CASA of Los Angeles is extremely excited to announce the Renne Bilson Fund, a special fund created by Bruce Bilson to honor his wife Renne's 35 years as a CASA and provide a path for her to continue to be involved and impact children’s lives even when she is no longer working directly as an advocate.
The fund will have three areas of focus:
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Post-Secondary Education including college and trade school scholarships and other college related expenses
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Special Early Childhood needs for both expectant and new parents
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Family Reunification expenses
Look for more details in the next week to find out how the Renne Bilson Fund can help your advocacy!
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CASA/LA SELECTED ONE OF 56 ORGANIZATIONS BY LA84 FOUNDATION AND LA SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION
CASA/LA was selected along with 55 local organizations to be a spotlighted nonprofit in all marketing efforts leading up to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles in addition to receiving a $10,000 grant.
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CASA/LA FEATURED IN THE NEWS
CASA/LA CEO Charity Chandler-Cole was featured on Spectrum News 1 SoCal with CASA Sam Bernstein and his CASA child, Junior. We are so grateful to Sam and Junior for sharing your story!
Charity was also featured on NBC4 recently. You can watch the video HERE. |
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CASA/LA IN-SERVICE TRAINING
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
When: Thursday, July 8 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2
Early Education
When: Wednesday, July 14 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2
Regional Center 101
When: Wednesday, July 21 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2
Hillsides: Residential Treatment Facility and More
When: Thursday, July 29 at 12-2 PM
Where: online
Continuing Education Hours: 2
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If you are interested in watching a recorded video of a past training that you missed, reach out to Betsy Ann Mudd (bmudd@casala.org). We may have what you are looking for!
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Join us for our next Fireside Chat on Friday, July 2 from 12-1 PM. Our conversation will focus on Youth of Incarcerated Parents. |
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BOOK CLUBS
Coastline Book Group
Where: CASA's private backyard in Cheviot Hills*
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 2 PM
We're Reading: "Unknown Bridesmaid" by Margaret Forster
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.
San Fernando Valley Book Group
Where: CASA's private backyard in Studio City*
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 7 PM
We're Reading: "Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender and Parenting in America" by Nefertiti Austen
*Space is limited to those with completed COVID-19 vaccines.
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CASA CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for CASA volunteers to connect with and support each other in this work.
Early Childhood (0~5) Tuesday, July 27, 5 PM
Middle Childhood (6~9) Tuesday, July 27, 5 PM
Tween (10~14) Tuesday, July 6, 6 PM
Transitional Age Youth (15~17) Tuesday, July 20, 3 PM
Non-Minor Dependent (18~21) Tuesday, July 13, 5 PM
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QUARTERLY VOLUNTEER FORUM
At CAS/LA, we are all about transparency and connection. That's why we're inviting you to our quarterly volunteer forum. Amidst this unprecedented time in our world, our work still continues. Please join us to reflect on recent successes, where we are in current strategic initiatives, and discuss our goals ahead. This forum provides you with a platform to share your thoughts and feedback on your volunteer experience. It's also a great opportunity to have a dialogue directly with CASA/LA leadership on topics that truly matter to you!
Thursday, July 22 @ 4-5:30 PM
Online via ZOOM
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Justice Jog Virtual 5K/10K Challenge
Join us for CASA/LA's Justice Jog Virtual 5K/10K Challenge in partnership with Greater Los Angeles Area Legal Administrators (GLA ALA)!
Between September 1 – 25, 2021, you can run, walk, hike, bike, climb (or any other exercise you can measure) to complete your 5K or 10K, and raise funds to win prizes. So, get motivated, register, get your runner’s kit, and get going to support our CASA kids! Registration begins July 15th at CASALA.org/JusticeJog.
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Hot Diggity Dog!
We’re celebrating National Hot Dog Month with Dirt Dog! Support our advocacy on Saturday, July 24th by indulging yourself at any of Dirt Dog’s three LA locations: DTLA, Pasadena, or Downey. Dirt Dog will donate $1 for every hot dog sold toward the vital outcomes CASA volunteers are accomplishing every day! Please contact Kelly Lozo at klozo@casala.org with questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Could Your Youth Be Eligible For Pandemic Relief Funding?
Check for Us is a website that helps connect youth in care with potential funding from pandemic relief programs. Most states are providing between $500 - $2,000 for current & former foster youth. Youth can sign up on the Check for Us website to find out if they are eligible.
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STRTP Ombudsperson Available to Help Youth in STRTPs
The STRTP Ombudspersons are a resource to help address issues for youth living in a STRTP (Short Term Residential Treatment Program). They can support with anything, from challenges with available food options at the placement to violations of the foster care bill of rights to a youth having conflict with their social worker. For example, they are currently helping one of our CASAs because an STRTP will not allow their CASA youth to participate in sports as an extracurricular hobby. You can visit their website or connect with them directly.
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Michelle Day
Ombudsperson for Youth in STRTPs
Department of Auditor-Controller
Office: 213-253-0117
Cell: 213-476-2392
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Michelle Lucarelli-Beltran, LCSW
Ombudsperson for Youth in STRTPs
Department of Auditor-Controller
Cell: (213) 342-5755
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Want to get your own CASA/LA swag?
Our CASA Shop will have you looking good and supporting our cause all at once. It's a win win! |
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Join our resource forum Muut to search/share resources, communicate with other CASAs, and ask questions. Read these instructions to begin. |
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Visit Litmos for webinars on transitional age youth, early childhood, and more.
Look in your email for an invitation from CASA/LA or contact your supervisor.
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Read our volunteer handbook for policies covering everything from conflict of interest, mandatory reporting, boundaries, or posting on social media. |
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