"If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time."
Marian Wright Edelman,
President of the Children's Defense Fund
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JULIE AND MICHAEL CHRISTMAS STOCKING
BOWLING EVENT
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Tippecanoe County CASA is hosting a Michael and Julie Christmas Stocking Bowling Event to raise funds to purchase Christmas gifts for the 400+ children in our community who have experienced abuse or neglect.
We hope that you will consider bowling with us! Feel free to invite your friends and family too. Everybody is welcome to participate.a
WHEN:
September 21, 12pm - 3pm
COST:
$25 cash donation per bowler
You may register as an individual or teams up to 5 bowlers.
We are also seeking donations from local businesses or sponsors. If you would like to sponsor our event, please
click this link
or contact our office.
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING YOUTH OF INDIANA:
IDENTIFICATION AND COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT OF
VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS
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In this training, you will:
- Learn about the scope of human trafficking among youth in Indiana.
- Recognize the risk factors that lead to vulnerability and the red flags that may indicate a trafficking situations.
- Understand the reasons victims don't reach out for help.
- Learn how to report a trafficking situation.
- Discover ways to connect survivors with resources and services.
WHEN:
Thursday, September 19 from 9:00 - 11:00
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WHO:
The Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program works to identify and provide comprehensive services to victims (24 and under) of trafficking or sexual exploitation.
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STEWARDS OF CHILDREN:
TRAINING ON THE PROBLEM OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE
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The Stewards of Children training will increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and change child protective behaviors. During the session, you will learn:
- Facts about the problem of child sexual abuse.
- The types of situations in which child sexual abuse might occur.
- Simple, effective strategies for protecting children from sexual abuse.
- The importance of talking about the prevention of sexual abuse with children and other adults.
- The signs of sexual abuse so that you might intervene and react responsibly.
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You'll leave the session with:
- Knowledge about the prevalence, consequences, and circumstances of child sexual abuse.
- Skills to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
- A commitment to action via a personal prevention plan.
WHEN:
Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 - 7:30
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We had a wonderful time with you this summer! Our Annual Summer Picnic was a fun afternoon of catching up, eating tasty hot dogs, sides, and desserts, and enjoying the beautiful weather.
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WELCOMING OUR AUGUST TRAINING CLASS
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Congratulations to our new volunteers! The Honorable Faith Graham swore them in as officers of the court on September 4.
Please welcome Christian Beaver, Shirley Hayman, Allyssa Napier, Austin Reed, Kris Samuel, Alex Macias, and Christina Thomas to the team.
If you know somebody who would make a good CASA, please refer them to
our website
, where they can fill out an application. Our next training begins in November.
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The CASA Cycling Challenge raised over $125,000! We are so thankful for all of you that volunteered, rode in the event, and participated. Your efforts are making an incredible difference in our community!
We want to especially thank the CASAs For Kinds Fund board. Their fundraising have provided us with the means to continue to serve the children of our community.
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Brent Russell and Bob Bauman captured these great moments from the 2019 CASA Cycling Challenge. Thank you, Brent and Bob!
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Please refer to the linked documents to learn more about a specific topic. We hope these resources will help you advocate for the children you serve.
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LGBT YOUTH
The section on childhood is relevant to our work as CASAs.
OLDER YOUTH
This document can help CASAs and other child welfare professionals talk to older youth about permanency.
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LINDY SCHUBRING: CASA SINCE DECEMBER 2018
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Why did you become a CASA?
I became a CASA because I was looking for an impactful way to get involved in our community. I have always had a heart for kids specifically, and so CASA quickly became a perfect fit!
What is your occupation?
I am the kitchen manager at Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co., a coffee shop right on Purdue’s campus. I am in charge of making our homemade doughnuts, crepes, and flavored syrups for our lattes!
How did you hear about the CASA program?
My mentor introduced me to CASA and suggested that I apply.
What do you enjoy to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy reading, spending time with friends, and cooking for others. I also love watching live theater and traveling when I get the chance!
My photo is from a trip I took to New Zealand last March. I got to visit Hobbiton, where they filmed scenes from
The Lord of the Rings
trilogy. It was amazing!
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What is your best advice for fellow volunteers?
Although I am still in my first year of being a CASA, the best piece of advice I can share is to make sure you give yourself adequate time and space to process what is going on with your cases.
I am a big fan of journaling! I find that when I intentionally set aside time to process, I have a learner mindset when making recommendations and I am in a better state of mind to face the rest of the day
.
What have you learned while being a CASA?
I have learned so much in such a short amount of time!
I have learned a lot about myself, our community, and how to care well for my kids. I have learned that the time I spend with them has a greater impact than I will ever understand.
But, most importantly, I have learned that I am not alone in wanting to make a difference in these kids’ lives.
Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout this journey!
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KEVIN LETCHER: CASA SINCE MARCH 2018
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Why did you become a CASA?
I became a CASA because it is noble to advocate on behalf of children. This work has a positive impact on many, many lives that will span decades.
In the same vein, being a CASA has a positive impact on our social ecology. Working in tandem with DCS and a broad spectrum of providers enables CASAs to shape the future of our communities and the nation by zealously advocating for children and being the voice of the voiceless.
What is your occupation?
I recently retired, but I serve on four church committees.
I am a Read to Succeed volunteer, Wabash Youth Symphony board member, creator and leader of the Miller Success Academy Mentoring Circle at Miller Elementary School, and a CASA.
How did you hear about the CASA program?
An article in the Lafayette Journal and Courier motivated me to apply for the CASA role.
What do you enjoy to do in your spare time?
I am a voracious reader and read four newspapers daily — the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and the Lafayette Journal and Courier. I also subscribe to several magazines including Business Week, The Economist, Fortune, Forbes, and Living Lutheran. I love reading autobiographies.
I work out a minimum of five days a week and enjoy spending time with family. We have traveled extensively and enjoy this in our spare time.
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What is your best advice for fellow volunteers?
Keep Optima updated and record only the facts in a clear, concise, and cogent manner. Having your thoughts well organized in Optima will provide you confidence if you have to testify and significantly reduce the time you spend authoring reports.
Most important is maintaining excellent relationships with DCS, attorneys, vendors, guardians, the child, ect. You cannot be an effective CASA unless you have the ability to maintain healthy, supportive relationships.
It is imperative the CASA focus on the best interest of the child and being an advocate. This requires professionalism, patience and the ability to "remove the noise from the room." This helps the CASA remains focused and in a proactive posture to be a resource.
What have you learned while being a CASA?
Being a CASA has reinforced the 4 "Ls" — Look, Listen, Learn, and Lead.
An effective CASA is a leader who can influence by credibility established in relationships based on mutual trust and understanding.
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We hope that the CASA spotlight will allow you to get to know your fellow volunteers better. If you are interested in being featured, please contact Hannah at hditzenberger@tippecanoe.in.gov.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW SUPERVISOR, BILL GALLAGHER
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Bill Gallagher is our new full-time volunteer supervisor.
Congratulations, Bill!
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INTRODUCING KATHY MOORE, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
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Kathy joined our team as an administrative assistant at the end of July. We love having her here!
Here's a bit about Kathy in her own words:
"I am very excited to be joining the CASA team as an administrative assistant.
I am a lifelong resident of Lafayette and have spent 23 years working in county government with a two-year break working at Purdue University.
I like to spend my free time working in my garden or spending time with my family. I am looking forward to being a part of such an important organization."
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To
Kevin Koors
, who entered retirement,
Cadi Bien
for receiving her master's degree,
and
Lauren McDaniel
for her recent marriage.
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Did you experience a major life event recently? Is there some accomplishment that you're proud of? Let us know! We'd love to learn about it and congratulate you.
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Best wishes to all CASAs with birthdays in July, August, and September!
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Jennifer Frey
Dawn Anson Spitznagle
Howard Edwards
Kim Tricoche
Margaret Yarnall
Judith Hahn
Verdell Releford
Alex Macias
Sherry Hunter
Heidi Allwes
Megan Cotterman
Sarah Wyatt
Stan Kappes
Kevin Letcher
John Obermeyer
Charles Stewart
Mary Blichmann
Mary Conner
Mary Ann Wiebers
Billie Bruce
Christina Thomas
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Tari Seeger
John Gick
Carol Robicheaux
Derek Streeter
Lauren McDaniel
Susan Goecker
Thomas Kent
Stanley Harlow
Robert Mulvey
David Hoover
Jill Plante
Crystal Lopez
LeAnne Johnson
Brittany Mihalec-Adkins
Cheryl Blank
Joyce Sheets
Jane Stewart
Donald Waters
Virginia Black
Valeska Hilbun
Donna Meloy
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Thanks for reading! We appreciate your support, your volunteer efforts, and your dedication to children.
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