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Williamsburg, VA 23185
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The Voice |
Colonial CASA's E-Newsletter
Volume II, Issue 16
April, 2007 |
In This Issue... |
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Pencil It In... |
- April 19: Child Abuse Prevention Candlelight Vigil, 7pm in Newtown
- April 19*: Effective Communication Skills and Motivational Strategies, 8:30am-4pm
- April 25*: Managing Challenging Behaviors , 1pm-4pm
- April 26*: Workshop for Foster Parents and Professionals, 1pm-5pm
- May 4: Volunteer Recognition, 6pm-8pm
- June 2: CASA Paddle
- June 9 - June 12: NCASA Conference
To Access Colonial CASA's Calendar, Click Here.
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From Rebecca's Desk |
Greetings from upstairs! I have just returned from a week vacationing with my family and though it was lovely - sun-filled and lazy - my relaxation was pierced nearly every day with ideas and thoughts of CASA! It seems you can take the Director out of the office, but . . . . I was actually eager to get back to work - so many new and exciting things are happening!
As you know, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and Volunteer Recognition Month. Colonial CASA has lots going on in the next few weeks. A long awaited and much discussed joint effort finally came to pass on the morning of April 5th. Colonial CASA and Newport News CASA held a fantastic training on the culture of poverty, led by our own Mary Anne Lee and Jessica Vermont. It was VERY well done and there continue to be many compliments on the quality of their presentation. I know those of you that were there found the morning to be worthwhile. Please take a minute to look at the events listed aboce to take a look at other opportunities and events scheduled for our volunteers.
The spring is also an exciting time in the life of an Executive Director because we look forward to next year - both in terms of funding and program. Colonial CASA is fortunate to have received a grant from the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation for the upcoming year to address both of these areas! Please read on, my article, Capacity Building: Colonial CASA and WCHF, gives an update on this exciting growth opportunity.
I hope to see you all in the very near future - don't miss our fun upcoming events!
Rebecca
To Learn More about Rebecca Bresee, Executive Director, Click Here.
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From the Board Room |
 The Colonial CASA Board of Directors has elected a new slate of officers. We are pleased to announce and welcome the leadership of TJ Cardwell, President; Roy Massengill, Vice- President; Janet Estes, Secretary; and Bob Smith, Treasurer. Many thanks go to past officers Dick Estes and Sallie Melvin for their extended terms of service as officers and strong leadership during a bold period of agency growth! Colonial CASA is fortunate that they, along with Carlton Stockton and Chris Swynford, remain on the Board of Directors and continue to represent CASA and further its mission.
Stay tuned for more Board news in future issues!
To Learn More about Colonial CASA's Board of Directors, Click Here.
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Say NO to Burnout! |
Snow on Easter weekend! Hopefully, the cold weather has run its course and we will be moving into the lovely temperatures of the spring. Spring and summer tend to bring a new level of activity into our lives. It is important for us to try to find a balance so that we do not become overloaded or burdened.
As I am frantically tying up loose ends so that I can take a little vacation, I want to extend my thanks to Shelley Spacek, our intern from Marshall Wythe School of Law. Shelley graciously compiled this information for the newsletter so that I could get all my ducks in a row.
Six Ways to Maintain Balance
1. Establish Boundaries
Volunteering is very noble, but saving time for us and our loved ones is crucial. It does not help the child - or us - to attempt to fill roles beyond the scope of advocacy.
2. Encourage Collaboration and Conflict Resolution
Focus on the ultimate goal in each case: the safety and health of the child. Objectively view all parties for what they can contribute to this goal and encourage them to do so. This includes deferring our personal sentiments to what is best for the child.
3. Effectively Organize and Prioritize
How we organize our day is up to us. It is important to establish priorities and not feel guilty because we are unable to do everything. Good organization helps us control how we use our time to align with our priorities when managing our case load and our lives.
4. Engage and Utilize Resources
We cannot know everything and be everything to everybody. There are many resources to benefit our mind, body, and spirit. Utilize them. This helps us not only better ourselves, but the lives of the children we serve as well.
5. Embrace and Appreciate All Successes
Take time to "see" successes no matter how big or small. This will give us encouragement and a positive perspective when facing challenges and negative situations.
6. Energize the Mind - Enjoy Yourself
Doing what we want to do is important, even if it is something as simple as watching the grass grow. We need to take time for ourselves to help avoid burnout!!!
Sarah
To Learn More About Sarah Serra, Program Director, Click Here.
To Read the Full Article in The Connection, NCASA's Magazine, Click Here.
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The Culture of Poverty and Focusing and Motivating Kids |
The regional Conference held in Newport News April 5th was a great success. The speakers for the first session, Mary Ann Lee and Jessica Vermont, of James City County Social Services and Foster Care, were phenomenal as they focused on explaining the culture of poverty. They allowed the audience (CASA volunteers) to enter into the thoughts of a parent. Through role play, they were able to adequately demonstrate that what volunteers perceive as they visit parents is not always consistent with what the parent thinks. Sometimes volunteers do not see the fear and frustration that parents have within themselves, or the parent's desire for help. Volunteers usually see anger and resentment from parents struggling to hold on to a relationship with their child.
Utilizing exerts from Ruby Bridges' book, The Culture of Poverty, they spoke about the values of different socio-economic levels. According to Mrs. Bridges, people in poverty value relationship and immediate relief, the middle class value material possessions and education, and the wealthy value politics, position, and legacy.
Additionally, the speakers gave statistics regarding the poverty level and showed how the government's poverty level is substantially understated. Indicating that there was at least a $2,000.00 deficit between the poverty level and having basic needs met.
Carlton Ashby, the second speaker, is an elementary school teacher who received his Masters Degree in Elementary Guidance and Counseling from The College of William & Mary. His focus was on motivating children. He began his session with two beautiful youths reciting inspiring poetry which states that "the power to succeed is within."
He spoke of the importance of having positive attitudes and getting rid of dream busters. These dream busters can be self, or others. Mr. Ashby added that individual's attitudes reflect their actions and their actions reflect results.
Lastly, Mr. Ashby spoke about accountability. "There is no need to play the blame game, each individual must look at what he can change and control and focus his attentions there". As long as people look to blame others, they will not change anything, because they are giving away their power.
Victoria
To Learn More About Victoria Canady, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Click Here.
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Capacity Building: Colonial CASA and WCHF |
 Capacity Building. It is a term used by administrators, boards, and funders to cover a wide variety of growth-oriented tasks and sequences necessary in an agency (or any business) as it seeks to fulfill its mission and realize its full potential. Basically it boils down to this: How do we, Colonial CASA, build our capacity to serve our current and future client population, fulfilling our mission of child advocacy and safety, while utilizing our assets strategically and economically?
Is that too much "director-speak"? There is a plan in place! Last fall, Colonial CASA submitted a proposal to the Williamsburg Community Health Foundation, outlining a new volunteer program - the Associates Program - designed to increase our efficiency and capacity to serve, as well as our ability to focus on agency growth and community collaboration. In essence, the Associates Program (as opposed to our Advocates Program) will activate a new sector of community volunteers for CASA, providing valuable support services including administrative assistance (data entry, case prep, training prep, secretarial tasks, etc.) event planning, communications (web-site maintenance, newsletters, mailings, etc.), fundraising, and community awareness. Colonial CASA will hire a part-time coordinator to facilitate this program and provide additional office support. The Associates Program is designed to relieve case management staff of many of the daily tasks that, while necessary for overall agency operations and survival, divert focus from client advocacy, case supervision, and Advocate support.
The WCHF has funded our request! Colonial CASA just received $30,000 to initiate the Associates Program during the upcoming year. Because of their support, we will be able to devote more hours to both our mission of child safety and the business of agency operation, all the while maintaining a streamlined staff structure and budget. Excitement, Anticipation, Gratitude... all accurate expressions of our thoughts at this time! We welcome all inquiries and interest in this new development here at Colonial CASA. Spread the word! There's more to come! We're hard at work, as always, for our kids, our volunteers, and our community - the Associates Program is simply another way to serve them all.
Rebecca
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James City County's Own Mary Ann Lee Is Recognized |
 The Commonwealth recognizes April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, but for many, protecting children is their mission year round. One case in point is James City County social worker Mary Ann Lee who implemented an award-winning day care program for children in harm's way.
The Governor's Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect Awards recognize Virginians who have exhibited a strong commitment to advocacy, protection, prevention, treatment and assistance.
"It is an honor and a privilege to recognize the men and women who champion the safety and security of our children," said Governor Timothy Kaine. "Their focus on prevention is especially critical." Awards were presented at this year's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Conference in Richmond on April 2.
The Dr. Anthony Shaw Award for Exceptional Child Protective Services is the highest award in the Commonwealth. It was established in 1992 and recognizes distinguished child protective services professionals for outstanding contributions to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. This year's recipient is Mary Ann Lee. Since 1982, Lee has improved the lives of children and families through her work with the James City County Department of Social Services. Lee was instrumental in implementing an award-winning respite day care program for children whose family situations put them at risk for abuse and/or neglect.
This Article Is a Summary of the Full Press Release -- To View It, Click Here.
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The Spirit of Giving Is Alive at Colonial CASA! |
The Spirit of Giving, a Colonial CASA auxiliary, prepared 71 Easter Baskets - one for each child Colonial CASA is currently serving - for distribution to CASA kids this week. CASA volunteers delivered the Easter Baskets to these littlest and most helpless victims.
Advocates and families are both greatly appreciative of the Spirit of Giving and work that it does. One volunteer recanted the story of delivering the basket, "He had a big smile on his face as he carried the basket, by himself, into the house - of course, it was almost as big as he was! He then proceeded to open it right away. There is no question that it was the highlight for the day. His grandparents were also greatly appreciative...The Spirit of Giving did a great job!"
Pictured here are Spirit of Giving organizers and volunteers: Carol Dobosy, Molly Dry, Emily Dry, Gracie Dry, and Pete Cruikshank. Not pictured are Linda Cunneen, Maureen Jacobs, and a host of "kid" workers responsible for this extraordinary service.
To Visit the Spirit of Giving's Website, Click Here.
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Celebrating Birthdays and CASA Anniversaries |
 Colonial CASA would like to wish the following Advocates a Happy Birthday:
- Victoria Canady
- Bill Hunnell
- Leslie Little
Colonial CASA would like to recognize and thank the following Advocates for their commitment and selfless dedication to the abused and neglected children of Williamsburg/James City County. It was during the month of April that they were first inducted as CASAs.
| · Bob Blake |
· Barry Brune |
| · Bob Fryer |
· Angela Hatfield |
| · Bill Hunnell |
· Felecia Manley |
| · John Munger |
· Celia Nester |
| · Linda Pitman |
· Paul Schecter |
| · Allan Sharrett |
· Ron Shirley |
| · Bo Wingate |
· John Zivica |
To Learn More About CASA Volunteers, Click Here.
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Quick Links |
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National CASA
CASA Net
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Sincerely,
The Colonial CASA Staff |
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