The Prison of Poverty
Kate Duvall, Piedmont CASA President
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When kids grow up in poverty, just about everything is out of reach: health, food security, a good education, stable employment … can you imagine facing the world with so little? Yet this is the background of most of the kids we serve, 88% of whom come from homes struggling to survive at or below the federal poverty line.
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Jimmy "Magic Man" Miller's Bracket Breakfast
raised $66,000 for PCASA kids
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We had a stellar line up for the Bracket Breakfast including John Grisham, Jim Ryan, Barry Parkhill, and Debbie Ryan - but the real star was Stephen Perry, a young man in our Bridges to Success program. When he spoke about what his CASA Volunteer and Bridges Coach meant to him, the room was hushed. But Stephen wasn't just describing their value to him, he was describing how important each of our CASA Volunteers and Bridges to Success Coaches are to every child and youth we serve.
The Bracket Breakfast was livestreamed, so you can see it on our YouTube Channel, or click the link below. Stephen's speech begins around 44:30.
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Kudos to our Bracket Breakfast Committee!
Jim Miller, Chair
Jess Achenbach | Josh Arbaugh | Kate Hamilton | R. Peter Kilburn
Crystal King | Steve Rappaport | Gabe Schneider | Rick Wampler
And HUGE THANKS to all our sponsors!
Scroll down for a list of the folks who made the Bracket Breakfast possible.
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Meet Our New Board Members
Interviews by Cathy Eberly, CASA Volunteer
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James Gelly
Last year when board chair Jack Bocock introduced his friend James Gelly to Piedmont CASA and its work, James could not have been more impressed. “If ever there was something I would support wholeheartedly, this is it,” James says.
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Meara Habashi
When Meara Habashi moved to Charlottesville last year to join the senior staff of the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, she looked for ways to become engaged in her new community. A conversation with a colleague led her to Piedmont CASA.
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Annie Izard
More than twelve years ago, Annie Izard was ready for a job through which she could advocate for children. A University of Virginia graduate who had trained as an attorney at George Mason University, she was on her way to becoming a guardian ad litem. But her plans changed when she had a chance encounter in the local courthouse with Piedmont CASA founding president Ruth Stone.
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Joel Reich
“I am happy to be back,” says Joel Reich of his recent appointment to the Piedmont CASA board of directors. Joel’s previous affiliation with a CASA organization ended a good fifteen years ago in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he served first as volunteer, and later, as a board member.
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Our Website Speaks Many Languages
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In early February, we installed a translator on the Piedmont CASA website. Simply go to the upper left corner and click on the light green button that reads "English", a dropdown menu will offer these choices: Spanish, French, Arabic, Italian, Russian, and German. Choose one and the page is almost instantly translated.
We are already hearing that it has made a world of difference to the families of the children we serve.
We are also in the process of translating relevant documents into Spanish and Arabic. UVA law student Layla Khalid (right) was an enormous help in finalizing the Arabic translations. Thank you, Layla!
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Piedmont CASA is embarking on a strategic planning process to help define our vision for the future as well as identify goals and objectives for the organization.
As stakeholders, you are an important part of this process. We want to know what you think, what you recommend, what is working great, and what needs improvement.
Please help us make the most meaningful improvements we can by taking a few moments to fill out this Stakeholder Survey. Thank you!
Deadline April 8
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In mid-April, Piedmont CASA Is launching a new blog – but we need a name for it! The new blog will discuss relevant issues facing the Charlottesville community as well as nationwide. Issues such as affordable housing, food insecurity, what happens after the tax credits expire, the shortage in child care workers, parenting, and more. It will also introduce you to members of the PCASA staff, fellow Volunteers, and some of the folks we work with in the child welfare system.
Help us find a great name for the blog - and you could win a gift card from Albemarle Baking Company!
Contest ends April 7
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Calling All Bluebird Artists
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THE GOAL
One original bluebird artwork to represent each unique child in foster care in our community. In addition to our online Bluebird Parade, we are planning a live parade this year, which will take place on the historic downtown mall on Friday, May 6. Stay tuned for details!
THE BLUEBIRD ART
Paintings, sculptures, wood, fabric, glass - bluebirds in any medium including songs, videos, poetry, and prose.
HOW TO ENTER
Just email bluebird@pcasa.org. Include a photo or scan of your bluebird art so we can post it online.
YOU COULD WIN
A $200 Amazon Gift Card.
DEADLINE
April 30
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"Bluebird Kids" by Cynthia Burke |
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Want to get more involved?
Join Friends of CASA!
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Advocating for vulnerable children in our community since 1995 |
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PIEDMONT CASA | 434.971.7515 | VOLUNTEER@PCASA.ORG | PCASA.ORG
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