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VOLUNTEER VOICES: MEET MARCELLUS
(FROM THE GEORGIA CASA BLOG)
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When I moved to Georgia in 2022, I had already interacted with the juvenile court system from a different perspective. My wife and I worked for nearly a year to bring our nephew, who was in foster care in Las Vegas, to live with us. In September 2023, he finally arrived, and we officially became his guardians. That experience made me realize just how much of a difference a consistent, supportive adult can make in a child’s life.
I started thinking about ways to give back, to be a vessel for other kids who needed guidance and support. So, I did what many people do when looking for opportunities—I searched online for volunteer programs in Georgia. That’s when I found Cobb County CASA. I had never heard of it before, but the mission resonated with me immediately. I applied, and to my surprise, I received a call back almost instantly. The whole process moved quickly, and before I knew it, I was in training.
During training, Mari, the Program Director for Cobb County CASA, mentioned how rare it was to have male volunteers—especially African American men. On the first day, she acknowledged me and another gentleman, expressing how excited she was to see us there. At the time, she told us there was only one other African American male CASA volunteer in all of Cobb County. Now, with us, there were three. That moment underscored how important representation is in this work and made me even more committed to seeing it through. Click here to read the rest of Marcellus' story.
| | MEET THE NEW GEORGIA CASA TEAM MEMBERS | | |
Dawn Charleston-Green joined Georgia CASA in June as Affiliate Services Director. A former affiliate CASA program director and Georgia CASA board member, she brings over 20 years of leadership experience spanning the military, education, and nonprofit sectors. Dawn is also an award-winning author, speaker, and founder of Dawn of a New Day 365, a platform focused on resilience and faith-based advocacy. A Louisiana native now living in east-central Georgia, Dawn enjoys mentoring authors, traveling, and spending time with her family—especially her children, who inspire much of her work.
| | LaDonna Collins joined Georgia CASA in February as the Child & Family Well-Being Director. LaDonna has over 20 years of experience in supporting and strengthening families and communities at the local, regional, state, and national levels. She previously served as the Executive Director for the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth. A member of the 2025 Leadership Georgia class, LaDonna lives in Rome with her family. When she’s not working, she’s all about soaking up the electric vibe of live music concerts, feeling the adrenaline at Atlanta United Soccer Games, cherishing every moment with her loved ones, and diving into inspiring personal development books and podcasts! | | Miriam Wade joined Georgia CASA in March as the Network Services Coordinator and was previously an Advocacy Coordinator with Atlanta CASA. Miriam has extensive experience in child welfare and advocacy across several states, with a passion for public service and social justice. Miriam is currently an active member of the Pennsylvania State Alumni Association (WeARE!) and the CASA Young Professionals Network. Outside of work, Miriam is a notary public, student of sign-language, cat mom, and freelance transcriptionist. She also enjoys staying active, crafting, playing video games, and exploring Atlanta through food and music. | | |
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR GEORGIA CASA CONFERENCE ON
AUGUST 23RD IN ATLANTA
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Registration has opened for CASA staff, board members, volunteers, and others in child welfare for the upcoming annual Georgia CASA Conference taking place on Saturday, August 23rd at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Conference Center. At our largest statewide event, attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn best practices. The day-long conference will include 15 workshops and feature keynote speaker Tristian Smith at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, where the CASA Volunteer of the Year nominees and winner will be recognized. Tristian is a best-selling author, veteran, and child welfare advocate who spent his youth in more than 25 foster homes and attended 13 different schools.
The event also includes an Opening Session, where awards will be given to two affiliate CASA programs, an affiliate board member, and a CASA champion. A CASA pop-up store and several other vendors will be selling CASA merchandise. For more information, please visit the event website. The registration deadline is August 8th.
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AFFILIATE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
CASA OF THE APPALACHIAN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
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In each issue, Georgia CASA highlights one of our affiliate CASA programs in the state. Please take a moment to read more about the CASA of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, headquartered in Ellijay and operating for 30 years.
Tell us how many volunteers you had last year along with how many children were served.
Appalachian CASA served 204 children with 43 active CASA volunteers last year.
How many CASA team members do you have? Appalachian CASA is a five-member team, with three volunteer supervisors, a recruitment and engagement specialist, and the Executive Director.
What is the service area? Fannin, Gilmer, and Pickens counties in the North Georgia mountains region
What is the favorite thing about your community? Our small-town community takes care of each other. We are a friendly, tightly woven web of caring people and resources that are readily available to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of children.
What is a unique tradition or event your affiliate holds annually? Appalachian CASA has a Red Shoe Party event in September at Chateau Meichtry.
What is your team's favorite local spot to grab lunch or coffee? Cantaberry Restaurant in Ellijay.
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer? If you feel even a small tug at your heart to help a child, listen to it. Becoming a CASA volunteer isn’t about having special skills — it’s about showing up for a child who may have no one else. In a world where children can so easily become just another case number, you have the power to remind everyone that this child matters. You lend your voice to a child who may feel invisible. You shine a light into the corners of a system where things too often get lost.
You may begin this journey thinking you're giving something of yourself — but you will quickly find that being a CASA volunteer gives back far more than you ever expected. The training will open your eyes. The experience will open your heart. Every child matters. Every child deserves a CASA volunteer.
Share a recent mission moment: A young child was in foster care due to her parents’ substance use and she was really struggling while being away from her parents. Her parents committed to Family Treatment Court and were doing well and learning how to lead sober lives. However, transportation issues were a barrier to completing their case plan. The child’s CASA volunteer advocated for her to return home, with 30 days of oversight by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) to ensure the parents were able to resolve their transportation issues. Since returning home, the child’s whole demeanor has changed – she has the sparkle back in her eyes, seems genuinely happy, and her parents have built a stronger relationship with her. They can now help her with schoolwork, reach out when they need assistance, and ensure she participates in school and community events. Appalachian CASA is so proud of this family’s commitment to healing together and it is a joy to see this child thrive.
| | EVENT WRAP-UP: LUNCHEON & FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER | |
Georgia CASA's annual signature fundraiser was held on April 23rd in Buckhead. With women's fashions from Tootsies, the event was moderated by Deidra Dukes of FOX5 Atlanta. Kathy O'Neal of Houston County was the honoree. She helped start two affiliate CASA programs in Middle Georgia and is a former Georgia CASA board member and ongoing supporter.
With a sold-out crowd of 300 attendees, the event, chaired again this year by Ursula Reynolds and Yvonne Nelli, included the first-ever very successful paddle raise. The overall event raised $145,000, thanks to the generosity of event sponsors, in-kind sponsors, silent auction donors, event attendees, and supporters. Click here to view pictures from the event.
We want to pay tribute to Jennifer Dunaway Smith, who passed away earlier in the spring. Jennifer was a past co-chair of the event. Her dynamic involvement with Georgia CASA spanned nearly a decade and coincided with instrumental years for our organization. She made introductions and connections for CASA whenever she had the chance. Her impact stretches beyond a single event or time period. We are so appreciative and honored to have shared so many of our most cherished moments with her and her husband Brian. Her spirit was contagious, her style unquestionable, and her compassion unending.
Pictured above: Event Planning Committee
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Thank you to the donors who supported Georgia CASA between January and May 2025. Because of our donors' generosity, over 8,300 children in foster care in Georgia last year were assigned a CASA volunteer to provide best-interest advocacy. Thank you, donors, for your investment in children!
Click here to view the donor listing for January 1 - May 31, 2025.
If you are not yet part of our donors, please consider giving online here! Gifts of any amount, either one-time or recurring, are greatly appreciated!
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Georgia CASA Welcomes New Board Members and Announces Officers
July 1st brings in a new fiscal year for Georgia CASA and new board members:
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Alecea Quintyne, Nonprofit Board Consultant (Carrollton)
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Judge Jan Wheeler, Retired - Juvenile Court Judge (Ellijay)
Board officers for the new fiscal year will include the following:
- Kim Harrington, Chair
- Wendy Cobb, Vice Chair
- Marvin Vaughn, Secretary
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Elena Chang, Treasurer (newly elected to officer position)
Thank you to Daniel Hathaway for serving as Treasurer the past five years.
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Impact Report for Fiscal Year 2024
Georgia CASA's Impact Report for fiscal year 2024 is available to view at this link. Check it out for highlights of the fiscal year.
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July 8 - 10: New Volunteer Supervisor Training (Macon)
August 5 - 28 & October 21 - November 13: Statewide Pre-Service Volunteer Trainings (virtual)
August 12 - 14: Training of the Facilitator (Macon)
August 23: Georgia CASA Conference (Atlanta)
September 10: Georgia Conference on Child Abuse Prevention
(Peachtree City)
October 8 - 10: Save the Date: Georgia Conference on Children & Families (Augusta)
December 3 - 5: Save the Date: The Summit: Georgia's Child Welfare Conference (Alpharetta)
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Video About The Role of a CASA Volunteer
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Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?
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Support Georgia CASA through Kroger Community Rewards! Our rewards number is IY574 or search by our full name - Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates.
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Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | gacasa.org
In partnership with local affiliates, our goal is that every child who must enter state custody will benefit from the best interest advocacy of a trusted, consistent CASA volunteer. We remain dedicated to supporting the CASA network in the provision of CASA volunteers for every child who comes to the attention of the juvenile court due to abuse or neglect.
Member of The National CASA/GAL Association for Children
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