THE JUDGE'S CORNER: Judge Sullivan's Final CASA Volunteer Swearing In Friday, December 19th was the last CASA volunteer swearing in of 2022 and Judge Sullivan's final swearing in ceremony before he retires in 2023. Our Program is incredibly grateful for Judge Sullivan's ongoing support and involvement with the CASA Program and volunteers. Eleven new CASA volunteers were sworn in and are now assigned to advocate for the best interest of twenty-nine children in foster care. Also present were Chief Judge Wiess, Judge Pickard and Judge Charter. 118 individuals completed the mandatory 30-hours of training in 2022 and our Program currently has 411 active CASA volunteers. The next training series is scheduled to begin February 2, 2023.

NFL's MY CAUSE MY CLEATS In December 2022, hundreds of NFL players will showcase causes that are important to them with custom cleats for the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign.    On December 4, 2022, New York Giants Offensive Lineman #65 Nick Gates wore the CASA/GAL logo on his cleats during the game against Washington. Nick is a native Las Vegan and attended Bishop Gorman High School. We are grateful and appreciative of Nick’s support and wish him much success!

CASA PROGRAM BUILDING RE-NAMED: Announcing: Tyrone Thompson CASA Children’s Center at Fortye Hall The building that houses the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is now known as the Tyrone Thompson CASA Children’s Center at Fortye Hall. The building at 601 N. Pecos Road is a hub of activity that makes a world of difference for abused and neglected children who are in foster care. The mission of the CASA Program is to support and promote court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children, so they can thrive in a safe and permanent home. The building received unanimous approval from the Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 6. Tyrone Thompson was a well-known member of the community, who served in the Nevada Assembly. He epitomized a true child advocate and CASA volunteer. He passed away in 2019, but left a lasting legacy of passion and commitment for representing abused and neglected children. From February of 1997 to August of 2018, Tyrone had a direct impact on 11 children in eight separate CASA cases. He assisted the local CASA Program as part of the CASA speaker’s bureau. He sat in on volunteer and staff interview panels. As part of a CASA 30-year anniversary video production, he revealed the secret to why CASA volunteers are so amazing. Tyrone also served on the Nevada CASA Association board and worked with the National CASA/GAL Association to help strengthen the CASA brand.

Pictured: Nevada Supreme Court Justice-Elect Linda Bell, District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiess, Court Executive Officer, Steven Grierson and CASA Program Administrator, Shelia Parks, joined Tyrone’s sister, Sonja Barnum-Mason and other family members to celebrate this special occasion.

EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT CASA PROGRAM VOTED BEST OF LAS VEGAS Bronze Winner 2022 for BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER Our CASA Program recently received the Bronze recognition from the Las Vegas Review Journal as the Best Place to Volunteer. This is an incredible honor and we appreciate the recognition and truly believe that we are the best place to volunteer! CASA Program Administrator, Shelia Parks, states “I’m blessed to have worked at such a wonderful organization for the past 27 years. I’m honored to receive this award and I give thanks to my amazing staff, who go above and beyond to support the CASA volunteers.” CASA Volunteer Coordinator, Cheryl Meyer states, “I have always said that CASA volunteers are the cream of the crop when it comes to volunteering. Their dedication to volunteer as a child advocate for the best interest of children in foster care is priceless.” CASA Volunteer Coordinator, Vickie Wilson, shared “There are so many wonderful volunteer opportunities/organizations in the Las Vegas community and we are honored to be considered one of the best in Las Vegas. As an employee of the CASA program, my priority is to create an environment that allows our volunteer workforce to do their best through active engagement, training, and support.”  CASA Volunteer Coordinator, Cindy Craft, states, “These amazing, intelligent, loving, wonderful volunteers make the world a little better for our foster children.  They inspire all of us to do and be better!”   CASA Volunteer Coordinator, Eduardo Alvarez, states, “CASA volunteers’ actions of advocating for our youth create an unexplainable impact that shape and mold the present and future of children in foster care.”   Legal Office Specialist, Angela “Buffie” Lucas shared, “When you can do more, you volunteer and advocate for the “little guy. This is such an amazing, life-changing movement that changes the lives of children every day in this country. It is humbling to be a part of it."

CHAMPIONS FOR CASA, Inc. Champions for CASA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit and is the new Auxiliary of the Eighth Judicial District Court’s CASA Program effective June 16, 2022.  Our Mission: Promote and support the work of the CASA Las Vegas program through recruitment, training, recognition of, and retention of CASA Las Vegas volunteers, so that every child in foster care in Clark County, NV can be represented. Support Champions for CASA by selecting them as your charity of choice with Amazon Smile.

VISIT CHAMPIONS FOR CASA WEBSITE

Become a CASA Volunteer! Are you interested in becoming a CASA volunteer? Maybe you know someone who would be a terrific child advocate. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are assigned by the Judge to advocate for the best interest of a child in foster care. Free informational meetings are scheduled (virtually) four times every month.

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CASA Program of the Eighth Judicial District Court | 702.455.CASA 601 North Pecos Road, Las Vegas, NV 89101 www.CASALasVegas.org

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