CASA Spotlight: Julie King

Name: Julie Kreutz King
Age: 38
Hometown: Centennial, CO
Occupation: Child Therapist, currently a Stay At Home Mom
An adjective that describes you: Giving
When did you first become involved with CASA Advocates for Children? February 2008
What is your favorite part of volunteering with CASA Advocates for Children? Giving time to children that are in need of a stable and safe adult. I believe that children who have been removed from their homes, for whatever reason, need a person present in their lives to focus on just them.
What has your work with CASA Advocates for Children taught you that you didn’t know before? The court process is long and drawn out. Although the goal for permanancy is one year, there are a lot of legal glitches and continuances that make it seem a lot longer. My thought is that if I am feeling the confusion and frustration by the process, it is only a portion of what the children are feeling.
What is something that you would want potential donors or volunteers to know about CASA Advocates for Children? Smiles are what it is all about! It can be as easy as taking your CASA kiddo out for ice cream. To you, it might be a simple act, but to them it is time and a treat, spent with a special friend.

Help us help you--TAKE OUR SURVEY

Please take our survey about Advocates for Children "Volunteer Appreciation and Support" at the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=C_2f_2fYY0zZbsmKPn1BHse2_2fg_3d_3d
This is multiple choice, with the opportunity to share more if you'd like to. Should take no more than 4-5 minutes.
The survey will only be open for a few weeks, so please do it right now!
Thank you so much for your help!

How did Colorado do?

How well does Colorado serve children with special needs (as designated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)? Not so good, read more here.

Another Swearing In: 11/18/08 in Castle Rock

Here are the Elbert County volunteers--new volunteers Michelle Oeser and Sally Strates--with Peg Rudden, Executive Director and PattyAnn Maher, Program Manager of Elbert County, with the Honorable Judge Jeffrey Holmes of Elbert County.

Sally and Michelle did a "Hybrid version" of CASA Training, and were able to attend sessions in Aurora at our main office, as well as have on-site training at our satellite office in Elizabeth, Colorado. If you know of someone in the community who is interested in training, give our office a call at 303-695-1882--our next training opportunities are coming up February 2009.

A book of interest for our kiddos!

New Book Helps Foster Children Manage the Questions and Comments of Others

BURTONSVILLE, Md., Nov 19, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- W.I.S.E. Up! Empowers Children with Positive Choices
The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is pleased to announce the launch of its newest publication, the W.I.S.E. Up! Powerbook for Children in Foster Care. Based on the nationally acclaimed program for adopted children, the book offers a simple, easy-to-remember solution for managing their complex feelings (sadness, fear, frustration, anger, loss and grief) while responding to the questions, comments and curiosities of others. Read the entire article

CASA Spotlight: Art Castro

Age: 73 years old

Hometown: Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Havana, Cuba

An adjective that describes you: Caring for the welfare of children

When did you first become involved with CASA Advocates for Children? Trained in Spring 2004, started my first case that Summer.

What is/was your favorite part of volunteering with CASA Advocates for Children? The joy of seeing a child's face light up when you are able to get him/her to spend time with siblings and family that they would not have access to otherwise. And knowing that you have made a difference in the outcome in a case whereby you have enabled a better future for the child.

What has your work with CASA Advocates for Children taught you that you didn’t know before? That there is a great payback and satisfaction when you know you made a difference, for the better, in the future life of a child in distress.

What is something that you would want potential donors or volunteers to know about CASA Advocates for Children? You are not alone! Your CASA Case Coordinator is a great asset that helps makes your work easier. I have been blessed with very supporting Case Coordinators.

Swearing in 10/29/08

Here are photos from our most recent swearing in on 10/29/08. There was actually a smaller swearing in on 11/7/08, but since I forgot the battery in my camera, I'll just ask you to visualize a very nice ceremony.

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer? Send them our way--next training begins February 2009.