaders. This event is free for middle- and high-school students. Please register here .

Everyone Starts Somewhere: Networking Opportunity for Foster Youth
Foster Nation is hosting its 2nd annual networking event for foster youth - Everyone Starts Somewhere. This event is a fantastic way for foster youth to connect with and recieve advice from professionals of many different fields. The goal of this event is to provide foster youth with career advice and potential job opportunities. The event will be held on Saturday, October 27th, 2018 from 10AM-1PM. It will be held at the Cross Campus DTLA. Spots are limited so please encourage your youth to RSVP by October 13th here .

Foster Youth Conference
Pasadena City College is hosting their Foster Youth Conference on October 11th, 2018 from 8AM-2PM at the Creveling Lounge at PCC! For more information, please contact Theresa Reed at txreed@pasadena.edu !

Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholarship
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is awarding scholarships to Latino high school seniors for their accomplishments in the classroom and community, and excellence in various educational categories. Recipients may receive $3500 in educational grants. Students can apply here . Application deadline is October 15th, 2018. For more information about the scholarship and eligibility, please contact Brenda Camarillo at brenda@hispanicheritage.org .

Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights
Young Center supports volunteer advocates to spend time with and advocate on behalf of an unaccompanied immigrant child while he or she is subject to deportation proceedings. If you had a child in need of an advocate around immigration proceedings, please refer your child/youth to their program here .

WE LIFT LA
WE LIFT LA empowers transitional aged youth and young adults out of the foster care system by providing life skills services, consistent support, workshops, and counseling to make the shift from foster care to independence less challenging and more successful. The organization offers housing, life skills development, and job readiness and vocational training. Please go to their website here for more information.
CASA of Los Angeles | 323-859-2888 | www.casala.org