Joy Dannelly recognized at annual United Way luncheon

On April 20, Joy Dannelly was recognized as an Outstanding Volunteer during the Columbus Area United Way's annual luncheon. Joy has been a volunteer advocate with CASA Connection since 2018. Joy is advocating for her second child and has done an outstanding job doing so. She has gone above and beyond to see that the young man is receiving all services and things he needs. She has formed a very trusting and caring bond with him and his foster mother through her perseverance and kindness. We are so grateful Joy stepped up to become a volunteer with CASA Connection. 

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week

This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week. At CASA Connection we believe that we have the best group of volunteers. Whether they donate their time to our organization as board members, advocates or both, these community members generously give their time to our program. We are so lucky that they have chosen CASA Connection to do that. These volunteers are devoted to improving the lives of juveniles in foster care.

CASA Connection provides all training needed to become a CASA advocate. These trainings are done working around the volunteer's schedule. To become a volunteer with CASA you must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check and complete an application and training. To learn more about how YOU could become a member of our group of volunteers please give our office a call at 402-563-4944 or email Lisa Rosendahl at casacoord@gmail.com. Volunteers are needed in Colfax and Platte counties.

CASA Connection welcomes a new volunteer advocate

Please help us welcome Michele Monroe-Clark to our CASA team. Michele was sworn-in by Hon. Andrew R. Lange, Colfax county. A recent Nebraska transplant, Michele is Pastor of New Zion Presbyterian Church in Clarkson. Thank you Michele for successfully completing training and for being a child's voice in court.

This is the first CASA Connection volunteer Judge Lange has sworn in for Colfax county since he was appointed to the 5th Judicial District We are hopeful that there will be many more adults willing to step up, volunteer and be a voice for a child in foster care.

If you or someone you know would be interested in more information about becoming a volunteer advocate with CASA Connection please call our office: 402-563-4944 or email Lisa Rosendahl: casacoord@gmail.com

Thank you Trinity Lutheran Church

Thank you so much to the members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. Your very generous donation is greatly appreciated by all of us at CASA Connection. 

Giving Tuesday: Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday will be here before we know it! (November. 29th) This year Thrivent has partnered with Nebraska CASA to help out all of our local programs. For every $2 donated on Nov. 29th, Thrivent will match $1! What a great way to increase your donation. So how does it work? You can send in a check (Dated Nov. 29th and made out to Nebraska CASA Association) or stop by our office at 1465 27th Ave. on Nov. 29th and drop off the donation. All donations will go to Nebraska CASA and then returned to the local program plus the match!

Also, we will be having some special snacks throughout the day to Thank You for your donation. Our office will be open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. that day to fit your schedules. Please stop in and learn about CASA, make a donation or just to say Hello and grab a treat! We look forward to seeing you all!

Executive Director, Susie Jarecki, holds a donation check from Thrivent. Thank you to everyone who made donations through the Thrivent program. 

Thrivent Care Packs for Kids during the month of October

CASA Connection Swears in New Volunteer

Congratulations to Cheryl Noonan, CASA Connection's newest volunteer advocate.
Cheryl was sworn in today by the Honorable Denise Kracl, Platte county judge. Cheryl is now ready to advocate for the children in our community who deserve a big-hearted adult willing to be their voice in the juvenile court system. Please welcome her into the CASA family. This was also Judge Kracl's FIRST time swearing in new advocates for CASA and she hopes to be able to have that opportunity MANY times in the future.

 

2022 Columbus Days "I'm a Little Cutie" baby contest winners

Winners of the 2022 Columbus Days "I'm a Little Cutie" Baby Contest Announced:
The annual "I'm a Little Cutie" baby contest fundraiser was held during Columbus Days recently.

The winners in each age group are: 

0-6 months: 
First Place: Agustin Santiago Palma
2nd Place: Brecken Lehr
3rd Place: Amelia McCollum

7-12 months:
First Place: Memphis Napier
2nd Place: Maliha Hernandez
3rd Place: Nicole Nevirah Wood

13-18 months:
First Place: Stetson Avina
2nd Place: Will McCloskey
3rd Place: Rocky McPhillips

CASA Connection Welcomes First New Volunteers From Nance County

On July 22, 2022 Clerk Magistrate of Nance County, Shirley Stuart Monroe performed the swearing-in ceremony of the very first CASA volunteers in Nance County. Joining our CASA family are: (Right to left) Kimberly Olsufka; Annette Swantek and Barb Howser. These ladies stepped up to the plate to become advocates for the abused and neglected children in Nance County.

WELCOME!!!

Leadership Columbus class of 2021/2022 includes CASA Connection volunteers and staff member

Congratulations to the 30th graduating class of Leadership Columbus as they go on to be future leaders of our community! Lisa Rosendahl, Outreach Coordinator for CASA Connection was a member of this class as well as CASA Connection volunteers Karmen Thompson and Keith Luedders. This is a wonderful way for class members to get involved in our community. 

Thank You CASA Connection Volunteers

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation month Susie & Lisa want to send a huge thank you to all of our awesome volunteer advocates & our board members! We think we have some of the BEST volunteers in our community. You give your hearts and your time into making sure that the children we serve have a voice in the courtroom.

You strive towards making a difference.
Thank you for being so selfless with us and for so many in whose lives you make a tangible difference.

CASA Connection wants to welcome Tim Sky to our awesome group of volunteers! Tim completed 30 hours of pre-service training and was sworn in today by the Honorable Frank Skorupa of Platte county.
Thank you Tim for stepping up to be a voice for children in the foster care system. Welcome to the team!

Go Blue for Child Abuse Day 2022

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month!!!
Help raise awareness for child abuse prevention.
WEAR BLUE ON APRIL 8th, 2022 for child abuse prevention.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT A CHILD!

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected CALL the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-652-1999
 

Ladies Night Out March 17

Ladies: Beyoutiful Boutique in downtown Columbus is having LADIES NIGHT, all day, on March 17 from 11:00 am to 8 pm!! CASA Connection will be the featured that day.
Everyone is lucky when they get to shop all the boutique's fun merchandise!

#shoplocal Beyoutiful Boutique And Gifts #ladiesnightout

National CASA/GAL Association for Children’s nationwide Walk Run Thrive

On April 30-May 1, 2022, join CASA Connection  in the National CASA/GAL Association for Children’s nationwide Walk Run Thrive to raise awareness for the important work of CASA programs and volunteers.

Through this virtual event, participants can walk or run wherever they are and at their own pace while sharing their support for our mission. Interested individuals should register through the National CASA/GAL website to receive a signature event t-shirt and be part of our nationwide movement: https://nationalcasagal.org/walk-run-thrive/

This is a great way for CASA and GAL supporters nationwide to show their support for the work we do serving children and families. 

CASA Connection expands to Nance County

CASA Connection, the local Court Appointed Special Advocate program advocating for Foster children in Platte and Colfax County is now expanding into Nance County.

CASA Connection is a non-profit agency that recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers who advocate in the best interest of abused and neglected children. These children are in court through no fault of their own. They have been placed into the state’s custody and into the foster care system.

Susie Jarecki, the program’s Executive Director stated, “We are fortunate to have dedicated volunteers who provide advocacy to children who deserve someone in their corner. It is important to us to ensure all children who need an advocate, have one.”

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are well-trained and speak in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are appointed to a case by the judge. The volunteer's goal is to provide a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. Each home placement case is as unique as the child involved. 

The CASA volunteer researches the child's best interests to stay with his or her parents or guardians, remain in foster care, or permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes a recommendation on placement and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved. CASA volunteers are often the only stable factor in an often frightening and difficult ordeal for a child. 

Nebraska has more than 3,000 children each year who are taken from their homes and placed with someone else, often a family they do not know. These children negotiate a new home, new school, and attend courtroom hearings with a revolving door of adults; all while coping with the trauma of abuse and neglect.

These children deserve and need someone in their corner to make sure their voices and wishes  are heard, and their needs are met.

To find out more about CASA Connection please visit our website at casaconnectionne.com or give us a call at 402.563.4944. 

Grace Jewelry Early Bird Christmas Preview event November 1st-5th

New CASA Connection volunteer sworn in

Congratulations to Terri Lab-CASA Connection's newest volunteer advocate
On September 30, the Honorable Frank J. Skorupa swore in CASA Connection's newest volunteer advocate, Terri Lab of Columbus. Terri recently completed the CASA program pre-service training in order to advocate for children in our community. Along with being officially sworn in Terri has already accepted her first case to advocate for. We are grateful that she has chosen to volunteer her time advocating for these children. Thank you Terri. If you know Terri please congratulate her and welcome her to the CASA family. 

Chalk It Up For CASA winners announced. Congratulations Claire Renner of Columbus for being the Grand Prize Winner in the Nebraska State CASA Association's Chalk It Up For CASA chalk art competition!!!

CASA Connection welcomes a new volunteer!! Congratulations to Keith Luedders who was sworn in April 15 by the Honorable Frank Skorupa, Platte County juvenile court judge. Keith is ready to advocate for the children in our community who deserve big hearted adults willing to be their voice in the juvenile court system. In fact he has already jumped in with both feet and has accepted his first case to advocate for! Please welcome them into the CASA family.

 

Congratulations Claire Renner of Columbus for being the Grand Prize Winner in the Nebraska State CASA Association's Chalk It Up For CASA chalk art competition!!!

The CASA Connection Summer 2022 Newsletter is available at 
https://casaconnectionne.com/file_download/inline/1a3ca71d-51be-4558-a8c3-4fb7f222484d