maryland casa association donor news! spring | 2016 a...

4/5/2016 Donor Newsletter April 2016 TO GO OUT HTML Content

https://www2.myngp.com/EmailMessage/EmailContent?emailMessageContentId=24893&externalSourceId=1 1/6

Maryland CASA AssociationDonor News!Spring | 2016

A Newsletter for our Most Valued Donors

Welcome to our spring edition of Donor News! We are excitedto share with you the latest news on all of the work MarylandCASA is doing throughout the state to further our mission ofadvocating for our most vulnerable children. With our soldoutconference coming up next week, expanded Training Academy,2nd Annual Foster Youth Summit coming up in June, and ourcharity team's 8th run in the Baltimore Running Festival inOctober, we are burning the candle at both ends to keep upwith all of the activity! This work is the direct result of your

support and we hope you know how much we appreciate it!

This month we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and, in honor of thisnationallyrecognized tradition, Maryland CASA is kicking off a new public awarenesscampaign to recruit 30 new volunteers in the next 30 days, and introducing a newgiving program to provide a quick and easy way to support our efforts and sustainour programs. Please read about these new initiatives – and much more – in thearticles below. If you have any questions about our work, or would like to getinvolved in some way, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks again for yoursupport!

Ed KilcullenState Director

Through Your Support of CASA...

20 year old Kyle* was one day away from aging out of the system when hisvolunteer realized he didn't have a state ID. His CASA volunteer droppedeverything and spent the day driving Kyle to various state agencies to gatherdocuments and ensure he obtained this important item before becomingindependent from the child welfare system.Due to neglect, 5 year old Molly* was nonverbal and still not potty trained, buther school still wanted to advance her to first grade. Molly’s advocate workedwith the school to keep her in kindergarten so she would have time to developand be successful in school.When 16 year old Andrew’s* CASA volunteer learned that he wanted to try outfor his high school football team, his advocate started taking him to the gym toprepare for tryouts. Even though Andrew is now a junior in high school, hehad never participated in an organized sport. Andrew made the team and theymade it to the playoffs! He is now making friends, keeping his grades up and

even went to the Homecoming Dance.



even went to the Homecoming Dance.

*names have been changed to maintain confidentiality

In This Edition, You'll Find:

MD CASA Intern Reflects on Her CASA VolunteerMaryland CASA's 10th Annual Conference Boasts Record RegistrationsPlans for 2nd Foster Youth Summit Underway!Team CASA to Participate for the 8th Year at the 2016 Baltimore RunningFestivalA New Way to Support CASA!Training Academy Continues to Expand!CASA In The Community

Meet Stacey:My CASA volunteer played an essential role inmy life. She made it her job to knoweverything about me and to know how I wasdoing while in foster care. As our relationshipprogressed, she became a role model for mebecause she achieved many things in her lifethat I wanted for myself in the future such asgoing to college. There wasn’t anything myCASA worker would not do for me. She woulddrive hours just to see me and listen to anyissues that I was having while in care.

Later on, after entering an independent livingprogram, which is where I was able to live in

my own apartment while still in foster care, she would give me a ride to go groceryshopping because I didn’t have a car and would wait for me until I was finished sothat she could drive me back home. My CASA worker also helped me to learn how toadvocate for myself. I would never go to my court hearings and whenever my socialworker made a decision for me I would never voice my opinion. She helped me buildthe confidence I needed to defend myself and speak up for what I felt was in mybest interest. Without the support of my CASA worker, I may not have been able toachieve the goals I've set for myself.

Currently I work as Maryland CASA's Human Services intern and help with volunteerrecruitment and fundraising projects. It has been 2 years since I exited foster careand now I am getting ready to graduate from Towson University in May of 2016with a B.S. degree in Family & Human services. With my degree I plan to open myown nonprofit organization in the future that will help older foster youth becomewell prepared and independent before emancipating from the system at age 21.

10th Annual CASA Conference



10th Annual CASA Conference

Maryland CASA’s 10th Annual Conference, entitled A Brighter Future for Maryland’sChildren & Youth, is set to take place on Saturday, April 9th at the JudiciaryEducation & Conference Center in Annapolis, Maryland. From early morning to lateafternoon, more than 200 CASA volunteers, staff, board members, and other childwelfare professionals will gather to embark on a journey of learning and improvingtheir ability to advocate for Maryland’s abused and neglected children!

This year, the event will kickoff with a keynoteaddress from Mr. Suamhirs PirainoGuzman, asurvivor of child abuse and human trafficking, whowas recently appointed by President Obama to theUnited States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking.He spent much of his childhood in an abusive homein Honduras and, at age 14, was smuggled into theU.S. and sold into child sex trafficking. PirainoGuzman was eventually rescued and placed in fostercare where he continued to experience traumabefore being assigned a Court Appointed SpecialAdvocate (CASA) volunteer, Marcos. Through the

help of his CASA, PirainoGuzman found the guidance and support he needed toovercome his past trauma. His keynote address will be a true survivor’s story,providing attendees with an insider’s look at our nation’s child welfare system, thehorrors of human trafficking and the impact a caring adult can have on a youngperson’s life.

Plans for 2nd Foster Youth Summit Underway!Maryland CASA is actively preparing for its 2nd Annual Foster Youth Summit:Pathways to Independence, to be held in June, 2016. This oneday event for fosteryouth 14 years and older, is aimed at introducing teens and young adults who arepreparing to leave foster care to the many resources available to help themsuccessfully transition to independence. The day will kick off with an inspirationalkeynote address, followed by a series of workshops where attendees learn criticallife skills, such as financial stability, job search strategies, housing options and how

to pay for college. An exhibit area will provide an opportunity for youth to meet



to pay for college. An exhibit area will provide an opportunity for youth to meetrepresentatives from service agencies and vendors. CASA volunteers and othercaring adults will attend with the youth to help them develop a game plan forsuccess!

If you or your company are interested in getting involved in the summit orsupporting the event in some way (e.g. sponsor, exhibit, workshop presenter, inkind donor, etc.), please contact us at 4108286761.

2016 Baltimore Running Festival

For the eighth consecutive year, Team CASA, Maryland CASA’s official charity team,will be participating in the Baltimore Running Festival. This event has becomeMaryland CASA’s biggest fundraiser and will take place on Saturday, October 15th atM&T Bank Stadium. Last year, we were honored to be named "Charity Team of theYear" by race organizers and we raised over $52,000. We have set our goal evenhigher this year, aiming to raise $55,000! Participants have the option to run (orwalk) the 5K, HalfMarathon, FullMarathon, Team Relay or, for the little ones, theKid’s Fun Run! In 2015, Team CASA was composed of over 165 runners, walkers,and joggers alike, all looking to get involved and help spread awareness of CASA.

Looking to join Team CASA and sign up for a race? Click HERE!

Our charity team is also actively seeking Corporate Sponsors for the event.Sponsorships are available at multiple levels and benefits vary by each but it is agreat opportunity to be known in your business community as a company that caresabout abused and neglected children! If you or someone you know would like tolearn more about becoming a Sponsor, please contact Ed Kilcullen, State Director at4108286761 or [email protected]

Last year’s sponsors included: McBee & Associates, 3D Communications, FirstPotomac Realty Trust, The Dillingham Company, Mars Supermarkets, MackenzieRetail, Gross Mendelsohn CPAs & Advisors, Clear One Advantage, Making GoodWork, The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), Merry Maids, The Boot Camp

Girl, Mother’s Federal Hill Grille, & Orr Financial Planning.

http://goteamcasa.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1151835

mailto:[email protected]



Girl, Mother’s Federal Hill Grille, & Orr Financial Planning.

Become a Champion or Protector of Children!Maryland CASA is excited to announce a new way to support our programs andservices! Launching in April, 2016, you now have the opportunity to join an elitegroup of givers by becoming either a Protector of Children (businesses) or Championfor Children (individuals). Monthly donors give vital support to our efforts to ensureMaryland’s children their right to safe, permanent homes. For as little as the price ofyour daily cup of coffee, you can help Maryland CASA recruit and train morecommunity volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglectedchildren in your own community.

Learn More Here

Maryland CASA Training Update

Maryland CASA's Training Academy continues to expand with the formation of a newTraining Collaborative, comprised of representatives from Maryland CASA andseveral local programs who are working together to identify the training needs andcoordinate statewide and local training events. Maryland CASA is also pleased toannounce that our Administrative Assistant, Kendal Braun, has officially beenpromoted to our Training & Administrative Coordinator! Kendal has been withMaryland CASA since December 2014 and, for the past few months, filled the shoesof a vacant parttime Training Coordinator position, and did a phenomenal job!Between coordinating inperson trainings, liningup webinar topics & speakers andbuilding our online Training Academy, Kendal was a natural fit.

Funding from various individuals as well as public & private foundations has made

the expansion of Maryland CASA’s training academy possible and we are forever

http://marylandcasa.org/protectors-of-children-giving-club/

http://marylandcasa.org/champions-for-children-giving-club/

http://marylandcasa.org/get-involved/make-a-donation/



the expansion of Maryland CASA’s training academy possible and we are forevergrateful. If you are interested in learning more about Maryland CASA’s trainingprogram, or if you’re interested in checking out on of our prerecorded webinars,please let us know by emailing [email protected].

CASA in the Community: Volunteers Needed!Each Spring & Summer, Maryland CASAparticipates in community festivals to helpspread the word about our work on behalf ofchildren in need and to help recruit additionalvolunteer advocates! This year we will beparticipating in the Towsontown SpringFestival on Saturday April 30th and Sunday,May 1st. We will also be attending the AfricanAmerican Festival on Saturday July 2nd andSunday, July 3rd.

For those veteran donors, this is a great wayfor you to get more actively engaged andshare with others why you have chosen to

invest in the work of Court Appointed Special Advocates. For new donors, it’s achance to meet Maryland CASA & local program staff, CASA volunteers, and boardmembers who are all dedicated to ensuring safe, permanent homes for Maryland’schildren. Not sure how to talk about CASA? No problem! We’ll be there every step ofthe way.

If you are interested in volunteering at one (or both) of these events, please [email protected] or give him a call at 4108286761. At the same time, ifyou plan to attend the events, but aren’t interested in volunteering, stop by and sayhello!

Interested in getting more frequent updates on your dollars at work? Connect withus on Facebook and Twitter to learn about what's going on in the world of CASA!

Copyright (C) 2016, Maryland CASA Association, All rights reserved.

{{Disclaimer}}

{{OrganizationAddress}}

If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us,please {{UnsubscribeLink}}.


http://www.towsontownfestival.com/

http://www.africanamericanfestival.net/


https://www.facebook.com/MarylandCASAAssociation/

https://twitter.com/MDCASA

maryland casa association donor news! spring | 2016 a...

Documents