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CASA receives the 2016 National
CASA Association Inclusion Award!
Over the past year, we have taken strides to implement
an important new
diversity and inclusion initiative by founding CASA for Children's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. The purpose of the DEI Committee is to ensure culturally competent advocacy on behalf of all children, especially children of color in our local community. Because of these efforts, we received
the 2016 National CASA Association Inclusion Award! This award honors the accomplishments of a program that has been enriched through its inclusive practices and initiatives. The award recognizes excellence in promoting the values of diversity and inclusiveness among volunteers, board members,
an
staff. We could not be more honored to receive this recognition!
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CASA's Executive Director, Betsy Stark Miller, and CASA Supervisor Scott Lee, traveled to the 2016 National CASA/GAL Conference in Washington, D.C. to accept the 2016 National CASA Association Inclusion Award
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Join us for CASA's 3rd Annual Columbia County Benefit Breakfast
Help us expand and improve CASA's work in Columbia County! Please join us for the 3rd Annual Columbia County Benefit Breakfast on June 21st from 7:30 - 8:30am at Meriwether Place in St. Helens (1070 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens, OR 97051). The breakfast is free and open to all. All proceeds raised at the event will support CASA's work in Columbia County.
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CASA's 25th Annual CASA Auction: It’s a Jungle Out There for Kids was a success!
Our 25th Annual CASA Auction: It’s a Jungle Out There for Kids raised more than $769,000 in support of CASA’s mission! This is CASA’s highest grossing auction, and our largest single source of fundraising revenue in support of CASA’s mission. The audience was comprised of over 500 guests, including: leaders from Portland’s corporate and philanthropic communities, CASA volunteers, CASA’s Board of Directors, and CASA’s Ambassador Board. The honorary guests were the Olsen family who shared their story of adopting three biological sisters and the critical role the girls’ CASA, Jennifer Herbst, played in making the adoption possible. Thank you to everyone who supported the evening, our work would not be possible without you!
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We are proud to announce that Jay Kapp, a Portland bicyclist, is biking 3,300 miles from PDX to NYC this summer in support of CASA for Children! 100% of the proceeds donated to Jay’s journey will be given directly to CASA. Please help Jay reach his goal of $1.000! His journey will begin on June 7th, and is projected to return to Portland on July 31st. Check out our Facebook page to view weekly updates of Jay's journey.
To visit Jay’s blog as he treks across the country on two wheels,
click here
.
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"Know that on those particularly tough days, when the wind, rain, fatigue or even just monotony are starting to drag me down, your donation will help me carry on." - Jay Kapp
Click here to support The Biking Jay and CASA When making your donation, please be sure to donate in honor of The Biking Jay, so that Jay will know to thank you personally.
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Kuddos for CASAs
Kuddos are small shout outs from CASA Supervisors to highlight the extraordinary work of their CASA volunteers. Thank you to all CASAs for your dedication and hard work!
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"To CASA Charlie Braymen, for your relentless pursuit of visitation between the siblings on your case, despite very challenging interpersonal dynamics, as well as for going above and beyond the call of duty in arranging for your CASA child to meet with Sen. Gelser about her experiences in a Give Us This Day foster home."
-CASA Supervisor Stephen McCrea
"Five years of unstopability and advocacy goes to CASA
Margot Quinn
! Through the years and through the heartache, we have overcome! Cannot believe both your youth will be aging successfully out of the system. Thanks to you, they have found a forever friend and comrade."
-CASA Supervisor Jeni Bennett
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"A special congratulations to
CASA Sandra Morris
. After almost two years, her case closed with a wonderful outcome that reflected a special approach to the case much valued by parties to this case. Sandra looked beyond the expected "Return to Parent" plan to instead would with the father and the guardians to create a permanency option that worked best for the child. Now she has all that love her in her life. At the final hearing, Sandra's efforts were commended by the judge, DHS, and the attorneys. Thank you Sandra!"
- CASA Supervisor, Deborah Sakamoto
"
T
o
CASA
Barbara Kveton, for stepping up to address the challenges of a sudden reappearance of the father into a case that was already settled, and managing the less than exceptional casework attending that change."
-CASA Supervisor Stephen McCrea
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"To CASA
Kerstin Maroney
, for jumping in with both feet and wrestling the Portland Public School District into submission in short order, and for bringing up a touchy financial issue that has been ignored for years."
-CASA Supervisor Stephen McCrea
"Way to close
CASA
Shannon Montgomery and
CASA
Kerstin Anderson! Graduated together and successfully closed together. Fighting the good fight, each of their CASA kids are now placed with family in a loving, thriving, stable Guardianship. Can't wait to see what each of you do with your second cases! I tip my hat to you. "
-CASA Supervisor Jeni Bennett
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"CASAs Adam and Sarah Taft serve a case with 6 children in separate foster homes. The case is extremely legally contentious and complex. This dynamic duo gone above and beyond the call of duty for these children. As an example, they applied for a grant for some of the older children to attend a science camp and they have built extraordinary trust with the kids and exposed them to new opportunities. Recently the Citizen Review Board wrote to me to thank the CASAs for their participation in a hearing which made a huge impact in helping them to see the full picture of the case and make findings that would help the children. The judge has also lauded and quoted the CASA reports in his findings. They have stood firm in a case where the children's needs have not always been heard due to the contentious nature of case and dealt with it using diplomacy and being conscientious." -CASA Supervisor Georgia McGinnis Roberts
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In Rememberance of Beverly Rimbach Corbett
(1931 - 2016)
We are
gravely saddened
that Beverly Corbett, a dedicated supporter of CASA , passed on May 19th
, 2016. Beverly founded the Voices for Children Annual Auction, which has transformed into CASA’s highest grossing fundraiser in support of CASA’s mission. As fundraising arm of CASA, Voices for Children was composed of 10 Portland women who donated countless hours to pulling off this inaugural auction. From the décor to the centerpieces, every component of the event was hand-made and infused with care. Beverly was involved with CASA for 25 years until her health declined. Her astounding dedication to CASA was admirable, and we will miss her deeply. Per her family’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider
donating to CASA in Beverly's honor.
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Beverly at CASA's 1st Annual Auction in 1992
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Thank you to our CASA Volunteers
National Volunteer Appreciation week was in April, but we appreciate our CASAs every day! Thank you to our current and former volunteers for investing in our communities by touching the lives of vulnerable kids in a meaningful and lasting way.
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." - Dr. Seuss
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Congrats to our most recent Graduating Class!
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Arleen Barnett
Linda Brown
Kelly Carlson
Tony Carlson
Shelley Edling
Kim Ell
Don Friedman
Amy Gard
Anastasia Juergens
Mitzy King
Brenda Kneifel
Donna Kollmann
Melissa Morrow
Clare Rathbone
Steve Riedlinger
Kelli Shuster
Steven Solomon
Kathy Whitney
Leslie Yeargers
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Welcome, new CASA Board Members!
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Kevin Modica
Kevin Modica, Assistant Chief of the Portland Police, has joined the Board of Directors of CASA for Children. He has been with the bureau for 29 years and has contributed to efforts surrounding issues that impact youth and families, national issues of juvenile justice reform and gang prevention.
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Mary Turina, Vice President & Chief Financial Strategist for OHSU & Doernbecher Foundations, has joined the Board of Directors for CASA for Children. She brings an extensive background in business and investment strategy and fiscal management. She has previously been involved with the Children’s Cancer Association.
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Shop on AmazonSmile
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your purchases to CASA whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Simply click here to login to your amazon account to get started.
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Donate Your Vehicle
When you donate your used vehicle to CASA, we’ll use the proceeds to promote our mission to train and support community volunteers to advocate for the health, safety, stability, and well-being of abused and neglected youth who are under the protection of the juvenile courts. CASA’s vehicle donation program handles all of the details at no charge to you, and your donation is tax deductible — just click on the link below to get started.
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SEND A FOSTER YOUTH TO THE OREGON INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW
Sponsor a foster youth's attendance at the 2016 Oregon International Air Show! As hellcats zoom through the sky, attendees can visit the military village, eat delicious food, and try out the kid zone. Provide a CASA child with a very memorable weekend!
Courtesy of the Oregon International Air Show presented by Standard TV and Appliance.
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SPONSOR A FOSTER YOUTH'S NIGHT WITH THE PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS
Purchase a ticket for a CASA child to not only attend the game, but hit the ice for a shot at the goal, ride the zamboni, and hangout with the players. You can put a smile on their faces for a night they will always remember!
Tickets will be for the 2016-2017 season, in the 100-level section. Courtesy of Doug Piper and the Portland Winterhawks.
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Ponzi Summer Concert featuring Storm Large
Support CASA for Children by purchasing tickets to Storm Large in Concert at Ponzi Vineyards. On Saturday, August 27th at 6pm, experience Storm Large during an intimate sunset concert on the gorgeous Ponzi Vineyard’s lawn in Sherwood, Oregon. A gourmet picnic dinner by Dundee Bistro and complimentary glasses of Ponzi wine are provided, as well as, a shuttle bus to and from Portland. Last year, the sold-out benefit concert hosted 300 guests and brought in over $46,000 in support of CASA’s mission.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
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23rd Annual CASA Golf Classic
CASA for Children of Multnomah, Washington, and Columbia Counties is partnering with Fred Meyer Jewelers to host the 23rd Annual CASA Golf Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on September 12th. The tournament will raise money in support of CASA’s mission to advocate for the rights, safety, and well being of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the courts.
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Tell a Friend About CASA!
Do you know a recent empty-nester or retiree who cares about kids and is seeking an opportunity to engage in meaningful work? Send them our way! The majority of our volunteers come to us because they've heard about CASA from a friend, family member, or co-worker. We offer monthly orientations in all 3 counties; you'll find details on our website at:
www.casahelpskids.org/orientations.
For more information or to register, contact Susan King at (503) 988-6528, or [email protected].
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Flex Classes: (15 hrs online & 15 hrs in an evening class)
July 12th – August 23rd, 2016 on Tuesdays, 5:30pm - 8:45pm at St. Vincent’s Hospital –
9205 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 9722 (East Pavilion Stanley Classrooms)
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Upcoming Orientations:
CASA Training Center: 7031 NE Halsey St., Portland
June 14th
| Noon - 1 pm
July 19th
| Noon - 1 pm
August 23rd
| Noon - 1 pm
September 20th
| Noon - 1 pm
Providence St. Vincent Hospital - East Pavilion, Stanley Rm. 23: 9205 Barnes Rd., Portland
June 15th
| 5:30 - 6:30 pm (Stanley Family Rm. 21)
July 20th
| 5:30 - 6:30 pm
August 24th
| 5:30 - 6:30 pm
September 21st
| 5:30 - 6:30 pm
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