Monthly Buzz
News, Events, and Latest Updates
1 January 2018
For CASA volunteers
Spreading the word this holiday season
As you spend time with family and friends this holiday season, please share the wonderful work that you do as a CASA volunteer, and encourage your family and friends to consider joining CASA! Contact Camrin Christensen, our director of volunteer recruitment and outreach, with any questions at cchristensen@casala.org .
CASA Connections
Casual, positive get-togethers organized by CASAs, for CASAs

Los Feliz
What: Urban Hike / Lunch Social: Los Feliz to Griffith Observatory and back
When: Saturday January 26, 11 a.m.
Where: CASA's home in Los Feliz
RSVP for the address
What to bring: Whatever you need for a 90 minute hike
RSVP: Nathan Fox,  nathan@foxlsat.com
The hike is about 4 miles roundtrip with some steepness, but can be taken as slowly as needed. We'll have a casual lunch afterward at the CASA's home. If you want to skip the hike and just join for lunch, that's fine too!

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. 
Upcoming In-Services

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

Thursday, January 17, 2018
12:00pm-1:30PM
Monterey Park office

More in-services to come in the new year!
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 Book Clubs

San Fernando Valley Book Club
Where: CASA's home in Studio City
RSVP for the address
When: January 22nd, 7:00pm
"Educated" by: Tara Westover
Contact: Renne Bilson at rjbilson@aol.com

Coastline Book Club
Where: CASA's home in Santa Monica
RSVP for the address
When: January 23rd, 1:00pm
"The Deepest Well: Healing the Long Term Effects of Childhood Trauma" by: Nadine Burke Harris
Contact: Linda Levine at levine@malibuonline.com

If you would like to host a book club, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd at bmudd@casala.org .
For CASA youth
Fostering Hope LA
Fostering Hope LA provides job readiness training and Christian mentorship to transitional aged youth. Classes are 8-week sessions, starting in February 2019 on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30PM to 8:00PM. Participants will hear stories from former foster youth about their successes, speak with business owners, life coaches, and educational advocates, and be paired with a mentor. For more information, please refer to their website here .

Idyllwild Arts Camp
Are you working with a CASA youth age 14-18 (during the summer of 2019) who is showing some talent/interest in the arts? If so, watch for the CASA/Idyllwild Arts Camp Scholarship applications out early January for a February 25, 2019 deadline.

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 .

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