159 COUNTIES NOW HAVE CASA ADVOCACY WITH OPENING OF CASA OF HENRY COUNTY |
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In conjunction with Georgia CASA's 35th anniversary, CASA services are now in all 159 counties in the state! CASA of Henry County, Inc., is the final CASA affiliate to be developed and will officially open in June. The CASA affiliate will be led by Executive Director Lisa Dawodu. We are excited about the impact the CASA affiliate program will have on children, families, and volunteers in the communities located in Henry County, just south of Atlanta.
To celebrate this momentous milestone, Georgia CASA hosted a "159 Celebration" on the evening of May 18th at The Wimbish House in Atlanta. About 125 guests were in attendance to include current and former board members, staff, and affiliate directors, founders, donors, funders, judges, collaborative partners, and long-time supporters.
Georgia CASA is so appreciative to everyone over the past 35 years who has championed best-interest advocacy for children in foster care and worked alongside Georgia CASA to ensure the success and expansion of CASA services throughout the state. As Jen King, Executive Director, stated at the celebration, "Tonight, we come together to celebrate that no matter a child’s zip code or county of origin, they are just as likely to have a trusted adult advocate, and one day soon we hope every child will. This possibility is now within reach. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning, joined in the past decade, or are new to the CASA family, it takes each and every one of us and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 159 counties than with all of you. Thank you for believing in the vision that together, in community, all children will have the opportunity to thrive."
Pictured above: Kathie Gannon, Co-Founder; Duaine Hathaway, former Executive Director; Jen King, Executive Director; Ann Barrett, Life Board Member; Marie Barnes, former First Lady of Georgia and Honorary Chairperson; and Roy Barnes, former Governor of Georgia
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GEORGIA CASA CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE AUGUST 12TH IN ATLANTA |
The Georgia CASA Conference will be held on Saturday, August 12th at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center. You'll want to join us for the largest statewide event in Georgia to include CASA staff, board members, volunteers, and others supporters from child welfare to network and learn best practices. The day-long conference will include three workshop blocks, an Opening Session, and the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.
Awards will be given to two affiliate CASA programs, an affiliate board member, a CASA champion, and the CASA Volunteer of the Year. You will be inspired by the luncheon's keynote speaker, Natosha Reid Rice. She is the Global Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Habitat for Humanity International as well as the Minister for Public Life at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
A sampling of workshop topics to date includes supporting parent partnerships, addiction and parenting, and educational advocacy for youth in foster care.
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Thank you to our donors who supported the work of Georgia CASA for Winter 2023. Because of your investment, children in foster care in Georgia are assigned a CASA volunteer to provide best-interest advocacy. We truly appreciate your investment in children!
Check out our Donor News Update that highlights some accomplishments to date during this fiscal year.
If you are not yet part of our donor group, you can give online here! Please consider becoming a Georgia CASA donor or give your next gift as a recurring donor. In honor of the recent CASA services expansion to all 159 counties, would you consider a gift of $159? Your support is greatly appreciated!
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TWO GEORGIA JUDGES, FORMERLY CASA VOLUNTEERS, RECOGNIZED IN NATIONAL CASA/GAL PUBLICATION |
In the April edition of CASA Matters, the monthly e-newsletter from The National CASA/GAL Association for Children, two judges in Georgia are highlighted as former CASA volunteers now serving as judges who champion children and families. The article features Honorable Amanda N. Heath of Augusta Superior Court and Honorable Wenona Clark Belton of the Juvenile Court of Fulton County.
Pictured below: (l) Judge Amanda Heath and (r) Judge Wenona Clark Belton
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EVENT WRAP-UP: 2023 GEORGIA CASA LUNCHEON &
FASHION SHOW, "CASA ON THE CATWALK"
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Georgia CASA's annual signature fundraiser took place on April 26th in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. With featured fashions from Tootsies, the event was moderated by Deidra Dukes of FOX5 Atlanta. Keynote speaker Nicole Love Hendrickson, Chairwoman, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, gave an inspiring message to the 300 people in attendance. Bernadette Hartfield, Georgia CASA life board member and Associate Professor of Law Emerita – Georgia State University College of Law, was honored at the event.
Pictured above: CASA on the Catwalk Event Committee, led by Co-Chairs Kimberly Meisel and Nicole Postlewaite
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Jen King, Georgia CASA’s Executive Director, was awarded by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) in late April with the Georgia Crime Victim Service Collaborative and Innovative Project Award. The award recognizes an individual for ongoing commitment to promoting a comprehensive, coordinated, victim-centered, and unified community response and celebrating the extraordinary contributions to the lives of victims and survivors.
Congratulations Jen! We are proud of this accomplishment and thankful for your leadership!
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Be sure to check out our Impact Report covering the work of Georgia CASA during our most recent past fiscal year, July 2021 to June 2022.
During the past fiscal year, nearly 2,600 advocates provided best-interest advocacy to over 9,000 children experiencing foster care in Georgia. Georgia CASA remains committed as ever to strengthening and supporting the local CASA affiliates each and every day, as evidenced by the interconnections and respect that extends to all corners of the state.
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June 6 - 8: New Volunteer Supervisor Training (Macon)
August 29 - 31: Training of the Facilitator (Macon)
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Video About The Role of a CASA Volunteer
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Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?
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Support Georgia CASA through Kroger Community Rewards! Our rewards number is IY574 or search by our full name - Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | 800-251-4012 | gacasa.org
In partnership with local affiliates, our goal is that every child who must enter state custody will benefit from the best interest advocacy of a trusted, consistent CASA volunteer. We remain dedicated to supporting the CASA network in the provision of CASA volunteers for every child who comes to the attention of the juvenile court due to abuse or neglect.
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