Newsletter 4

CASA of Southwestern Illinois
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“Madison County Volunteers become “Voices” for Children”
Our Mission
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CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocate) of Southwestern Illinois advocates for the best interest
(safe nurturing home, and timely
resolution) for abused and negected
children by recruiting, training and
supporting volunteers to function
as a voice in juvenile court systems
at St. Clair, Monroe and Madison
During the past (5) months, CASA of Southwestern Illinois has
worked diligently in planning the implementation of CASA services in Madison County. In October 2011, Casa of Southwestern Illinois launched a major recruitment campaign in Madison
County with the goal of identifying, recruiting and training
potential voices for Madison’s abused and neglected children.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SANDY WAGNER - PRESIDENT
DARLENE ROY - VICE PRESIDENT
The Edwardsville Intelligencer and Alton Telegraph Newspapers
JOHNNY CAMPBELL - TREASURER
published feature volunteer stories - What was it like to become
CAROL BEEMAN - SECRETARY
a CASA Volunteer…..What was it like to be that special voice
for a vulnerable group of children. The telephones started ringLINDA COWDEN
ing…..and ringing……. and ringing…..and ringing. CASA of
TONYA GENOVESE
Southwestern Illinois screened over (75) potential volunteer adANN HATCH
vocates. Over (55) potential volunteers began training courses;
CLARA JACOBS
(50) Volunteer completed training.
DENISE JOHNSON
CATHERINE LAMBERG
On December 9th 2011, at Riverbend Family Ministries in Wood
KATIE NELSON
River, IL, the Honorable Judge Janet Heflin, Juvenile Court
JUDITH NELSON
of Madison County swore in (50) volunteers to serve as CASA
MARLEEN MENENDEZ SUAREZ
Volunteer Advocates for abused and neglected children. These
advocates will service as that special voice for the children.
GARY TRENTMAN
MECHIKO WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As of January 2012, CASA Services will be available to courts
and children of Madison County. Lastly, …..DO SOMETHING
SPECIAL! BECOME A VOICE FOR CHILDREN! BECOME
A CASA VOLUNTEER!
Proud Member
Welcome New CASA Volunteers Completed Training
Mary Albee , Godfrey, IL
Dianne Allen, Belleville, IL
Vernice Allen, East Alton, IL
Kim Barker, Collinsville, IL
Ray Bonney, Edwardsville, IL
Amy Burchett, Edwardsville, IL
Jenna Cochran, Alton, IL
Mary Cope, Wood River, IL
Jessica Deaver, Glen Carbon, IL
Gloria Doolen, East Alton, IL
April Dunn, East St. Louis, IL
Allen Gaines, Wood River, IL
Benjamin Golley, Godfrey, IL
Carol Hall, Alton, IL
Joyce Herman, Millstadt, IL
Barbara Hinson, Alton, IL
Trish Houseman, Eldred, IL
Angela Hutchinson, Belleville, IL
Crystal Guffin, East St. Louis, IL
Tonya Jackson, Alton, IL
Rita Jenkins, Edwardsville, IL
Sarah Adler, Alton, IL
Mary Kane, Edwardsville, IL
Janet Keffer, Alton, IL
Ida Lacy, Edwardsville, IL
Marian Leitner, Edwardsville, IL
Cheryl Majuire, Wood River, IL
Neeta McClintock, Godfrey, IL
Penny McCormick, Alton, IL
Rose Miller, Glen Carbon, IL
Katelyn Pohlman, Jerseyville, IL
Mary Roberts, Wood River, IL
Sarah Rushing, Cottage Hill, IL
Kareb Sieron, Belleville, IL
Toni Stanford, Wood River, IL
Martha Steiner, Alton, IL
Dodie Taylor, Alton, IL
Nancy Taylor, Hartford, IL
Richard Trolard, Fairview Heights, IL
David Valley, Edwardsville, IL
Vicki Valley, Edwardsville, IL
Joyce Ward, Godfrey, IL
Christina Willeford, Hartford, IL
Pam Winters, Alton, IL
Stefnee Wilson, Alton, IL
CASA Volunteers' Leaps and Challenges!
During the day, Kathy works as a German teacher at O’Fallon High School. This may be why she makes such
an excellent volunteer for our teenagers.
Bobbi Ambrosino is one of many who really puts her heart into what she does for CASA. She is always on top
of what is going on with her cases and really goes above and beyond what is expected of her. She is amazing
with her respect and dedication toward the program and the children she advocates for.
Stacy Taylor has been a CASA with us for over a year now. She was assigned to a case where the mother can
be very challenging and uncooperative. However, she continues to sucessfully advocate for the children.
Back in November, DCFS was prepared to close the case unaware that the mother was facing a possible eviction. Due to the information that the CASA provided both verbally and in her report, the Judge took a second
look at the situation and decided it would not be in the children’s best interest to discharge at that time, since it
was unclear on mom’s housing situation.
The children were placed in a foster home with a relative, but after a few weeks, the relative shared with the
CASA that she was not recieving any assistance from the state, at that point, as the funds had not become available. Stacy contacted various food pantry’s and went out personally and assisted her with food and directed her
on where else she could possibly obtain assitance. The Judge wanted staff to express to Ms. Taylor how much
her input into the case was valued and greatly appreciated.
Great Job, Stacy!
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Kathy Ashby Ontiveros has been an advocate since January, 2009. She was appointed to two brothers, ages
13 & 14, who have been in care since 2005. Kathy spends quality time with the boys and knows them well.
Last year she took on the extra responsibility of a sixteen year old girl with behavioral problems. This child
had been passed around from relative to relative until being placed in a Children’s Home in Peoria. Kathy was
the one constant in her life. She called the residential regularly talking to the girl and also her teacher’s and
counselor’s requesting progress reports. Last summer the courts allowed the child to go and live with her greatgrandparents in Ava, Illinois. Kathy even made a trip there to visit the home so she could report to the court
that this was an appropriate placement. Kathy is still in contact with the family.
“Voices for the Children in 2011”
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CASA Contributor Spotlight
CASA would also like to thank Ms. Arlene Burns with Camber Corporation for taking the lead within
her company to ensure that both of her offices located on Scott AFB, and in O’Fallon, IL were able to
participate in the holiday gift drive for our children. Thank you to Camber Corporation and all of their
employees for having such big hearts during the holiday season.
A special thanks goes out to: Rose Baird, Doris Barren, Sylvia Barren, Lyvonne Ditto, Neena Flowers,
Jacqueline Freeman, Tamara Goodman, Cheryl Gray, Richard Hester, Donna Johnson, Michelle, David,
and Sara Jones, Mr & Mrs William Jones, Alfred Lewis, Shannon Lewis, Timothy McFall, Elicia Newman, Theresa Peters, Michael & Michelle Rousseau, June Tranker, Calvin & Karen White, and Yolanda
Wilkes. These individuals and their families heard there was a need in our community to sponsor children for the holiday, and they all jumped at the opportunity to give back. We thank each and everyone of
you for having such a giving and generous heart.
We appreciate the support these past two years from the Doctors and staff from the Center for Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, in Belleville, IL. Thank you Dr. Italia, Dr. Greiner, Dr. Johnston, Dr.
Meyer, Dr. Wadsworth and their staff Michelle, Peggy, Sara, Stephanie, and Thea.
Nelson and Nelson Attorneys at Law, we thank you for your continuous support and donations over the
years. We are grateful to all of your staff, for all they have done, especially giving to our children.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the staff of: Mathis Marifian & Richter Ltd, and the O’Fallon Family Medicine Urgent Care office for their large toy donations.
CASA would like to thank the Carrington Place, who came together and sponsored a family of 10 during
the holidays. Your donations will truly help the family to start building memories that will last for years
to come.
Without all of your support, we would not have been able to make this happen for all of our children!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you...
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CASA of Southwestern Illinois would like to thank Scott Air Force Base / HQ AMC / A1, A3, A5, A8,
for their outstanding efforts to ensure that the children in the St. Clair, and Monroe counties had an outstanding holiday what will never be forgotten. We thank you for your continuous support over the years,
and we look forward to working with you in the future. Special thanks to Back Row: SMSgt Craig Eyre,
MSgt Nathan Gershon, Sonia Shelby, SMSgt Shannon Midgette, & Sandra Todoroff. Front Row: Frazier
Simmons, Mary Murphy, Lt Shari Smith, & Esther Pruit. Ms. Sonia Shelby has been the POC for the
2010/2011 Holiday Seasons.
CASA GIVES SPECIAL THANKS TO THE
DILIGENT COMMITTEE PARTICIPANTS
FOR THE TRI COUNTY CASA RUN!!!!!!!
CASA of Southwestern Illinois
Recognized
Mission
United Methodist Christ
Illinois Great Rivers Conference
Advance Special #6045
Adopt our Mission
REGISTER!!!!!!!!!
Tri County CASA Superhero Run
Location: Wood River, Belleville, Waterloo
See Registration Sheet
Complete Stub and return it in CASA envelope.....
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Purchase Helium Balloon Ride For two
$10.00 To support CASA of Southwestern Illinois
CASA of Southwestern Illinois
1801 North Belt West
Belleville, Illinois 62226
Proud Member
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