December 2020: News, Updates, and Opportunities for CASA Volunteers

 

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear CASA Volunteers,

Happy Holidays! I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying old traditions while making new memories this year.

There is much to report on as CASA rounds out the year. First and foremost, active volunteers should have received an email earlier this month about a Mandatory Sexual Abuse Awareness Training. This is a new requirement from our insurance carrier and I cannot stress enough how important it is for all volunteers to complete this training by Jan. 31. If you have any questions or if this training triggers any past trauma for you, please reach out to your Case Supervisor or Volunteer Coordinator to address your concerns.

Secondly, I cannot believe it has been almost an entire year since we all gathered but our second Annual CASA-Wide Volunteer Impact Event is just around the corner. It will take place over Zoom on Feb 22 and I hope to see many of your faces there. Mark your calendar and see the event information here.

As a reminder, a few changes have been made to CASA's COVID-19 protocol due to El Paso County being at level red. You should have also received an email about this last month but can read all of the information on our COVID-19 webpage here.

Our next Volunteer Information Session is scheduled for Jan. 11 and we encourage you to invite anyone who may be interested in changing a child's life!

Thank you for everything you have done for children in our community this year! Your resolve and commitment through this difficult time has been nothing short of amazing and I am so grateful for each and every one of you. As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns you may have. Enjoy the holiday season and I look forward to connecting with you all in 2021!

Warmly,

Angela

 

Last Chance for Santa's Shop

Last chance to sign up to shop for the youth on your case! Santa’s Shop closes Friday, December 18th, at 12:30. Click the button below to sign up for a shopping time. If you requested a gift/gift card for your teens, please pick up by Friday at 4pm at The Hanger entrance.

 

Spotlight: Amanda Raslowsky

Volunteers in CASA's SEPT Program ensure that children can maintain healthy relationships with their non-custodial parents. Amanda Raslowsky says she loves this volunteer work because “I hope to make children’s time here the best as possible and help get families reconnected.”

 

Ten New Advocates Sworn In

Ten community volunteers were sworn in as officers of the court by El Paso County Magistrate Dennis McGuire during a CASA of the Pikes Peak Region swearing-in ceremony over Zoom on November 19.

 

Ten Advocates Closed Cases in Nov!

Congratulations to advocates who closed cases last month: Angie Angus, Jackie De’Anda, Lee Ehrhart, Robert Ford, Shannon French, Christine McElhaney, Mary Moffett, Renee Olmstead, and Susan Varnier! CASA is always looking for cases that can illustrate the impact CASA has in the community. If you have a closed case that you think might make a good story, please email Keri. 

 

Milton Foster Children's Fund News

Do you have a 9th-12th grader on your case? Contact jillc@casappr.org to get free professional help preparing for college, community college, technical schools, etc. It isn’t too early to start preparing for their future or too late to apply to college for the fall!

 

December 2020 Anniversaries

This December, we are celebrating 18 volunteer anniversaries in our Advocacy, Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time, Life Long Links, and Milton Foster Children's Fund Program. Thanks so much to these kind folks for giving their time to the children of the Pikes Peak Region!

 

Inclusion Corner:21-Day Challenge

Coming soon, CASA volunteers will be invited to participate in an optional 21-Day Equity Challenge. Participants will spend time each of the 21 days developing awareness of inequities that happen across our country every day. The daily activities consist of reading, short videos, or things to intentionally notice when you’re out and about. More info and a sign-up link will be distributed in January, so stay on the look-out for it!

 

Upcoming Events

1/11: Virtual Volunteer Information Session
1/26: Minimum Sufficient Level of Care In-Service
2/22: Annual CASA-wide Volunteer Impact Event

 

CASA to benefit from Clara's "Share the Merry" Campaign this month

Here at CASA, we feel pretty lucky to have Vanguard Skin Specialists and its medical-grade skin care line, Clara, as partners. We are thrilled to be one of two beneficiaries of Clara's "Share the Merry" campaign this month. 100% of Clara's profits or 20% of their retail sales (whichever is greater) will be donated this month so please consider ShopClara.com this holiday season.

 

Visit Zoo Crew Lights!

Get into the holiday spirit by visiting Zoo Crew Lights! Houses around El Paso County have decorated their yards and set the light displays to music. It is free to view the houses but donations are collected and 100% of the proceeds support CASA of the Pikes Peak Region.

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region
418 S. Weber Street,  | Colorado Springs, Colorado  80903
719-447-9898 | kerik@casappr.org

Follow Us

Unsubscribe