The CASA Program of St. Joseph County
The Advocate
3rd Quarter 2024
CASA Demographics to date for 2024:
- Number of Children Served to Date: 505
- Number of Children on the Waiting List: 216
- Number of CASA Staff Full-Time: 15
- Number of CASA Staff Part-Time: 2
- Number of Active Volunteers to Date: 106
CASA Makes a Difference
Congratulations CASA Spring Training Graduates!
Congratulations CASA Spring Training Graduates!
Sign up for Pre-Service Training and learn what it takes to become an advocate for children in the child welfare system. Make a difference in your community and change the lives of children who need a voice.
To fill out a volunteer application visit:
https://in-stjoseph.evintosolutions.com/VolunteerApplication
New Staff Advocate!
Please help us welcome our newest Staff Advocate, Bri’An!
Bri'An recently graduated from IUSB with her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. Soon she will be pursuing her Master's Degree in Social Work. Bri'An has lived in South Bend for the majority of her life. Prior to working at CASA, she was a SPED (Special Education Paraprofessional) at a local elementary school.
Bri'An has two young children who she loves spending time with. In her spare time, she enjoys various crafting activities including making t-shirts, sweatshirts, cups, etc.. Bri'An has been a Washington High School Assistant Cheerleading Coach for almost 6 years.
She is truly excited about starting her career here at CASA. Welcome, Bri'An!
Bri’An
New Supervisor of Volunteers!
Please help us welcome our newest Supervisor of Volunteers, Destini!
Destini graduated from IUSB with a Bachelors in Social Work. Destini was an intern with the Department of Child Services while completing her BSW then transitioned into an assessment worker the following year. She has a background in ABA therapy.
In her spare time, she enjoys playing and reading with her baby boy and being with her fiancé. Destini loves nature, music, comedy, craft cocktails, and all things Beyoncé!
Welcome to the CASA Team, Destini!
Destini
New Supervisor of Volunteers!
Please help us welcome our newest Supervisor of Volunteers, Tara!
Tara is a native of Evansville, Indiana, who now resides in Dowagiac, Michigan. She attended Indiana University, and is passionate about helping others. Tara spent her career in a variety of roles that allow her to serve others. Most recently she worked for MiWorks assisting students at Southwestern Michigan College secure funding for their education.
Tara loves concerts, random adventures, mini golf/arcades. She’s pumped to see Taylor Swift again in November. She’ll never turn down a game night with friends, and has well over 200 board games. She’s so excited to be part of CASA!!
Fun fact: Tara was an extra in A League of Their Own as a child, it was largely filmed in Evansville where she grew up. HOW COOL! Welcome, Tara!
Tara
New Staff Advocate!
Please help us welcome our newest Staff Advocate, Jacquie!
Jacquie recently graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice where she earned a certificate in Child Advocacy.
In her spare time, Jacquie enjoys watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, spending time with friends and family, especially her nephew, and horseback riding. Jacquie loves nature, coloring books, hot tea, soccer, music, traveling, and having a great laugh.
Jacquie has always been passionate about
helping others and knew that CASA would be
the perfect opportunity for her. She can't wait
to embark on this learning experience and
meet new people.
Jacquie
Julie Sellers has retired!
Julie Sellers has been an integral part of the CASA Program of St. Joseph County for the past 10 years as a Supervisor of Volunteers. During Julie’s time with CASA, she has supported 68 volunteers, serving on 191 cases, impacting 367 children.
Julie has worked extensively with youth, families, and pregnant mothers, for the last 40 years in St. Joseph County. Her decades of service in the community include working for Family and Children’s Center, St. Joseph County Juvenile Probation Department, and Alcohol & Addictions Resource Center, among other entities.
We can’t thank Julie enough for her commitment, dedication, and support to CASA volunteers, staff, and the children she effectively and passionately advocated for during her time with us. We are happy to report that Julie plans on continuing to serve the program as a CASA volunteer.
Valerie V. does an amazing job fiercely advocating for her CASA children's needs, and ensures her contact logs are up to date every month! Great job Valerie!
Joy G. has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years, serving on 12 cases and advocating for 25 kids and counting! Thanks for your 10 years of service, Joy!
Barb R. has been advocating on two separate, very challenging cases! She has advocated well for her children, ensuring their voices are heard. Thanks, Barb!
Mark K. maintains the utmost professionalism when working with attorneys, service providers, and family members. Mark ensures his CASA children are seen monthly, and his Optima logs are always up-to-date. Thank you Mark!
Matt D. has been working very hard on his case, and travels over 3 hours one way to visit his CASA child every month! Thank you Matt for your dedication to this child and the CASA program.
Lou Ann W. closed up her first CASA case in the end of January, and then took on TWO more cases! Thank you for being a great advocate, Lou Ann!
Gianna K. used her voice to speak up in court when she thought something should be changed. Because of Gianna's advocacy, her children are safe and thriving! Great work, Gianna!
Brigid K. thank you for organizing a donation drive at your church for the books and basics drive and for bringing in items on multiple occasions!
Spencer C. thank you for organizing a donation drive at your workplace for the books and basics drive and for collecting donations from your family and friends!
Cindi F. thank you for collecting items for our books and basics drive with your family and friends!
Volunteers, don’t forget the CASA Program has a Zoo Pass!
Contact your supervisor if you would
like to take your CASA kids to the Zoo!
Saturday, September 14, 2024
The 28th Annual Indiana GAL/CASA
Conference, “Change a Child’s Story”
The Grand Wayne Conference Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana
The registration site will be open soon! Registration cost for the conference will be $75.00 per person, and the Friday Night Welcome Reception will be $25.00 per person. Be watching your email for more information! We have an exciting line-up of speakers and sessions for you again this year!
join us for these free fun community events!
Continuing Education Hours
CASA Volunteers and Staff are required to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year.
**This includes volunteers who have taken a break and are not actively working a case!**
CASA Volunteers and Staff are required to complete at least 12 hours of continuing education each calendar year.
**This includes volunteers who have taken a break and are not actively working a case!**
You may accumulate and log over 12 hours per year.
You may accumulate and log over 12 hours per year.
Up to 3 hours per book read
Plus 1 hour for attending CASA Book Club Meetings!
Up to 6 hours per year
watching movies/
documentaries or TV series approved by your supervisor
In-service trainings held by the CASA office in person, or offered via video
Please use at least 3 different methods to complete your 12 hours
Any training/webinar that pertains to your work as a CASA volunteer approved by your supervisor or sent out by the CASA office
Indiana State CASA Webinars.
The CASA Office has a catalog!
Attending the State or National CASA Conferences
Some College Courses
What to watch:
Six Schizophrenic Brothers - Max (HBO)
Six Schizophrenic Brothers:
This four part series follows the Galvin family as they navigate living with six mentally ill siblings.
This terrifying, true story reveals how schizophrenia ripped through this family of fourteen, and the ways in which mental illness has affected those family members throughout their lives.
book club
New Meeting Location!
Next Meeting:
When: July 22, 2024 @ 6:30 PM
Where: Cat Lady Cafe’
401 E Colfax Ave Suite 104, South Bend, IN 46617
At 28, Stephanie Land’s plans of breaking free from the roots of her hometown in the Pacific Northwest to chase her dreams of attending a university and becoming a writer, were cut short when a summer fling turned into an unexpected pregnancy. She turned to housekeeping to make ends meet, and with a tenacious grip on her dream to provide her daughter the very best life possible, Stephanie worked days and took classes online to earn a college degree, and began to write relentlessly.
Maid explores the underbelly of upper-middle class America and the reality of what it’s like to be in service to them. “I’d become a nameless ghost,” Stephanie writes about her relationship with her clients, many of whom do not know her from any other cleaner, but who she learns plenty about. As she begins to discover more about her clients’ lives-their sadness and love, too-she begins to find hope in her own path.
Her writing as a journalist gives voice to the "servant" worker, and those pursuing the American Dream from below the poverty line. Maid is Stephanie’s story, but it’s not her alone..
Please join us and bring a friend! This event is open to both CASA Volunteers and those interested in learning more about the program!
Birthdays
volunteer
July
August
September
8/7
Nannette S.
8/8
Brigid K.
8/10
Pam W.
8/13
Debbie B.
8/16
Bob M.
7/3
Brenda C.
7/5
Margaret L.
7/6
Ruth N.
7/10
Cindi F.
7/10
Christine G.
7/14
Rick C.
7/17
Denise R.
7/20
Mike P.
7/24
Tony C.
7/27
Alexis S.
9/24
Josh W.
9/26
Tara V.
9/29
Preston C.
9/30
Julie S.
8/17
Jessica C.
8/23
Sharon L.
8/23
Chris G.
8/29
Stacy W.
8/31
Ashley O.
9/1
Suzanne W.
9/3
Heather C.
9/5
Marilou V.
9/16
Kelly T-F.
9/18
Donna R.
8/1
Michael D.
8/5
Kelly R.
8/5
Gail W.
8/5
Lou Ann W.
Volunteer Anniversaries
Volunteer Anniversaries
August
August
July
July
1 Year
Gianna K.
Cindi B.
Stacy W.
1 Year
Gianna K.
Cindi B.
Stacy W.
2 Years
- Tony C.
- Gina D.
- Ashley O.
- Alexis S.
- Tara V.
3 Years
- Kyleigh L.
2 Years
- Tony C.
- Gina D.
- Ashley O.
- Alexis S.
- Tara V.
3 Years
- Kyleigh L.
September
September
1 Year
Michelle K.
1 Year
Michelle K.
3 Years
Ann Y.
3 Years
Ann Y.
4 Years
- Hope E.
10 Years
- Jon P.
- Sue S.
- Sally S.
4 Years
- Hope E.
10 Years
- Jon P.
- Sue S.
- Sally S.
Staff Birthdays
July
Tara N. - 7/1
Brenda M. - 7/13
Bianca P. - 7/25
Staff anniversaries
August
September
3 years
Tameria M. - 9/13
Amanda b. - 9/27
1 year
Kennedy S. - 8/28
3 years
katie b. - 8/16
2024 Holiday Schedule
The CASA Office will be closed on the following date(s):
- September 2, 2024, for Labor Day
