Welcome
Welcome to Massachusetts CASA Association's quarterly newsletter for all interested in CASA. This publication is designed to provide you with snippets of information about what is happening throughout the state and with CASA as well as offering you ways to help and be involved.
New Boston Executive Director
Judge Terry Craven
Terry served as First Justice and a trial judge in Suffolk County Juvenile Court for over 18 years. She presided over Care and Protection, Child Requiring Assistance, Delinquency and Youthful Offender cases. She has experienced the child welfare system from the inside as a judge and former probation officer in Suffolk County. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Terry was an attorney specializing in Child Welfare and Juvenile Law for over 13 years in Boston. She represented both children and parents before the courts of Massachusetts. Terry was appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem in both the Juvenile and Probate Courts for custody issues; as an educational advocate; to monitor and offer recommendations to the court on the extraordinary medical treatment of children in state custody and to investigate the treatment of and represent the legal rights of children within the foster care system. She was a teacher in the Boston Public Schools for three years before becoming a juvenile probation officer. She was appointed by Boston Juvenile Court as the Director of the Herrick Center for Girls, a non-profit organization that oversaw the supervision and treatment of young women within the juvenile criminal justice system who were victims of human trafficking in Boston. Terry has served on the Board of Trustees of Westfield State University; the Board of Directors of the Judge Ireland Fund; the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Bar Association of Massachusetts and currently serves as the elected president of the Massachusetts Judges Conference. She has been recognized by both the Massachusetts House and Senate as well as multiple community and bar organizations for her work in the areas of juvenile law and child welfare. She currently teaches Juvenile Law at New England Law School. Terry can be reached at  terry@bostoncasa.org  or 617-780-4055, ex. 113.
Hiring an Executive Director
join_our_team_sign.jpg
We Are Hiring!
Massachusetts CASA Association is hiring an Executive Director.

If Interested please contact Kathleen Cook, Board President.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteer Advocates are needed in all of our 6 local programs in the Commonwealth. Help change a child's story.
Conference Committee
hands_teamwork_puzzle.jpg
We are starting to plan for the 2021 Bi-Annual Massachusetts CASA Conference . If you know of someone that would be a great presenter, please let us know. We are also seeking CASA staff and advocates that would like to be on the Conference Committee. Please contact Kathleen@macasa.org .
Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Jim Craigen from the
CASA Project Worcester, MA
How long have you been an Advocate?   Approximately 10 years.

What brought you to CASA?   After spending a 35 year career in special education, I was searching for a retirement opportunity to continue working with children in need . CASA has been a good fit for me in this regard.

What keeps you at CASA? CASA continues to give me the opportunity to advocate for and make a small difference in the lives of children.

What CASA experience stands out the most?   My first CASA case involved three very young foster children who were eventually adopted by a couple. Weeks later while grocery shopping, I ran into this new family. The smiles on their faces warmed my heart and assured me that I was part of a positive change in their lives.
 
Three words to describe yourself:  
Committed-Conscientious-Caring
Occupation:  Retired Special Educator
What are your hobbies/interests?
Travel-Cycling-Community Service-Local Politics and spending time with my granddaughter and family
Favorite vacation destination: Coastal Maine
Favorite food: Anything seafood
What are you reading or watching right now:  
Masterpiece Theatre Programs
Dog or Cat:  Dog
Coffee or Tea:  Coffee
Favorite Color:  Blue
We believe all of our Volunteers have super powers, what is yours? Clinical Observation
Anything else you’d like us to know about yourself, or your time as an Advocate?
I truly believe in the mission of CASA to promote the safety of children in DCF care and insuring the placement of these children in nurturing long term home environments.
National CASA Website
National CASA has a new website.
They can be found at nationalcasagal.org
National CASA News
National CASA is a national cause with 93,300 of the most dedicated volunteers out there. 271,800 children are served annually.
Non-Profit Highlight
More Than Words is a job training and youth development program that empowers nearly 350 youth each year to take charge of their lives by taking charge of our $4M bookselling business.

We accept gently used clothing and shoes and ALL of your books, CD’s, DVD’s, and Video Games, except for encyclopedias, VHS tapes, audio cassettes, or magazines / periodicals.
More Than Words is a nonprofit social enterprise that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business.

Donations of books and clothing are the fuel for our youth-run business and the vehicle for our young people to take charge of their lives. All of our books are donated, and all donations are fully tax deductible.

More Than Words on Channel 5 News: WATCH NOW
Donations
Make a Gift. Make a Difference.
A donation to Massachusetts CASA is an investment in the future of children in the Commonwealth.

Your gift helps CASA programs throughout Massachusetts provide the best volunteer advocacy for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
Massachusetts CASA Association | 867 Boylston Street, 5th Floor Boston, MA 02116

774-225-0416 | Contact Us