Voices for Children Montgomery
1010 Grandin Avenue, Suite B-3
Rockville, MD 20851
Phone: 301.340.7458
Fax:301.686.8574
Email: mail@casamontgomery.org
IN THIS NEWSLETTER: Volunteer Spotlight | Upcoming Pre-Service Training | Volunteer Anniversaries | Donors Making a Difference | Volunteers Needed
Dear friends, benefactors, and volunteers:

As the COVID-19 situation continues to impact our community, Voices for Children Montgomery (VFCM) staff members continue to work from home with access to e-mail , telephone, and video conferencing. Monthly supervision meetings with volunteers are being conducted by telephone or video chat. We are also conducting volunteer pre-service and in-service training remotely.

Our CASA volunteers are also keeping regular contact with professionals and caregivers by telephone and email; we have asked volunteers to refrain from in-person visits with children until further notice. These measures aim to serve the well-being of children and families, caregivers, professionals, and our own volunteers.

Please contact our Office Manager, Nancy King, at the main VFCM telephone number (301-340-7458 ext. 201) if you have any questions.
Voices for Children Montgomery is committed to fighting racism that has, for far too long, brutalized black and brown people in our Country, and especially impacted children in foster care. We think the following statement by the CEO of National CASA, Tara Perry, says it well:

The inhumane and senseless death of Mr. George Floyd and the many others who have gone before him has rocked this nation and serves as a reminder that there is still so much work to do in our country to address the evils of racism and indifference that it can breed. It’s also a stark reminder that inequality, inequity and disproportionality exist across all facets of our society, including our work with children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

As an organization, we believe it’s important that we align with our mission, vision and values, inclusively understand and promote the well-
being of our network and build cultural competence among staff and volunteers. By doing this, we are working to ensure equitable outcomes for all children, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.

These sobering times serve as a reminder that it’s going to take all of us, working together, to make life better for ourselves, each other and the children and families we serve.
Pre-Service Training For Prospective Volunteers Starts June 20! 
*Training will be online

Volunteer Spotlights Spring 2020
Elli Stephanede is the CASA for 11-year-old Anna*. Anna is currently placed in a foster home and has been struggling with not being able to see her family due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, Elli and Anna would have bi-weekly, in-person visits, where they would sometimes grab dinner at Chipotle. Since they can no longer visit in person, Eli now has video visits with Anna. During a couple of their visits, Eli has had Chipotle delivered to Anna’s foster home so that they can have dinner visits together like they did prior to the pandemic.
Barbara Fribush has been the CASA for 18-year-old Melissa* for the past 7 years. Barbara and Melissa have built a strong relationship over the years, and Barbara has seen Melissa through a lot of exceedingly difficult times in her life. Melissa, most recently, was diagnosed with a medical condition and spent several months in the hospital. Due to Covid-19, Melissa was not able to have any in-person visits while she was hospitalized, even on her birthday. Barbara worked together with Melissa’s social worker and hospital staff to ensure that Melissa was able to celebrate her birthday with cards, presents, and cake! 
*Names changed
JOIN US FOR JULY'S BOOK CLUB


BOOK: White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin Diangelo

DATE: Thursday, July 16, 2020

TIME: 6:30pm to 7:30PM

WHERE: Online Via Zoom


Participants will receive one hour of in-service credit for attending plus 30 additional minutes for every 100 pages read.


Next Pre-Service Training Session for Prospective Volunteer
Spring 2020
Saturday
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Monday
Wednesday
Monday

6/20/2020
6/22/2020
6/24/2020
6/26/2020
6/29/2020
7/01/2020
7/06/2020

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
6:00 PM to 9:30 PM

 
Summer Volunteer Anniversaries
12 Years
Sheila Berman

10 Years
Michele Hamilton

9 Years
Sandra-Lynn Berson

8 Years
Collette Carmen

7 Years
Laura Brown
Hilary Robbins

6 Years
Jewel Butler
Jenny Hodge-Pavel
Carrie Sypes

5 Years
Allison Cox
Jamila Gladney
Jack Krakower
Celia Peacock
John Pettibone
Kimberly Rue
4 Years
John Belliveau
Jeannie Bulbulia
Madison Ellis
Lori Feitel

3 Years
Robin Delaloye
Katherine Freeman
Karen Hall
Ebonee Hawkins
Jeanne Touzeau
Leslie Wiercinski

2 Years
Jane Batwinis
Rosemary DiGioia
Mike Mayhugh
Russell Munk
Matthew Nichols

 1 Year
Elisa Gladstone
Barbara Hanlen
Taylor Rose
Elli Stephanede
Kristen Wendel
Donors Making A Difference

Josh Adrian
Jane Batwinis
Marlene Beckman
Margaret & Michael Erickson
Barbara & Gary Faigen
Thelma Harris
Lucy Hurley
Manju Kaku
Agnes Leshner
Janice Lower
Emily Manasse
John Marshall
Jeannette O'Connor
Karen Raskin
Alice Robinson
Tara Ryan
Kenneth Speckler
Travis Stalcup
Danielle Verbiest
Sara Watson
Pamela Yerg
Amy Young

"Thank you" to all who support our children!









Special Thanks!


National Council of Jewish Women, Montgomery County


Be the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer that every child in Montgomery County, Maryland’s foster care system needs.
CASA depends upon donations from people like you to continue its work. Make a donation today to help us reach out goal of serving ALL the children in foster care in Montgomery County by 2026.