Louisiana CASA and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center are Awarded Grants by Winn-Dixie Foundation  

On July 29, 2009, The Winn-Dixie Foundation held a press conference to award Louisiana CASA and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center grants for $10,000 each in a Winn-Dixie in Prairieville. Below are pictures from the event. You can click on each image to enlarge.   

      

  

  

CASA has been Nominated for Encore Louisiana’s Top 50 for 50+ Initiative
  

  

On October 1 2009, the Office of Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and the Encore Louisiana Commission unveiled Encore Louisiana magazine, EncoreLouisiana.com, and The Top 50 for 50+ initiative at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  This magazine and its website contain a wealth of information on communities, attractions, and activities for the 50 and above age group.  The Top 50 for 50+ initiative is Encore Louisiana’s first annual program celebrating the best of the best – places and programs that make life in Louisiana at 50+ so unique and fulfilling.  

With over 800 applications submitted, CASA statewide was selected as one of 200 nominees across 10 categories for Best Volunteer Opportunities.  Of the 200 nominees, 50 will be selected to be the Top 50 for 50+ through an online survey. Voting begins October 1st and ends November 15th and the winners will be announced in December. Top winners in each category will be promoted in magazines, online and other media sources. This is a great opportunity to spread the awareness of CASA programs in our communities.  

You can help CASA by clicking this link, http://www.encorelouisiana.com/top-50/, registering, and voting.  The survey should take ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Anyone may take this survey, but only the surveys of individuals 50+ will be counted.   

As an added incentive, Ten lucky individuals (50+) will win a Louisiana travel package worth up to $500, and all you need to do is register and take the survey.  

Remember to vote for CASA in the category of Best Volunteer Opportunity to help promote awareness of CASA.  

NELA CASA Standing up for Children  

Below is an scanned copy of NELA CASA’s article in the Ouachita Citizen. The event that covered is  “Stand Up for a Child So They Can Stand a Chance” NELA CASA staff and volunteers stood among 200 cardboard cutouts of children from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The goal of the event was to spread awareness about the children in the community who need someone to stand up for them.  

NELA CASA in the Ouachita Citizen  

  

CASA volunteers devoted to children

This is a sample from the article. The full article can be read here  

HAMMOND — Since becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate more than eight months ago, Susan Norris has made it her mission to speak up for abused and neglected children.  

As a mother of four, Norris said she believes it’s her duty to help those who can’t help themselves.  

Norris became a volunteer after reading a local newspaper article asking for people in the community to step up to the challenge for Child Advocacy Services.  

Child Advocacy Services is a private, nonprofit umbrella agency that provides services through the CASA program, Children’s Advocacy Center program, and other services supporting their mission to give voice, healing and security to children.  

According to http://www.childadv.net, Child Advocacy Services offers advocacy and clinical services for children and families in 10 southeastern Louisiana parishes including Ascension, Assumption, East and West Feliciana, Livingston, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John and Tangipahoa parishes.  

CASA recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who serve as powerful voices for abused and neglected children as they navigate through the court system. CASA volunteers are community members appointed by a judge to advocate, on a one-on-one basis, for children in need of care.  

CASA volunteers also report to the judge and others in the child welfare system on the child’s behalf with the primary goal of helping them reach a safe and permanent home.  

Currently, the agency has more than 40 active volunteers assigned to cases, but it’s not enough to meet the demand for CASA services, officials said.  

Child Advocacy Services’ goal is to have a volunteer on every case.  

Since becoming a volunteer, Norris has worked on two cases, one involving ages 6-8 years olds, and another involving a 16 year old.  

“The first time I got the case, I cried,” Norris said. “The second time I read it, I cried. On the visit, I cried.”  

However difficult, Norris said she believes it is her job to make sure the children are safe.  

“At the end of the day, that’s what matters,” Norris said.  

  

Below is an article found in the Newsstar.com here:  

CASA searches for advocates

To meet the demand for child advocates in our area, CASA of Northeast Louisiana is searching for community members to speak up for abused and neglected children.  

Each year, thousands of children in Louisiana are victims of child abuse, neglect or abandonment. By volunteering as an advocate with CASA you become the voice of a child who is desperate to speak out.  

Advocates become the eyes and ears of the court, providing important information about a child in need so that the best possible home for that child can be found.  

Advocates with CASA are trained by CASA’s friendly and professional staff so that an Advocate is prepared for any and all situations involving a child who has suffered from abuse or neglect.  

If you are interested in joining the efforts of securing a safe and permanent home for every child in northeast Louisiana, join the next Advocate Training Class beginning 6 p.m. June 11. Call Anna Thomas at 398-0945 or visit www.cfcfnela.org.  

  

  

On May 21st, LACASA held our first Forgotten Children Event at the Capitol. It was tremendous success. The Senate Side of the rountda had 175 cardboard cut out children! This represented how many children enter foster care in the state of Louisiana each month. It garnered lots of inquiries.  

The press conference was just as moving. Kim Lundy, a former foster child, gave an uplifting speech on hope and the role that CASA has played in her efforts to succeed. She also presented Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball with her 2008 Louisiana CASA Judge of the Year Award. Thereafter, Chief Justice Kimball pledged her contiunal support for the efforts of CASA through out the state of Louisiana.  

  

Thanks to all CASA staff and volunteers who made the drive to participate in the event. Without your continual support and dedication these endeavors would not be as successful.