CASA OF LOWNDES AND ECHOLS COUNTIES OPENS AS 45TH CASA AFFILIATE PROGRAM IN STATE |
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CASA of Lowndes and Echols Counties, Inc., headquartered in Valdosta, is the newest CASA affiliate program in Georgia, bringing CASA services to 158 of Georgia's 159 counties. The CASA affiliate is backed by strong community support and led by Executive Director Beverley Richardson-Blake, whose goal is to "work daily to make a difference in just one person’s life. I am passionate about my work with children and believe in giving any job I undertake 110% to make it successful. I am a 'forward-thinker' with vision and a positive thinker. I am excited about the opportunity I have been given to 'nurture and grow' CASA of Lowndes and Echols Counties."
We are excited about the impact of these connections for children, families and volunteers in the greater Valdosta area!
Next up later this year will be the opening of CASA of Henry County to serve the 159th and final county in the state.
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EVENT WRAP-UP: CASA DAY AT THE CAPITOL |
Our annual CASA Day at the Capitol event took place on February 2 at the State Capitol in Atlanta. Over 200 CASA staff, board members, volunteers, and collaborative partners from across the state gathered to meet with their legislators to thank them, seek support for critical issues impacting the child welfare system, and to share about CASA advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are now in foster care.
Georgia CASA’s Advocacy Director, Angela Tyner, stated that “we are grateful to our leaders who continue to support the child welfare system.” This year, Georgia CASA is requesting support for a $2,750,000 investment to add staff in critical high-need areas and expand network growth and sustained service across the state.
Photo highlights from the day can be viewed in the Facebook page album. You can also watch video remarks from both Governor Kemp and former Representative Terry England about the day as well as enjoy and share on social media our first-ever reel of the day.
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TRIBUTE TO FORMER GEORGIA HOUSE SPEAKER
THE LATE DAVID RALSTON
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We continue to mourn the loss of a great Georgian. Former Speaker David Ralston was a trusted advisor to Georgia CASA and a cherished friend to CASA of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. His grace, spirit, and leadership will always hold a special place in ours.
The longest-serving active Speaker in the country, Speaker Ralston was known for being a steady, reasoned force in government, working across the aisle to protect the interests of all Georgians. His CASA support began when as a member of the Georgia General Assembly – then Senator - he was introduced by his constituents who brought CASA to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit in Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens counties. This significant relationship persisted and was evident through his guidance and support surrounding CASA’s codification in state law, statewide expansion, state funding, and recognition over the past three decades.
Speaker Ralston's legacy will live on in our support for children and families and the lives of so many Georgians.
Pictured below: (l) Dianne Scoggins, former CASA of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit Executive Director & current Georgia CASA board member, with Speaker Ralston; (r) Georgia CASA group with Speaker Ralston as part of Georgia CASA's 25th Anniversary celebration
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CHECK OUT THIS NEW VIDEO ABOUT THE ROLE OF
A CASA VOLUNTEER
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This 3+ minute animated video illustrates the role of CASA volunteers (also known as GAL volunteers in some parts of the country). Viewers can learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer in their community and join a nationwide network of nearly 100,000 CASA/GAL volunteers standing up for the rights of children who have been abused or neglected.
Video produced by CASA of Travis County - Austin, TX
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WELCOME TO OUR TWO NEW GEORGIA CASA
TEAM MEMBERS
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Welcome to new team member Rachelle Wilson Mosely! She is our new Marketing Director and is responsible for amplifying the CASA mission through the development and execution of our overall marketing and brand strategy, including statewide CASA awareness and volunteer recruitment.
Rachelle is an organizational advocate with a ten-year history of sharing stories of impact. Most recently serving as the Vice President of Mission Advancement & Chief Development Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia, she joined Georgia CASA in late October.
Receiving a master’s degree through an academic partnership between the United States Peace Corps and Illinois State University, she earned her degree while simultaneously serving in the Kingdom of Morocco, where she specialized in youth and community development. Rachelle’s professional experience has centered in Macon, the town she calls home. Grateful to broaden her work to encompass the entire state, Rachelle is excited to lift up the great CASA work being done statewide. She is a passionate storyteller committed to sharing the experiences of those who are historically marginalized and overlooked.
We are excited to have Rachelle join our team!
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Welcome to new team member Heidi Grimmett as Advocacy Specialist! She will work closely with our network of CASA affiliates in the state, including in the areas of CASA supervisory staff readiness and coaching as well as strategies around complex child advocacy issues, all while promoting the principles of CASA advocacy.
Heidi has a bachelor's degree in Human Services from Purdue University with a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Heidi has over ten years of experience with the CASA network in various positions including intern, Intake Case Coordinator, Advocacy Case Manager, Advocacy and Training Specialist, and most recently Advocacy Director for a local CASA affiliate. Joining Georgia CASA in late October, Heidi has a passion for recognizing and focusing on strengths in families and building relationships amongst organizations in order to best serve children and families.
Heidi lives in North Georgia with her husband and their two young children. They will be welcoming their third child in the spring. In her free time, you can find her cuddled up with her Kindle and a cozy blanket.
We are excited to have Heidi join our team!
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Thank you to our donors who supported the work of Georgia CASA for Fall 2022. 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!
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. You can make a difference with a gift of any amount - and a recurring gift is an easy and convenient way to give! Your support is greatly appreciated!
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HYUNDAI CAPITAL AMERICA GIVES BACK TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE |
When a child experiences foster care, many needs (seen and unseen) may require an extra helping hand. In early December, through partnering with Georgia CASA and Juvenile Court of Cobb County/CASA, the team at Hyundai Capital in Atlanta stepped in to provide hygiene kits to teenagers experiencing foster care in Cobb County. From race-specific hair care products to socks, these kits, though simple, will have an enormous impact for those that have been marginalized.
We are thankful for Hyundai Capital and many other corporations and organizations throughout Georgia that team up with CASA affiliates during the holiday season to support those who need us most!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA'S VOLUNTEER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ON 30 YEARS OF SERVICE |
We wish a happy 30th anniversary to United Way’s Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP)! VIP has trained and connected board members with many of Greater Atlanta’s nonprofit organizations, including Georgia CASA and several CASA affiliates, as the premiere board training program in Atlanta. Georgia CASA joins in the recognition of VIP’s far-reaching impact and thanks all of our VIP board members who have and continue to contribute through their board service.
Pictured: Janice Robinson, United Way VIP, with Jennifer King, Georgia CASA Executive Director, at 30th anniversary celebration in Fall 2022
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March 9 - 10: All-Volunteer Supervisor Meeting w/Recruiters’ Affinity Group (Athens)
May 2 - 4: Council of Programs (St. Simons)
June 10 - 13: Save the Date: National CASA/GAL Association for Children Conference - hybrid format (St. Louis, MO)
August 12: Save the Date: Georgia CASA Conference
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Video About Becoming a CASA Volunteer in Georgia
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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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