2010 VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BANQUET

The annual banquet was held on May 12, 2010 at the Riverview Banquet Hall, Pemberville.  This event was held to provide all those who volunteer with the CASA/GAL Program an opportunity to sit back,  relax and "take care of themselves."  Judge Woessner thanked the volunteers for their work for abused and neglected children of Wood County and presented gifts to the volunteer members of the Citizen Review boards.  Commissioner Tim Brown was also present at the event and expressed appreciation for those willing to help the community through volunteerism. A special presentation by one of the teens who receives CASA services was an event highlight. He shared that his CASA/GAL has been present for him, when he felt no one else was and that he continues to listen to him and advocate for him as he continues in very positive foster care placement. He shared his story and the positive impact that his CASA/GAL has had in his life. His speech was powerful and moving.  Program Director Carol Fox shared information about the work of volunteers in 2009 and shared a power point slide show of pictures with music "Are you Listening" to reflect the need of children to have their voices heard.  A number of volunteers also received their first year pin and five year pin and Carol Fox and Sheila Plassman both received a 10 year pin as special recognition for their work and commitment with the CASA/GAL program.

Pictured:                                                                                                                                                                 Below Left- Tim Brown, Exec Dir Juvenile Court, Judge David Woessner, Commissioner Tim Brown

Below Right- Judge Woessner, Sheila Plassman, Program Director Carol Fox, CRB Member Don Gerke

Below Left- Judge Woessner, Carol Fox, David Gemmill (Friends of CASA)

Below Right- Kathy Hicks, Sheila Plassman, Jenn Vanlerberg, Judge Woessner, Bill Hilt (CASA/GAL)         

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS RECIEVED BY FRIENDS OF CASA

Toledo Community Foundation     The Board of Trustees of the Toledo Community Foundation approved a grant in the amount of $1575 for professional development.  The funds enabled the CASA/GAL Program Director to attend the National CASA Conference held April 2010 in Atlanta Georgia.  When attending the conference, the Program Director had an opportunity to talk with many other directors from across the country experiencing similar challenges and successes and share ideas.  Also, many National Speakers were available sharing their knowledge on topics such as Meeting Volunteer needs, improving services to child victims and information  and demonstations about the new software product being released for National CASA to better track statistical and case information.   

The Toledo Community Foundation, Inc. is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our area.  In existance since 1973, the Foundation has over 450 funds with assets of appoximately $138 million. The Foundation provides philanthropic services for individuals, families, businesses and corporations to meet their charitable giving needs. Visit the organization's website at www.toledocf.org for more information.

Bowling Green Community Foundation    The Board of Trustees of the Bowling Green Community Foundation recently approved a grant in the amount of $2500 for volunteer development and the purchase of Public Relations materials.  The funds will enable some of the CASA/GAL volunteers to attend the Ohio CASA Conference which will be held in Columbus this fall. When attending the conference, Volunteers will have the opportunity to talk with other volunteers and program representatives from across the state to share ideas and experiences and to learn about a variety of topics that impact their volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children. In addition, brochures will be printed to help spread the word about the CASA/GAL Program and volunteer opportunities and the services to children as well as materials about the Friends of Wood County CASA.                                                            

Wood County CASA®/GAL Program Receives National Certification Recognizing the Quality of Its Work for Abused and Neglected Children

Judge David Woessner of the Wood County Juvenile Court is proud to announce that the Wood County CASA/GAL Program has been awarded certification on June 9, 2009, by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. This certification recognizes that the Wood County CASA/GAL Program is in compliance with National CASA’s high standards for quality child advocacy.

According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, “The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous, and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf. This certification says Wood County CASA/GAL Program has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community.”

The Wood County CASA/GAL Program was started in 1988. The program currently has 35 community volunteers serving 75 children alleged to be abused, neglected or dependent.   In recognizing this outstanding achievement, Judge Woessner noted:  “We are truly fortunate in Wood County to have dedicated citizens who are willing to help and assist children in need by serving as CASA/GALs in the Wood County Juvenile Court.  The lives of hundreds if not thousands of youth over the years have been touched by this program and its volunteers.”

About the National CASA Association   

In 1976, concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children’s lives without sufficient information, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court, helping to ensure that they will live in a safe and loving environment.  So successful was this Seattle program, that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA/GAL with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today, there are more then 950 National CASA member programs across the country, with more then 70,000 men and women serving as CASA or Guardian ad Litem volunteers.