The Gist: CASA Volunteer News

April 2020: News, Events, and Opportunities for CASA Volunteers

Letter from CASA Executive Director Angela Rose

Dear CASA Volunteers:

April is both Child Abuse Prevention Month and National Volunteer Month. I could not be more grateful to all of you for the countless ways you have gone above and beyond to continue serving children through the COVID-19 crisis.

You are experiencing the same stress as everyone else in the world right now - worrying about everything from health to finances and from navigating a new work-from-home environment to ensuring your children's education continues. Yet through all of it, you continue to serve the most vulnerable children of our community. Thank you for your dedicated service!

You are all still making a huge impact! Earlier this month, one of you helped a foster teen obtain a computer and free internet so that he could take part in distance learning. Another one of you got to see your CASA baby laugh for the first time over video chat. A SEPT family thanked us for setting up virtual visits. One of you closed a case with a WebEx meeting that placed a teen in a permanent home. Many of you have kept in touch with the children and families on your cases via Skype, FaceTime, phone, and text.

Your dedication, combined with CASA's committed staff and the technology that makes remote work possible, has resulted in CASA not missing a beat during COVID-19. In fact, fourteen new advocates were sworn in this month in teleconference and zoom ceremonies, and we announced our first virtual advocate training which begins in May.

Our new normal has presented challenges and obstacles, but I am confident CASA will continue to move forward. Children who are at risk for abuse or neglect are more vulnerable now than they were before. As we expect to see a rise in child abuse during this time, we will make the necessary preparations to help all of the children that need us.

Thank you for everything you do! I hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and I look forward to seeing you all in person as soon as that is possible. If there is anything I can do to help you, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Warmly,
Angela

CASA holds first-ever Zoom swearing-in session

One thing we have learned this month is that COVID-19 cannot stop CASA. We held our first-ever Zoom swearing-in ceremony a week after our first teleconference ceremony. CASA has sworn in fourteen new advocates this month in modified ceremonies that respect social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Click here to read more.

#Give5Challenge5 Campaign empowers social media users to make a difference for children with $5!

If you are on Facebook or Instagram, you have prob ably noticed that we launched a fundraising campaign for Child Abuse Prevention Month this week. It's called #Give5Challenge5 and it empowers everyone in the community to make a difference for kids with just $5 and a social media post.

You can get involved with this campaign on Facebook or Instagram and we encourage you to do so because it's a great way to let your friends and family learn a little bit about the CASA mission! Read more about the campaign and how to get involved in this KOAA Channel 5 article.

Click here to go directly to the Facebook fundraiser.

Business Partner Spotlight: Budget Blinds

Michael and Dina Burwell have a special place in their hearts for children. Before the couple became owners of Budget Blinds in Colorado Springs, Dina had a long career in early childhood education. She witnessed firsthand the difference between children who grow up in loving, stable homes and children who grow up in turmoil. Learn more about Budget Blinds and why they support CASA!

New Resource Page on the CASA website provides tools and links for youth, families, and teens

CASA is pleased to announce a new and improved resource webpage on the CASA site. This page includes many links that will be helpful to CASA volunteers and their families, as well as to foster teens who are preparing for the transition to adulthood. The page will be regularly updated, so check it out now and put it in your bookmarks for later!

COVID-19 Updates

CASA is following the stay-at-home order for the state of Colorado. Staff is working from home; volunteers are only engaging with their CASA children by phone, Skype, Facetime, or Zoom; and CASA events and gatherings through April 30 are all cancelled or postponed. As we continue to monitor COVID-19, updates will be posted on this page.

Milton Foster Children's Fund

HAPPENINGS

Please note The Hanger is closed to shopping and donations until further notice. In addition, most Milton Foster Children's Fund teen events will be rescheduled, including our annual North Pole Event. Click here for more about teen events.

Inclusion Corner: Difference between Equality & Equity

Equality is treating everyone the same while equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. CASA's ED, Angela, likes to use this illustration to show the difference between the two words.

Here at CASA, we want to have equity, not just equality. What this means is that we may need to offer opportunities or access to some, where others do not need it. We must be fair and have processes in place to make sure we do this, and sometimes we may have to challenge and change a process or a system. If you have any ideas on areas where CASA could strive to be more equitable, please email Angela at [email protected].

Nominate CASA for $500 reward from Signup Genius!

In honor of National Volunteer Month, SignUpGenius is celebrating nonprofits by inviting supporters to nominate their favorite nonprofit to win one of three $500 rewards. Click here to nominate CASA of the Pikes Peak Region!

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region | 719-447-9898 | casappr.org