Dasha Dent Serves on Richmond CASA Team
Dasha Dent joined SCAN as a Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Case Manager in 2021. Her commitment, energy and sense of caring have been an incredible asset to the SCAN team!

How did you first get involved with SCAN?
In the spring of 2019, I was enrolled in a Field Observation Human Service Class at Old Dominion University. My professor at the time instructed us to research places that we could reach out to and ask them questions about the work they did. I reached out to SCAN and I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Mersereau. This gave me an opportunity to learn more about the incredible work that SCAN does and how much of an impact SCAN has on the community. 
 
What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role?
I’ve worked with children since I was 16 years old by being a Sunday school teacher, a camp counselor and volunteering at my local elementary school. Receiving my Bachelors of Science degree with a major in Human Services and a minor in children’s rights, helped ignite the desire within me to advocate for children. One class taught me about ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and little did I know that this knowledge would help me in the job I have today. Being a case manager with CASA has given me the opportunity to continue to advocate for children and to learn the importance of having a trauma informed lens in order to provide children and families the assistance they need. 

What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN?
Every day when I come to work, I know that the work that we do for SCAN helps to make a difference in children’s lives. This is not only humbling, but it continues to remind me every day of the reason why I love the work that I do. 

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?
I hope that people see the incredible work that SCAN does and how much the staff and our volunteers care for children.  
 
What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?
One of the best experiences with SCAN so far is when I attended a SCAN staff meeting at the YWCA and all the staff members from the various programs were able to get together for the first time since the pandemic. I was able to hear everyone’s experiences at SCAN and the recent impacts their program had within the community. I loved hearing the stories that everyone shared and meeting the other staff members!
 
What are any challenges you have faced in your work with SCAN?
Transitioning from being in college and working was an adjustment. There were some learning curves that I needed to work through to help me become the case manager that I am today. What helped me was having a team of people who supported me through the learning curve and referring to the things I learned from my classes. 
 
Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN?
I hope to see more children come off the waiting list and getting assigned to a volunteer. We have so many amazing volunteer opportunities and the work that we do collectively makes a difference!
 
Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?
I love to dance and rock climb! Anything to do with thrill seeking sign me up!
 
What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
That I am a children’s book author. I love that books have the power to take you on an adventure and has the power to send a message of positivity to a child. This brings me joy when I am able to bring an idea to life in a form of a book and bring an impactful message into a child’s life!


Learn More about Richmond CASA
Learn more about what is involved in becoming a Richmond CASA Volunteer!

Richmond CASA Information Session
Thursday, August 18
6pm - 7pm
Henrico Child Advocacy Center

Reach out to Sarah-Keel Crews for any questions.

Thank you Protector's Circle Members!

The Protector’s Circle of Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) is a select group of individuals who support SCAN by making an annual gift of $1,000 or more to our child abuse prevention and treatment services.

We are very grateful to the members of our Protector’s Circle for helping us keep children safe.
SCAN's Protector's Circle was able to gather in June for our PC luncheon. Child Advocacy Center Trauma Focused Treatment Therapist, Lorena Brennan Castro, joined to share more about her work. Her addition to the CAC team has helped increase access to trauma focused treatment services for Spanish speaking families.

Support SCAN Endowment with the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers vs Union Omaha
Gates Open at 5:00pm | Kick-off at 6:30pm

$5 of every ticket sold through this link goes directly to support the Joan O'Donnell Endowment in support of SCAN Richmond

We invite you to watch the Richmond Kickers take on Union Omaha, celebrate Joan’s life, and raise money for the Joan O’Donnell Endowment in support of Greater Richmond SCAN's mission is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect throughout Greater Richmond. 

Joan worked for over 30 years as a child welfare lawyer, fighting on behalf of vulnerable children in the community. She was also a passionate soccer fan and soccer mom. She founded and coached the Prince George Cyclones travel team, producing four college soccer players. As her kids got older she transitioned to soccer mom, spending weekends driving to soccer games throughout Virginia and beyond and supporting her children’s love for the game. We look forward to capturing her love for soccer and her passion for child welfare while cheering on the longest running professional soccer team in America. #uptheroos


Welcome New SCAN Board of Directors and BYP Members

SCAN Board of Directors:
Dave Michelow

SCAN Board of Young Professionals:
Victoria Blair
Michael Hippchen
Taylor Irvin
Joshua Lockhart
Carrie Loudy
Danielle Sheridan
Save The Date
For The Love of Tennis Tournament
Supporting Greater Richmond SCAN 
Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
Location: Salisbury Country Club, Richmond, Virginia
 
Approximately 75 female tennis players will gather for a morning of drills and instruction conducted by 12 local tennis professionals, followed by a seated luncheon, speaker, and carefully curated silent auction.
All funds raised will benefit SCAN.

More details to come!
Thank you to the staff at Agili for creating sensory kits for children at SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers!
Give a Gift Through United Way
When you join a United Way campaign, you have the opportunity to choose how your contribution is spent. You can have your gift distributed for you or you can give your gift to a specific organization.  

SCAN is eligible to receive donor designations through the United Way campaigns.  
 
Our campaign codes are as follows:
United Way Campaign: #3343 (please also list SCAN)
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): #82607
Local Government & Schools (LGS): #166
Upcoming Trainings
SCAN works to ensure that barriers do not get in the way of families receiving services. We are increasingly providing transportation through gas cards for children and their caregivers to get to our Circle Preschool Program and Child Advocacy Center and we need YOUR help!

Donate to our gas card fund at https://grscan.com/.

Click the "Donate Now" button in the upper right corner of our site and select "I'd like my donation to support Client Gas Cards" under the additional information portion of the donation form.

Thank you for ensuring all children have access to the support, treatment, advocacy, and education they deserve!

Protect a Child today with a gift to SCAN's Annual Fund.
Greater Richmond SCAN | 804-257-7226 | www.grscan.com