|
Colorado Gives Day
Tuesday 12/10/2024
December is right around the corner, and Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 10th! Colorado Gives Day is the biggest 24-hour giving movement in the state, and one of the most successful giving days in the nation.
Early giving is open now. From November 1 through December 10, every donation to CASA of Larimer County will be boosted with a $1M+ Incentive Fund, made possible by Colorado Gives Foundation and FirstBank. Plus, if you set up a new monthly donation, Colorado Gives Foundation will match your first gift up to $100!
Help us raise awareness and funding for our programs! Let your friends and family know about Colorado Gives Day and send them the link below.
| | |
|
|
CASA Open House
Saturday 12/8/24, 12pm
Do you know someone who's interested in becoming a CASA Volunteer? Send them our way!
When: December 8th, 12pm - 2pm
Where: Harmony House
3105 E Harmony Road, Fort Collins, CO
| |
|
Sam and Trevor live in Longmont and have not seen their mom since August. These teens have been through a lot over the years and have requested to not see their mom until there is stability in her sobriety. The right CASA for Sam and Trevor will help them continue to advocate for what they need and want during the case. Equally important, the right CASA will enable these two to have fun, relax, and enjoy being teenagers.
If you would like to bring joy to these brothers, please email Holly at holly@casalarimer.com
|
|
|
TBRI® Tip
TBRI® is an attachment-based and trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors. While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.
TBRI® Engagement Strategies: The engagement strategies are designed to help a caregiver and child foster a connection through nonverbal channels of communication. Engagement strategies help to build a foundation for a trusting and healing relationship.
November's TBRI® Engagement Strategy: Eye Contact
Eye contact is when you are intentional with the way that you look at your CASA children. When you use eye contact, you are non-verbally communicating that you value your CASA child, and that they are worthy of your time and attention. This is how you show you are actively listening to your youth, and it teaches them social cues such as facial expression. Eye contact may be challenging for children with trauma, so go slow, never force eye contact, and make sure that when you are looking at them you are using soft eyes that communicate preciousness.
| |
|
CASA Book Club
Please join us for CASA book club!
When: Wednesday January 8th, 5pm - 6:30pm
Where: Harmony House (3105 E. Harmony Rd. Fort Collins)
| | |
|
|
We will be discussing The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
In this book, Haidt makes a compelling argument that the loss of play-based childhood, and its replacement with a phone-based childhood, is not suitable for human development and is the source of increased mental distress among teenagers. The Anxious Generation delves into the latest psychological and biological research to show the four fundamental ways in which a phone-based childhood disrupts development – sleep deprivation, social deprivation, cognitive fragmentation and addiction. Amazon
| |
|
Please RSVP to Nina at nina@casalarimer.com if you're planning to attend.
You will receive 4 hours of continuing education credits for reading the book and joining our discussion.
| |
|
Fostering Futures Training
Please join us at our semi-annual Fostering Futures training!
When: Tuesday December 10th & Wednesday 11th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Harmony House (3105 E. Harmony Rd. Fort Collins)
This training is geared towards being a CASA for teenage children - whether you are on a case with a teen now or would like to be in the future.
The focus will be on the resources available to teens to help them become successful, independent adults in the future. In many cases, teens lose the resources available to them when their court cases close or when they age out of the foster system, and this training will help you prepare for that pivotal time in their life.
Please email Joe at joe@casalarimer.com to register for the training, or with any questions.
You will receive 6 hours of continuing education credits for attending this training.
| |
|
CASA to CASA
Please join us for a discussion about Dual-Involved Youth
When: Monday December 16th 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Where: Harmony House (3105 E. Harmony Rd. Fort Collins)
CASAs are not officially appointed in JD cases. However, Magistrate Boxberger values the insight a CASA brings to her clients with an open D&N, especially with regards to recent successes experienced by the teen. She has asked for reports and has enabled CASAs to be present and speak in her courtroom. Your child or teen needs you now more than ever as they face double the court involvement and double the need to be seen and heard as a kid. Share your experience and bring your questions
Snacks and coffee are provided, lunches are welcomed.
Please email Holly at holly@casalarimer.com to RSVP, or with any questions.
You will receive 1.50 hours of continuing education credits for attending this discussion.
| |
|
Self-Preservation Mindset (Virtual Training)
Wednesday December 11th, 11:30am
The holiday season can be a difficult time for the children we serve. As a CASA staff and volunteer, it is important to remember to take care of yourself so that you can continue to provide the best possible support to the children you serve.
This training will provide a brief overview/review on stress and secondary traumatic stress (also known as vicarious trauma), its effects, and how to recognize the potentially harmful effects that impact us in psychological, emotional, and even physical ways. The speaker will provide an overview of the self-preservation mindset, along with simple, yet effective strategies to foster self-preservation and self-care will also be explored.
| |
Don't forget to check the Continuing Education button below for more learning opportunities! | | |
|
Need additional support right now? Self-care is critical for CASAs
Please join us for Coffee with Susan Info/Support Sessions. Susan Guio, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and longtime supporter of CASA, will be providing guidance to our Advocates and answering questions about best practices and trauma informed care for supporting our CASA children. CASAs will be able to speak generally about their cases/children, any challenges you may be encountering, and share ideas in a group setting. You are encouraged to bring questions for Susan.
When: January 16th 12pm - 1pm
Where: Harmony House (3105 E. Harmony Rd. Fort Collins)
Please RSVP by emailing DeAnn at deann@casalarimer.com if you plan to attend. Snacks will be provided.
Susan Guio, LCSW also offers one-on-one support to CASAs experiencing difficult times. A 30-minute session is available every Thursday at 3:00 pm. Please email DeAnn at deann@casalarimer.com or your Case Supervisor to explore this support.
|
| |
|
Steve Troy
November Volunteer of the Month
Nominated by DeAnn Zamora-Schroeder
| | |
|
|
Please join us in congratulating our November volunteer of the month, Steve Troy!
Statement from DeAnn on why she nominated Steve: Steve is an outstanding CASA who has been a volunteer since March 2022. He is currently advocating for 2 teen boys who are at times unhoused, severely food insecure, and involved in the Juvenile Detention courts. Steve is a tireless advocate for the boys, consistently supporting them and being a strong voice in court. Steve is a caring adult these boys can always turn to in their time of need, and they know they can trust and count on him.
| |
|
Q&A with Steve
How, when and why did you choose CASA?
I've known about CASA for quite a while. I've been a CASA in Seattle, but the time demands didn't work out when I was working full time. When I retired to Fort Collins, I looked into it again.
Can you share a little bit about the case you're on and what your youth is like?
My current case is a bit complex - a large family with three separate CASAs. I'm the CASA for two teen boys who remained with their parents. The family's housing issues have been overcome, and the family is doing well.
What has your experience been like as a volunteer?
It can be emotionally exhausting and frustrating. But I remind myself that I can't solve every problem. I stay positive. I know I'm helping a person who is in a difficult situation not of their own making.
What are some activities you do with your youth on your case?
The two teenage boys I work with like to go to a trampoline park. They are really excellent jumpers. Especially the younger of the two. He's very popular and it's definitely his happy place.
What is one moment that has stood out to you as a volunteer?
The older of the two boys I work with had a relatively minor criminal issue and had to appear in juvenile court. He called and asked if I would be in court. I didn't think it would matter to him, [since] as a CASA I can't speak or have any interaction... but it still made a difference to him.
| |
NEW: CASA Visits at the Harmony House! | | |
|
We are excited to offer the Harmony House (3501 E. Harmony Rd, Fort Collins) as an optional location for CASA visits anytime between 9am - 4pm, Monday through Saturday! The Harmony House has several plays rooms with toys, crafts and games, a full kitchen that can used for baking or cooking, and a backyard with playground equipment. Please reach out to your Case Supervisor for availability.
|
|
Child-Friendly Activities and Resources | |
|
Passes and Free Activities Available for CASAs
CASAs can take their CASA kids to the following locations in Fort Collins/Greeley free of charge by showing their CASA ID to the front desk:
-
Edora Pool Ice Center: 1801 Riverside Ave
-
Mulberry Pool 424 W. Mulberry St.
-
Fort Collins City Park Pool 1599 City Park Ave
-
Northside Aztlan Community Center: 112 E Willow
-
Foothills Activity Center: 241 E Foothills Pkwy
-
The Farm at Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood St
-
Loveland Chilson Center, 700 E. 4th St, Loveland
- Family FunPlex: 1501 65th Ave, Greeley
- Greeley Recreation Center: 651 10th Ave, Greeley
- Centennial Pool: 2315 Reservoir Rd, Greeley
You can also pick up passes and tickets at the Justice Center for:
-
Family passes to the Gardens at Spring Creek
-
Pass cards to Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
-
Cinemark movie tickets
- SCHEELS Ferris Wheel Rides
Curiosity Pass: Poudre River Public Library District
Free admission with a Poudre Library Card to multiple cultural institutions in Colorado including Butterfly Pavilion, local museums, Dinosaur Ridge and Gardens on Spring Creek.
Free Passes to Colorado State Parks and Attractions
Check out free library passes to Colorado state parks, museums and attractions.
The Toy, Game and Puzzle Library
A library of high quality toys, games and puzzles available for community check-out.
Free Denver Zoo Tickets for CASA Volunteers and Kids!
The Denver Zoo has generously reached out to offer FREE Denver Zoo Daytime Admission Tickets for CASA staff and volunteers to be used for an excursion with CASA youth. The Zoo is open daily from 10am – 5pm. Entry closes at 4pm. Please only claim tickets if they will be redeemed. Email tisa@coloradocasa.org to claim your tickets.
Volunteer Opportunities at Wildlands Restoration with your CASA Teen
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers is a Colorado nonprofit that organizes volunteers to complete conservation projects throughout Colorado. Events range in length from a few hours to multi-day campouts and are located in beautiful natural areas from the plains to the alpine.
2024 Colorado Free Days Calendar
Calendar of area attractions offering free admission.
Upcoming Community Events
Loveland Library Upcoming Events
Poudre Library Upcoming Events
FC Museum of Discovery Events
Noven Foundation Grant Opportunity
Do you have a CASA kiddo in foster care interested in pursuing an extracurricular activity such as dance, sports, music, etc., but can't afford the fees? Visit the Noven Foundation online to apply for a unique grant opportunity designed to fund these activities.
| | | | |
