Savannah/Chatham CASA, Inc.
Savannah/Chatham CASA, Inc. Newsletter
"I Am for the Child"
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News from Georgia CASA
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Issue: #41

September/October 2014

News from Savannah/Chatham CASA
 

Over $100,000 Raised for CASA!

 

Jerry Rooney, Shari Carney, Kasey Berman, Joseh "Joza" Marion, Kristi Faircloth, and Patrick Perry

 

The 7th Annual Dancing with Savannah Stars, held on Thursday, October 2, 2014, was the highest grossing fundraiser yet for Savannah/Chatham County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Inc. Through the overwhelming support of event sponsors, donors and attendees, Savannah/Chatham CASA exceeded its goal of $80,000 to sustain programming needs and resources for abused and neglected children in the child welfare system. The program has raised over $102,000 including pledged sponsorships - and that amount continues to rise with continued support.

 

Congratulations to the competition finalists! Best Male: Corey Jones, owner of Lucky Savannah Rentals. Best Female (tie): Shari Carney, Community Philanthropist, and Yael Elfassy, Pediatric Hospitalist with South Coast Medical Group. Top Fundraiser Jerry Rooney, President of Chatham Steel Corporation, raised over $22,000 for CASA.

 

The efforts of each of the 2014 Savannah Stars propelled the program toward its goal: Kasey Berman of Be Pediatrics, Tom Bordeaux of Savannah's City Council, Kristi Faircloth of Ugly Duckling Oboes and Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants, and Patrick Perry of SunTrust Bank.

 

Professional dancers that choreographed, rehearsed, and performed included: Maria Hibbs of A&I Butterfly Ballroom; Alan Cloud of Essi's Dance Studio; Rachael Moore, Jill Patania, and Jeff Trent of Salon de Baile; and Joza Marion (independent) and Mack McKenzie (independent).

 

Event judges Robert Baugniet, Robin Greco, and Marc "Magic Marc" Dunston delivered encouraging commentary throughout the evening. Host Sonny Dixon of WTOC-TV entertained and charmed the crowd of nearly 400.

 

Funds raised from the campaign will be used to support volunteer recruitment, management and advocacy of children in the child welfare system. As community partners in the child welfare system, CASA volunteers increase abused and neglected children's access to services, promote safety, and advocate for timeliness and permanency for children involved in juvenile court proceedings.
 
Shari Carney & Yael Elfassy with Sonny Dixon
CC Powell & Jerry Rooney
Corey Jones with dance partner Rachael Moore, family, and friends
 
CASA New Hire 
 
We would like to introduce the newest member of our CASA team - Ciara Nickson! Ciara has a strong passion for justice in the legal system and for children in care. As an Advocacy Coordinator, Ciara will provide staff support to CASA volunteers to ensure that children involved with the CASA program receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning.

Ciara Nickson is a native Jersey girl who recently relocated to Savannah. She has a Bachelor's Degree from South University and has previously worked at Atlantic Area CASA in Hinesville as a Volunteer Coordinator since 2012. She is the oldest of 3 siblings and uses her free time to enjoy her hobbies which include writing, painting, and refurbishing furniture.  

  

Welcome to the team Ciara!  

News from Georgia CASA
Child Welfare Topic: KidsCount 2014
From Georgia Family Connection Partnership

 

The 2014 Kids Count Data Book, released by The Annie E. Casey Foundation in July, ranked Georgia 42nd in the nation for overall child well-being, up from 43rd last year. Georgia  has seen significant improvements in the areas of health and education over the past five to 10 years, even as economic well-being indicators worsened. Family and community well-being indicators have shown mixed results.

 

You can access interactive data from the Georgia Kids Count report as well as the overall Kids Count Data Book for national and state-by-state data.


News from National CASA
Children's Defense Fund Releases New Poverty Fact Sheets

 

Children's Defense Fund Releases New Poverty Fact Sheets

Many children who suffer from abuse or neglect come from families undergoing financial hardship. Two new fact sheets from the Children's Defense Fund analyzed census data to provide a picture of trends surrounding child poverty in America:

  • Child Poverty dropped nationally for the first time since 2000, but 8.8% of children still live in extreme poverty. Read the full National Analysis
  • Forty-two states still have higher child poverty rates than pre-recession, and children of color continue to suffer disproportionately from poverty. Read the full State Analysis.
Sincerely,
Anne Robinson
Executive Director
Savannah/Chatham CASA, Inc.