CASA
Posted by Pam Arnsberger on Feb 02, 2017
Announcements and reminders
Santa Cruz Sunrise will have a winetasting live music and art auction event to turn wine to water for Africa on Feb 11th at the Tannery District conference on May 6th and 7th.
Major fundraiser is May 5th. We need live and silent auction items! Tickets will be $150 apiece or you can buy a table for $1400.
Tim reported on the book distribution. All five schools in the service area will be given Picture Me Reading books for the students.
Speech contest is Feb 23rd. Doug reminded us it will be a longer than usual meeting and you may wish to come 15 minutes early. If you signed up to volunteer remember to come! Doug will send out e-mail reminders.
Stop Hunger Now will be Saturday Feb 25th at New Brighton Middle School for a barrel wrap.
February 22nd will be the Aptos Soquel Capitola Chamber event here at the golf club from 4:00 – 7:00.
Monte Vista school needs judges for a poster contest February 24th. Let Doug know if you are interested.
John reported we have given $32,450 for the Rotary Foundation this year.
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Doug introduced Mary Kashmar, our speaker today, from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). It empowers volunteers to directly influence the lives of children in foster care by being a special advocate. They inform the courts and others as to what the child needs and what is in his/her best interests.
Doug introduced Mary Kasmar from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). It empowers volunteers to directly influence the lives of children in foster care by being a special advocate. They inform the courts and others as to what the child needs and what is in his/her best interests.
There are 900 organizations throughout the country and almost 50 in California. They receive 90% private funding. She said that birth to three are the largest growing group in foster care but they serve ages from birth to age 21. There are 450 children in foster care in Santa Cruz county generally as a result of substance abuse, domestic violence and/or parental neglect.
Men are much needed as volunteers since most of the kids only have a mother. CASA advocates meets with the kids once a week. When it’s time to go to court they write a report to the judge. They can do a number of tasks including tutoring. The average time that an advocate is with a child is 17 months. There are also paid staff who supervise these volunteers.
Last year they served 254 kids a year growing about 10% a year. Over 90% find a forever home and most (80%) graduate from high school. CASA’s mission is that every child who needs an advocate gets one. For more information go to casaofsantacruz.org (831) 761-2956.