April Newsletter

Message from the Executive Director

Acknowledging the Greatness of our Volunteers

Selflessness is not an attribute often associated with greatness.

Greatness is more thought of as being derived from power, charisma, achievement and wealth.

There is a powerful aspect of greatness that results when someone quietly does something for others. The sacrifice of one’s time, energy and other resources in ways that are not seen on behalf of those who will never repay is a thing of beauty and of greatness.

This is an aspect of our work at CASA that provides great inspiration for me. Daily there are numerous examples of greatness within the people who fulfill our mission. Quiet sacrifices are made daily so that children and youth in foster care will a healthy and successful future. These sacrifices are made by volunteer advocates, board members, donors and volunteers assisting with recruiting, the Crab Feed fundraiser and the new upcoming car show benefitting CASA.

If you are involved in CASA, I am honored to work with you and support you. If you aren’t involved yet, please get in touch with us to explore how you can help children and youth in foster care!

Gratefully,

Nathan Lee, Executive Director

Mission Moment

Marni Cotter

For more than a year, Marni has been assigned to two sisters who are among five siblings in four different placements. Having the family spread out among so many placements made it difficult to maintain connections between the siblings. Despite direction that the children were to see each other through regular visits, the department was leaving it up to care providers to coordinate and manage those visits. Over the last year sibling visits happened infrequently.

Marni continued to press social workers to ensure visits were happening. Finally, she brought it to the attention of the dependency court judge, who stepped in and ordered that visits occur on a regular basis. As a result, these important family connections are being reestablished and maintained for the children. It’s just a small way that CASA can intervene in areas that often go overlooked to try and make life better for foster youth.

Looking Back

9th Annual Continuing Education Kickoff

More Continuing Education Kickoff Photos

April 2018: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Read More about Child Abuse Prevention

Coming Up

Voices of Hope is an event to recognize the efforts of our advocates over the past year and to encourage, inspire, and thank all advocates for what they do. Invitations to follow.

CASA Advocate, Harry Cline, is a car guy and is heading up a team of other classic car enthusiasts who are organizing the 1 ^st Annual CASA Classic Car Show to be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Sierra Bicentennial Park in Clovis. All proceeds from the event will go to CASA of Fresno & Madera Counties.

The team hopes to attract at least 200 of the top classic cars and motorcycles in the valley. Besides raising funds for CASA, it will be a great exposure to the communities of Fresno, Clovis and Madera.

We will be looking for helping hands from CASA advocates and supporters. Contact Meghan Scott ( meghanscott@casafresno.org ) if you would like to participate by volunteering for this event. We are also looking for participants to register their classic car for the chance to win the prestigious 1 ^st annual award. Email Harry Cline with any questions about the event ( harrycline@casafresno.org ) .

Mark your calendar for June 2 ^nd and look for more information shortly on how you can get involved!

Purchase Tickets

Contact Meghan Scott ( meghanscott@casafresno.org ) or 559.244.6485 for more information about our 20th Annual Crab Feed Fundraiser!

Become an Advocate

Would you or someone you know like to learn more about becoming an Advocate? Contact Megan Bean, Recruiting Specialist ( meganbean@casafresno.org ) or 559.244.6485 to learn more and sign up for an Information Session!

Continuing Education - April 2018

4/3/18: Journey of Hope 6-12 "Understanding the World of Visitation"

4/11/18: Madera "Beyond Therapy: Therapeutic Behavioral Services and Intensive Treatment Foster Care Program"

4/12/18: Journey of Hope 13-18 "Employment Readiness"

4/19/18: Continuing Education Class: "Assisting and Supporting Foster Youth as Victims of Crime"

4/25/18: Journey of Hope 0-5 "Guidelines and Tips for Observing Visitation"

Classes are held at the CASA office from 6:15-8:15 pm unless otherwise noted