“This year, we celebrate Jim Merlo as the anchor of CASA—he has for so long helped CASA pursue its mission of ensuring that through all the uncertainties, an abused or neglected child’s voice is heard. The need for volunteers, donors, and supporters is critical in making this a reality. But we could not do what we do without the knowledge, talent and commitment of Jim Merlo.”
Read More“I find work as an advocate very rewarding in that you can make a difference in a child’s life,” Clare said. “There is always something new, and even though the going can be tough with some cases, the CASA volunteer who sticks with it is often the only constant in a child’s life.”
Read MoreWhen asked what she’d say to others interested in being involved with CASA, Leonora stated, “When you have an opportunity to make an impact from behind the scenes and bring awareness to others [about CASA], you can’t help but to be part of that.”
Read More“Paul is amazing—a positive male role model for this child—he has shown this child that someone cares by listening and being attentive. More remarkable, Paul did this as a new volunteer using only virtual connections due to the pandemic.”
Read More“In that first call, a connection was made, and it did not matter that Janet and the child had never met face-to-face. Janet’s warmth, kindness and professionalism came through strong and clear. She proved we can do our jobs virtually if we continue to show how much we care about these children who need us so desperately.”
Read More“Mona is one of the most loving, most giving people I know. She is very smart, very caring and very upfront—you never have to worry about what Mona’s thinking. She cares deeply about the children she advocates for. There’s nothing she would not do to help them”
Read MoreCASA of St. Louis Board of Directors today named Jennifer V. Howard as its Chief Executive Officer and Cheryl Latham as Chief Program Officer.
CASA directors also announced the promotion of Shamele L. Hill as Director of Training and Volunteer Development and the staff additions of Ashley Bonner as Volunteer Engagement Specialist and Alecia Watts as Training Specialist. All three will be dedicated to volunteer recruitment and training at CASA.
Read MoreCASA of St. Louis CEO Jennifer V. Howard today announced recently elected members of the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. “These talented business and community leaders bring strong legal, financial and non-profit management expertise and experience to CASA,” said Howard. “They will be involved in a range of areas from program development to fundraising, finances and governance, and with the existing 8 board members will help us fulfil our mission to provide critical support and advocacy to children in foster care in the St. Louis City and County Circuit Courts.”
Read More“We have worked to build good rapport with this young man; we endeavored to show him that he could trust us and to show him his worth. We did not make any promises, but assured him that we had his best interest at heart and would do all we could to help him. This young man needed to know someone was there for him. He has really bloomed in the past two years. He is in a good place now, it’s a therapeutic home, and there are resources available to assist him in becoming a viable citizen,” - Albert Manson
Read MoreMeet Megan Ondr-Cooper, CASA of St. Louis’ Manager of Analysis and Outcomes. Megan has had a busy year! She wrote a blog series on Excel for The IllumiLab blog, served as a guest panelist for Washington University’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Program Evaluation, is the leader for a new National CASA Association sub-committee for developing outcome measures, and was elected to the board of the Evaluation Association of St. Louis.
Megan took some time to answer a few questions about her work!
Read MoreMeet our newest class of CASA volunteers! On July 12, we happily welcomed 10 new Court Appointed Special Advocates to the CASA team. The Honorable Steven R. Ohmer, St. Louis City Family Court administrative judge, performed the swearing in and spoke to the importance and value of the CASA work.
Read MoreChildren and youth in foster care often have most of their decisions made for them. Where they live. Where they go to school. If and when they will see their family. Imagine having little to no control over the most basic aspects of your life. Naturally, it can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and disheartening to feel like no decision is your own. It can quickly feel as if things are spiraling out of control.
Read MoreEach June Pride Month events are held throughout the United States to celebrate the progress the LGBTQI community has made as well as acknowledge the challenges still faced to achieve full equality. This celebration occurs in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots. In the early morning of June 28, 1969, a raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay nightclub, sparked several days of riots which ultimately served as the launch of the modern gay rights movement.
Read More“The people…are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor”
General Orders, Number 3, Major General Gordon Granger
June 19, 1865
Read MoreThe month of June recognizes the efforts made year round to help keep families together. Foster care is not meant to be forever. Because of the significance and integrity of the family unit along with the importance of maintaining lifelong connections, the primary goal for children when they enter foster care is to be reunified with their biological family. In fact, this is also the most common outcome. The connection with family not only provides children contact with their household unit but also the cultural, social, community, and religious networks and settings with which they are familiar.
Read MoreThe first graduating class since our name change from Voices for Children, CASA of St. Louis (STLCASA) is thrilled to announce the swearing-in of 15 new child advocates. On Tuesday, April 30th surrounded by their family, friends, and STLCASA Staff, 15 new volunteers became Court Appointed Special Advocates officially answering the call to speak for children in foster care.
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