Advocates For Children CASA Youth to Speak in Washington D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Advocates For Children CASA Youth to Speak in Washington D.C.

Aurora, CO – May 1, 2012 – On Saturday, April 28, 2012, the National CASA Board met in Denver, CO, at which time they had the privilege of hearing from two young people, Adrian and Latisha Alvarado. “What remarkable, smart and resilient youth,” said Carmela Welte, the Deputy CEO of National CASA.  

Impressed by Latisha and Adrian’s captivating story, the National CASA Board invited Latisha to present at a Congressional briefing in Washington D.C. on May 15, 2012. One of her two longtime CASA volunteers, Fran Mlynar, will travel with Latisha and offer her support during this exciting opportunity. 

Topics discussed during the Congressional briefing will include the issues faced by older youth, who are emancipating from care. Latisha will speak about these challenges, and share her story with Congress. Latisha may also have the opportunity to speak with Colorado Senators and Congress people, at which time she can encourage appropriate legislation on the federal level.

Contact: Advocates For Children
Phone: 303-695-1882
Email: one_casa@adv4children.org
Web site: www.adv4children.org

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Colorado Gives Day Bravo Celebration

The campaign "Give Where You Live" meant something for Advocates for Children on Colorado Gives Day, which was held on December 6, 2011. Many of you probably heard a thing (or two or three) about it, whether through local media, or by following our social media campaigns. Due to your participation, Colorado became $12.4 Million Strong!

Colorado nonprofits also had a chance to win big, thanks to FirstBank, the sponsor of twelve $5,000 "High Five" prizes. On January 19, 2012, prizes were awarded to organizations that reached the following goals:  Most Dollars Raised, Most Donors, Largest Percent Increase Over 2010 category, and Most Dollars Raised Via Fundraising Pages. (Three prizes were awarded in each category).

Advocates for Children was one of three nonprofits who brought home an additional $5,000 for the Most Dollars Raised Category.  Thanks to all who helped us reach that goal, as your donation truly went further! 

Click here to read a Press Release and view the other winners!

CASA Spolight - Sarah Wood

We are excited to announce that Sarah just saw her first CASA case come to a successful dismissal with a round of applause in the Courtroom (led by the Magistrate herself) for all of her hard work and dedication to her CASA kiddos and their whole family!  Sarah has been the epitome of the most wonderful CASA volunteer!  She has undoubtedly maintained consistent contact with her CASA kids through different placements and on to reunification with their mother and new baby sibling (who Sarah was also very much involved with).  Sarah was also there to help accompany the mother on the case to received her dental hygiene certification (which Sarah referred her to) and is also helping prepare the mother for her future career (with other programs that Sarah also referred her to).  Even the Magistrate was excited to celebrate our awesome volunteer and the case dismissal when she quickly passed this note along after the hearing:

The “mom on [this] case just credited her CASA, Ms. Wood, and the entire CASA program  for her case being dismissed today… She was given full allocation of [Parental Responsibility] today.   Mom says that she has not been able to smile in five years, but now she can, thanks to CASA!”

We could not have said it any better ourselves – Sarah makes us all smile brighter, too!  

We are honored to have Sarah in our program and are grateful to her employer, Northwestern Mutual,  (where she has been employed for over 20 years) for allowing her time away form work over the past year to volunteer with us and help this struggling family reunite and continue on their wonderful journey together.   

Sarah on vacation with her family.

We’re lucky to be able to add Sarah to our long list of amazing and life-changing CASA volunteers!  Thanks for all that you have done for so many people, Sarah, and we know that your list of those you help will just keep getting longer!

Through the Eyes of Youth

Check out these videos, they tell amazing stories.
 
National CASA recently provided six former foster youth with expert training in telling stories through video. Then each of the youth was given a high-definition camera and an assignment: produce a video documenting your personal story. 

Watch four of the videos at: 

Foster Youth Stories

Reposted from Child Advocacy Matters, July 2011

Mark your Calendars for Colorado Gives Day 2011

Advocates for Children is excited to be participating in Colorado Gives Day 2011!! 

We ask that you mark your calendars now, for December 6, 2011 to "Give where you Live."  All you have to do on that date, is go to our website, www.adv4children.org, and click any "Donate Now" button.  All donations given to Advocates for Children on December 6, 2011 will be matched by a First Bank incentive fund.  

Click here to read a Press Release for Colorado Gives Day 2011 from the Community First Foundation.

955 CASA Programs Make a Difference

In 2010, CASA Programs around the country made a major impact in our communities and with the lives of children in need. Click the link below to learn more.
 

2010 National CASA Survey

Making a Lasting Difference - Podcast

In this podcast, foster care alumna Lauren Mueller describes how her relationship with her CASA volunteer advocate, Stephanie, changed the way she looked at herself and, ultimately, gave her the motivation and confidence to pursue her goals and dreams. This audio presentation is from the closing session of the 2011 National CASA conference in Chicago, IL.

Click Here