The Voice

Colonial CASA's E-Newsletter

Volume II, Issue 15

March, 2007

In This Issue...

Pencil It In...
From Rebecca's Desk
Greetings From Victoria
April - A Month of Awareness
The Spirit of Giving Gears Up For Spring
The Rotary Club of JCC Presents Its 8th Annual Charity Auction Benefiting Colonial CASA
Celebrating CASA Birthdays
Program Policy Update: Training Opportunities
Quick Links

Pencil It In...

March 24: JCC Rotary Auction, 6:30pm at the Historic Triangle Building
March 28: DSS Day, 1pm - 3pm
April 5: Regional Training, 9:30am - Noon
April 17: Monthly Meeting Breakfast, 9am - 11:30 am
April 19: Child Abuse Prevention Candlelight Vigil, 7pm at the Rec Center
May 4: Volunteer Recognition, 6pm - 8pm
June 2: CASA Paddle
June 9 - 12: NCASA Conference

To Access Colonial CASA's Calendar, Click Here.

From Rebecca's Desk

Greetings from upstairs! What an exciting month March is turning out to be...First off - Virginia's General Assembly has concluded its session and (drum roll please...) has allocated an additional $540,000 to CASA programs statewide! This is a much needed 50% increase in state funding that will funnel down to the 27 CASA programs in the state, providing a real impact on program sustainability. This funding will increase every program's "hard" money base, alleviating some of the inherent financial strain (and no doubt the insomnia of many an Executive Director). Please take a minute if you can to let both Governor Kaine, and our Delegates & Senators know what this means to our CASA program and how thankful we are.

I am also extremely pleased with the way things are shaping up for both this time of staff transition and for the future of our program here at Colonial CASA. Many of you may already know that I have hired Victoria Canady to serve as Colonial CASA's new Volunteer Services Coordinator. The staff and Board are all very excited to have her on board, as she brings a wealth of experience to our program. A trained CASA, a former foster parent, and a student receiving her MA in Counseling, she will undoubtedly jump right into our midst with enthusiasm.

Stay tuned...I'll have even more great news very soon.

Rebecca

To Learn More About Rebecca Bresee, Executive Director, Click Here.

Greetings From Victoria

Victoria Canady, Volunteer Services Coordinator

Greetings from the newest Colonial CASA staff member,

My name is Victoria Canady and I am delighted to be apart of this wonderful team. Although I am a little overwhelmed at the moment with so much to learn and becoming acclimated, I look forward to meeting each of the volunteers and doing all that I can to assist you as advocates. I too am sorry to see Barbara leave, but I wish her well in her new beginnings. As I step into my new beginnings, I will do my best to fill her position, knowing I cannot fill her shoes.

Victoria

To Learn More About Victoria Canady, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Click Here.

April - A Month of Awareness

Well, it looks like we have made it through the worst that winter has to offer and are looking forward to the beauty of spring. As spring begins to unfold, our senses are heightened and we become aware of the wonders of nature and all of its nuances.

The month of April also brings awareness to child abuse and neglect as it is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Throughout the month of April, there will be activities and campaigns that focus on ways in which citizens can become involved in the fight to prevent child abuse and neglect.

You may also notice folks wearing blue ribbons throughout the month. The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in the spring of 1989, when Bonnie Finney of Norfolk was motivated to take a stand against child abuse after experiencing the tragic death of her grandson. She tied a symbolic blue ribbon to her van to alert her community to her commitment to involve everyone in the fight to stop child abuse. Bonnie chose blue to signify the color of bruises. The death of her grandson provided her with the strength to encourage others to help in this fight. The spirit of her blue ribbon grew into a statewide, and then national, effort to join forces in this tragic battle.

In our community, a Candlelight Ceremony is held every year during the month of April to promote healthy families, awareness in our community in regard to child abuse and neglect, and to engage our community in the fight to prevent harm to our children. Strengthen families, valuing children, and prevention are the themes of the evening. This year the Candlelight Ceremony will be held on April 19th @ 7:00 p.m. at Legacy Hall in New Town. As a member of the planning committee, I invite you to attend this ceremony and to encourage others to join in this most important fight to protect our most precious gift...our children.

Sarah

To Learn More About Sarah Serra, Volunteer Coordinator, Click Here.

The Spirit of Giving Gears Up For Spring

As many of you know, the Spirit of Giving is Colonial CASA's auxiliary organization. Committed to spreading "the spirit of giving to the children of CASA to bring them a sense of hope, health and well-being, as members of the community from members of the community. The Spirit of Giving is a volunteer auxiliary in partnership with Colonial CASA."

Each spring, the Spirit offers nondenominational Easter baskets to each child being served by a CASA volunteer. And, each fall, they offer backpacks filled with school supplies to various CASA children -- the Spirit of Giving's volunteers and supporters are truly making a difference in the lives of CASA children.

Yet, the greatest surprise is in the difference their generosity makes in the lives of CASA staff and Advocates. Each year, the CASAs look forward to delivering the Easter baskets to the children they have been appointed to serve and this year is no exception. Currently, the Spirit of Giving is assembling over 60 Easter baskets to distribute to Colonial CASA this Easter season!

To Visit the Spirit of Giving's Website, Click Here.

The Rotary Club of JCC Presents Its 8th Annual Charity Auction Benefiting Colonial CASA

On March 24th, beginning at 6:30 pm, the Historic Triangle Community Services Center will be transformed with live entertainment, live and silent auctions, hors d'oeuvres and libations - all to benefit the Colonial CASA program and the Rotary Scholarship program. Pre-Registration tickets are available at the CCASA office. Bring a friend, bid on an item (or two), and enjoy the evening - while supporting your favorite cause!

To Visit the JCC Rotary Website, Click Here.

To See the Brochure, Click Here.

Celebrating CASA Birthdays

Colonial CASA would like to wish the following CASAs a Happy Birthday:

Mary Donlan
John Munger
Allan Sharrett

Program Policy Update: Training Opportunities

You spoke and we heard! In the next several weeks, Colonial CASA, in partnership with JCCDSS and Newport News CASA, will host two training events not to be missed.

March 28 - DSS Day: From 1 to 3, at the DSS Building on Olde Towne Road, CPS Supervisor, Mary Ann Lee, and Foster Care Supervisor, Romona Vasser, will be presenting an overview of the DSS "system" - timelines, policies, procedures, etc. This is an excellent opportunity to hear straight from them the ins and outs of working with case workers and kids in our mutual quest for safety and permanence. Ask questions!

April 5 - Regional Training with Newport News CASA: The Culture of Poverty. In beautiful City Center, Newport News, from 9:30 to 12:30, we will explore the issues and implications of poverty on lifestyle, culture and the family unit. We will be challenged to break through preconceptions to the real issues of safety, and end with an inspirational look at kids rising above.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! Please take a look at the calendar provided to see other training opportunities and let us know what you are doing to better educate yourself for our cause!