January 2019: News, Events, and Opportunities for CASA Volunteers 
 
 Letter from CASA Executive Director Angela Rose  
 
Dear CASA Volunteers:
 
Happy 2019! I hope the new year is treating all of you well. Here at CASA, we're off to a fast and furious start as we begin our 30th year in the Pikes Peak Region. That's right... 2019 is our 30th anniversary year and we'll be celebrating all year long!   
 
Hopefully you plan to attend the annual volunteer meeting on February 12. You all should have received an email invite yesterday. The event will be held at Pikes Peak Hospice and there are two time slots you can choose from (1-2 PM or 6-7 PM). Click here for more on that event.  
 
During the meeting next month, I'll give my State of CASA address and also tell you about an exciting activity we're planning to get volunteers involved in the Community Campaign.  
 
Please note our office will be closed this Monday, Jan. 21 in honor of MLK Day.    
 
Thank you all so much for everything you do! If you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to contact me directly at [email protected].  
 
Sincerely,
Angela 
 
Upcoming Trainings & Events for Volunteers  
 
Listed below are some upcoming events you might be interested in. Full details are available by clicking the links below or by visiting the CASA event calendar.  
   
Jan. 19:   Educating Children of Color   
Feb 8: Volunteer Info Hour (to share!) 
 
Please note: The CASA office, as well as The Hanger, will be closed Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  
 
Milton Foster Children's Fund
HAPPENINGS
  • Art Class
  • Teen Life Skills
  • Guitar Lessons
  • Tutoring Opportunities
A special teen life skills class on Healthy Relationships is slated for Feb. 9! Click here to learn more about this class and all of our other teen events.  
Staff Changes in the Dependency & Neglect Program  

CASA is pleased to announce that Brittany Wilson has been promoted to Dependency & Neglect Program Manager. Brittany, who has been with CASA since 2016, served as a D&N Case Supervisor for the past two years and as SEPT Volunteer Coordinator for the 9 months prior. She is moving into the position left vacant by Crystal Erickson last month.

" I am most excited to see the D&N program reach a level that we have not seen before," she said.  "We have made an immense amount of progress the last couple of years and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead such a well-rounded, dynamic team of staff and volunteers."

Joining Brittany's team in the D&N department are two new faces: Germaine Garcia and Kristina Wrobleski both who have come on board as D&N Case Supervisors. Germaine joined CASA from the Department of Human Services where she served as a case worker. Previously, she worked as a residential case manager for TESSA. Kristina is going on a year of serving as a CASA advocate who has continuously impressed the professionals on her cases, and was most recently employed as a volunteer coordinator and care portal administrator for a local church.

Next time you're in the office, join us in congratulating these ladies! (PHOTO L-R: Kristina Wrobleski, Brittany Wilson, Germaine Garcia)

Save the Date: Light of Hope is on April 11, 2019!  

 
CASA's annual Light of Hope fundraiser will return to the Antlers Hotel Ballroom on April 11. There will again be a breakfast and lunch program. Please see more information here, or contact Jill Cheetham to host a table, reserve your spot, or inquire about sponsorships. 

CASA Teller County program has moved into the Woodland Professional Building 
 

CASA's Teller County program has moved to a new location. Effective now, you can find CASA above the clouds in the Woodland Professional Building at 400 U.S. Hwy 24, Suite 225 in Woodland Park.

And just for fun... when Teller County Program Manager Janet Stoddard was looking for a used office desk for the new space, she found one that needed a new home because its owners were training to become foster parents and needed to clear out space in their home for a new bunk bed! Now how's that for coincidence?
Santa Shop brightens holidays for 278 foster children  
 
Thanks to the generosity of the community, CASA's Santa Shop went off without a hitch again in 2018.

Up for grabs to CASA advocates were new toys, books, games, clothing, pajamas, coats, and more for the children on their CASA cases.

127 children received gifts from Santa Shop. In addition to the items for young children, the shop also offered gift cards or filled stocking to foster teens and 151 teens received a gift. In all, Santa Shop brightened the holidays for 278 foster children. 

A few of the local TV stations even came down to the office to help us spread the word of the community's generosity. Click here to see the KOAA segment.
   
REMINDER: Custom quilts available for CASA kids!  
 
Advocate Sarah Hogan recently picked up a custom quilt for her CASA child, made by volunteer Sandra Kyner.  
 
"I picked it up today and it is so lovely.  I am sure my little CASA kid will love having something warm, that was made just for her," Sarah said. "What a valuable and thoughtful gift for kids who are going through a lot."
 
Want to request a custom quilt for your CASA child? Contact Angela at [email protected] and tell her what type of character or theme your child might enjoy on a quilt.