November 2019: News, Events, and Opportunities for CASA Volunteers 
 
Letter from CASA Executive Director Angela Rose 
 
 
Dear CASA Volunteers:
 
Happy Thanksgiving... almost! I hope you have plans to spend time with loved ones this month and to be grateful. I am so thankful for each of you and the amazing work you do for the children in this community.  
 
Speaking of gratitude, we could not be more grateful for the 24 new CASA volunteers that were sworn in at the courthouse this month. That's right - 24! Fourteen community members became advocates and ten new volunteers were sworn in as SEPT facilitators. Click here to meet these new volunteers now.   
 
These new volunteers were trained in the final classes of 2019. If you have friends or family interested in volunteering with CASA, you can tell them that the next advocate and SEPT classes begin in January. Training schedules are available here. What a great New Year's Resolution to give back and volunteer with CASA!  
 
A lot has transpired in 2019 and we have big
plans for 2020! We hope you will join us for our annual volunteer meeting to receive an update on all things CASA. More details will be available soon, but please save the date for Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM.   
 
Please note the CASA offices will be closed on Nov. 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving, and then again Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas.   
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me any time at angelar@casappr.org.   
 
Warmly,
Angela 
Upcoming Trainings & Events for Volunteers  
 
Listed below are some upcoming events you might be interested in. Full details are available by clicking the links. 

12/17: Santa's Shop Opens  
 
Milton Foster Children's Fund
HAPPENINGS
  • Teen Holiday Party
  • UCCS Men's Basketball Game
  • Senior Pictures for 2019-2020 year
  • Tutoring
  • Guitar Lessons
Click here for more about teen events.  
Volunteer Spotlight: PAUL LEMON 
 
This month, we are putting the spotlight on one of our loyal Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time (SEPT) volunteers, Paul Lemon.

Paul has been a dedicated SEPT facilitator for five years now, and he takes great pride knowing that he is making a difference for families.

Read more about Paul and about one of the SEPT families that stands out to him the most by clicking here.
CASA CarePortal Request Form now available online

CarePortal is an online platform that brings the needs of hurting children and families into local communities by making local churches aware of needs and giving them an opportunity to respond. If you have a need for a child you serve that cannot be met through Milton Foster Children's Fund, The Kid's Closet, The Hanger or other community resources, please use this form to submit a CarePortal request.The form can also be found under "Resources" on CASA's main menu at CASAPPR.ORG.  
  
Now accepting donations for the CASA Teen Gift Giveaway and Santa's Shop which opens Dec. 17th   
 
CASA is now accepting donations from the community for CASA's Teen Gift Giveaway and Santa's Shop. This is a great way to individually - or with a group - help support youth in foster care over the holidays! There are three ways to donate gifts! Click here to find out more

Once Santa's Shop is open, CASA volunteers will be invited to shop for the children on their cases.  This year's shop hours will be 12/17 from 12-4; 12/18 from 8-11; 12/19 from 8-4; and 12/20 from 8-4.
Welcome new SEPT Site Coordinator, Myles Nelson! 
 
SEPT volunteers will soon notice a new face at the CASA office. Myles Nelson, who has been interning with SEPT this year, just started his new position as SEPT Site Coordinator this week.

After serving in the US Army, Myles enrolled at UCCS and will graduate this May with a dual Bachelor's in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

In his new role, Myles will manage the SEPT visitation site during visits, including family/facilitator coordination, safety and security, and volunteer management.

Welcome aboard Myles!  
It's a Colorado CASA Facebook Take Over!  

As part of Colorado CASA's Change a Child's Story campaign, we are adding a CASA-themed frame to our Facebook profile pictures, Nov. 24-30. This frame will become available on Nov. 24 and if you would like to participate, follow these instructions:

From a desktop, go to Facebook.com/profilepicframes and search "Colorado CASA." Click on the frame, reposition to fit your profile picture, and click "Use as Profile Picture."  After one week, your profile picture will return to its normal version. 

In the Facebook app (from a phone or other device), go to your profile and click the small camera at the bottom right of your profile picture. Click "Add Frame," search "Colorado CASA," and click on the frame. Click "Make Temporary" and select "1 week" or "Custom" based on your preference, then click "Save."

Did you know Amazon purchases can benefit CASA?  
 
Did you know that every purchase you make on Amazon can support CASA of the Pikes Peak Region? All you have to do is use AmazonSmile. It's easy. Go to smile.amazon.com and log in with your usual Amazon login information. Under "Your Account," select "Change your Charity" and in the search bar you can type "CASA of the Pikes Peak Region." Click select and you're done! When you go shopping in the future, just start from smile.amazon.com and your purchase will benefit foster kids in the Pikes Peak Region!