Dear Friend,

As month of May comes to an end, I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate National Foster Care Month. This month, we shine the spotlight on the significant contributions and challenges faced by foster families in service of the children and youth in foster care. Whether they be grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, family friends, or traditional foster parents, foster guardians play a crucial role in our society, offering a safe and nurturing environment to children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumatic circumstances. It provides them with an opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.   It is essential that we acknowledge the dedication and commitment of foster families who open their hearts and homes to children in need. These individuals selflessly provide stability, care, and support, often going above and beyond to ensure the well-being of the children placed in their care. They serve as beacons of hope, offering a nurturing environment and playing an integral role in shaping the lives of the young ones they embrace. While we recognize the contributions the contributions of foster families, we also acknowledge that more help is needed. Serving as a foster guardian is a huge undertaking, and it is frequently done out of necessity. Foster families need support systems to be successful, and that is a role all of us can play—especially CASA Volunteers.   I encourage you to get involved however you can. Consider becoming a CASA Volunteer or a foster parent, supporting foster families through respite care or mentoring programs, or donating to local organizations that provide essential resources and services to foster children and families. Lake County specifically is experiencing a shortage of foster homes, and this means that Lake County children entering foster care will have more of their life upended as they need to move further away from their home into a foster placement. Visit https://letitbeus.org/ to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Lake County.   Thank you for your continued dedication to the needs of foster care. Together, let us work towards a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Happy National Foster Care Month!   With Gratitude,

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Your support makes an impact In just the last month...

293 Volunteers served as CASAs 532 children served by a CASA 7 children had cases close

Thank You to the Kirk Players Theater

We'd like to shout out and share our appreciation for the Kirk Players Theater for their recent partnership and donation in support of CASA's mission. The Kirk Players reached out with interest in setting up a fundraiser for CASA and $1,640 was raised via proceeds from their recent performance of "Chasing Charming". This is enough to cover nearly one year of advocacy services for a child in foster care in Lake County. Thank you!  Anyone interested in setting up a third party fundraiser for CASA can contact Nicoleta at ngirloanta@casalakecounty.com

Congratulations CASA Amy!

Congratulations to our CASA Volunteer Amy Voss for receiving the The President’s Volunteer Silver Achievement Service Award! Amy’s passion for the CASA program and her dedication to her CASA child are remarkable. She has devoted countless hours and advocated tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child in all areas. CASA Lake County is most appreciative of all of Amy’s hard work and her enthusiasm for the CASA mission.

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Kudos for Some Amazing CASA Volunteers!

To CASA Brian as one of the three children on his case was recently reunified with his father. Brian’s consistent, sincere, respectful, and compassionate interactions with the child and his father contributed to the development of a trusting relationship. Brian helped find resources including a bed for the child and reported on the safe, nurturing and positive environment in the child’s home. Brian was able to effectively gather information for his court reports that provided the court with information that supported permanency for his CASA child.

To CASA Cecilia for her strong advocacy for her CASA children in two cases. There have been some frustrations in the case and Cecilia has been a tremendous support to the caregiver. She is so generous with her time listening to the caregiver and encouraging her. She’s formed a sweet relationship with one of her young CASA children by her warmth and creativity during visits.

To CASA Tom as he continues the journey with his CASA children. Tom has followed the children to yet two more separate placements and has done a great job collaborating with the foster parents and residential staff in the best interests of the children. He has also been an important contributor to recent decisions made involving educational and mental health services for the children. The multiple caseworkers, as well as other professionals involved in the case depend on Tom, as he has been the one constant in the children’s lives for the past four years.

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CASA Thanks Our 2023 Mission Partners

Mission Statement CASA Lake County is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the juvenile court system. Based on the belief that every child is entitled to a safe and permanent home, thoroughly trained CASA volunteers work in collaboration with key agencies, legal counsel and community resources to serve as the child's advocate and represent the child's best interest in juvenile court.

700 Forest Edge Drive Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061 www.casalakecounty.com 847.383.6260