CASA'S 34TH ANNUAL MEETING · April 2015 The CASA Project, Inc. 100 Grove Street Worcester, MA 01605 Tel: 5087579877 Fax: 5087921542

April 2015

The CASA Project, Inc.100 Grove StreetWorcester, MA 01605Tel: 508­757­9877Fax: 508­792­1542www.CasaWorcesterCounty.org

Grants Awarded to CASA in2014: George I. Alden Trust

Community Foundation of NorthCentral Massachusetts

CASA'S 34TH ANNUAL MEETINGPlease Join Us!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015, 4:30 ­ 6:00 p.m. at the WorcesterTrial Court, Jury Pool Room. See attached for more details.

The Fred Harris Daniels Foundation The Robert & Joan DircksFoundation The Ruth H. and Warren A.Ellsworth Foundation

The Fletcher Foundation

The Jack & PaulineFreeman Foundation

George F. & Sybil H. FullerFoundation

The Greater Worcester CommunityFoundation Hanover Insurance

Hoche­Scofield Foundation

Ludcke Foundation

Massachusetts Bar Foundation

Mildred McEvoy Foundation The MENTOR Network The George H. & Jane MifflinMemorial Fund

Milford National Bank CharitableFoundation

National CASA Association

The George and Alice RichFoundation

Rockwell Foundation

St. Francis Community Healthcare

Southbridge Savings Bank

Annual Meeting Flyer We have been trying to spread the word, but want you to knowhow pleased we will be to see you at our Annual Meeting onWednesday, May 6, 2015. The Annual Meeting gives us a chanceto thank you for all of the fine work that you do for children. And itgives us a chance to show funders and other supporters some ofthe wonderful advocates that work for children­you! We will besharing a few stories of the children that you serve, alwayshoping that everyone better understands the need for CASA inWorcester County. Thank you so much for all that you do!! Our guest and speaker for the meeting will be Judge AmyNechtem, Chief Justice for all of the Juvenile Courts in theCommonwealth. She assumed her position in the summer. Wehear that she is a wonderful judge and understands and supportsthe work that CASA does. We would love for you to meet andgreet her. So hopeful that you can join us on Wednesday, May 6, 2015,5:00pm­­ 4:30pm for refreshments. The WorcesterTrial Court, 225 Main Street, Worcester. Jury Pool Room. Allfriends and family are welcome.

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PLAY GOLF!CASA GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUNE 22, 2015

Stoddard Charitable Trust

TJX Charitable Foundation

United Way of CentralMassachusetts United Way of Southbridge,Sturbridge & Charlton United Way of Webster/Dudley Webster Five Foundation The George Wells Foundation

Our 17th ANNUAL CASA GOLF TOURNAMENT is scheduled forJune 22, 2015 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton,Massachusetts. To meet our annual budget expenses, we do writemany grants throughout the year, seek funding from theCommonwealth and appeal to all of our wonderful donors, but thetournament is our only special event fundraiser. So, be a sponsor,donate a raffle prize, and PLAY GOLF!! Click on the link below toview the Golf Brochure with additional information. Sue Ellen Scrogin, CASA Director

2015 Golf Brochure

***CASA News***

Continuing Education for CASA Volunteers and

Staff Mark your calendars for the 2nd Wednesday of every month at1:00pm Wednesday, May 13, 2015 ­ Kerry Ann Goldsmith, Assistant ExecutiveDirector at Devereaux, will talk with us about a child's life at Devereaux,a non­profit organization that has had a profound and positive effect onthousands of young lives over the past four decades, helpingchildren return to the community and reunite with their families. AS A REMINDER: Unless otherwise noted, please mark your calendars for the 2ndWednesday of every month at 1:00 p.m. at the CASA Office, 4thfloor. Sessions last approximately 60­90 minutes. Beverages and a lightsnack will be provided. No registration is required. Because weather andemergencies can alter these trainings, please call our office to confirm. We're looking forward to seeing you at each training and learningtogether!

Please Spread the Word!Upcoming Volunteer Training Sessions

CASA Office Worcester

May 2015 ­ Afternoon/Evening TrainingTuesdays and Thursdays

9:30 a.m. ­ 1:00 p.m.May 12 & May 14May 19 & May 21May 26 & May 28

Do you know anyone who would make a great CASA/GAL? Please share the above information! For more information, please call Sinead Fitzmaurice at 508­757­9877.

The CASA Project would like to extend a

VERY big thank you to Samantha Morton fromUxbridge for her donation to the Crusadersfor Kids Book drive benefitting the CASA

Court Library for children.

Samantha is a sophomore at Uxbridge High School and amember of the National Honor Society. Her mom, Kelly, becameaware of the book drive through a Holy Cross alum and colleagueat UNUM, who had seen the YouTube video. As her communityservice project for NHS, Samantha decided that she would like tocollect books for the Juvenile Court LIbrary to benefit CASAchildren, created a great (and seasonally appropriate!) poster and

in total collected about 1,200 books.

We are so grateful to Samantha and her Mom for getting us thesebooks which will help to replenish the library so that children whoare at the Courthouse can take a book to read to pass the time,and also bring home to enjoy. Samantha also had the opportunityto meet Crusader Field Hockey player Kathryn Nutting, one of theorganizers of the Holy Cross book drive and is pictured with her.

Our thanks, also, to Kathryn for her wonderful leadership inkeeping our bookshelves filled! We are always in need of new orgently used books for the library so if you would like to make adonation to the library please contact Kris [email protected]. Thanks.

For all of you who use Amazon.com this is a simple and automaticway for you to support your favorite charitable organization. If youindicate, Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to

your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearlyone million organizations to support­ including the CASA Project.

For more information and to get started please visithttp://smile.amazon.com/about

RSVP Worcester Area Volunteers

Need help with gas payments for volunteer work?

RSVP Worcester Area Volunteers is a non­profit organization that is a part of theSenior Corps program and sponsored nationally by the Corporation for Nationaland Community Service (CNCS). Located at the Worcester Senior Center,RSVP is locally sponsored by Family Services of Central Massachusetts. Since1971, RSVP has been connecting people age 55 and over with opportunities thatfocus on compelling needs in the Worcester area. RSVP has more than 500members who serve at over seventy local public and non­profit agencies in thegreater Worcester area, including the CASA Project.In addition to helping match individuals with local volunteer opportunities RSVPalso offers its members the following benefits:

CIMA Accident and Liability InsuranceMileage ReimbursementVolunteer RecognitionMonthly NewsletterTraining Opportunities and Professional Development

To learn more about enrollment in the RSVP program please call (508) 791­RSVP or email [email protected]

CASA Worcester County is on Facebook!

CASA Worcester County is on Facebook! Please sign in to your Facebook account and follow usat www.facebook.com/CasaProjectWorcester. We hope to share the amazing

work that our volunteers do every day on behalf of abused and neglected childrenin Worcester County. We will update the page frequently and let you know ofCASA news and happenings.

If you are familiar with Facebook and could help us enhance/upgrade our page,please let us know by emailing Kris at [email protected].

If you do not already have an existing Facebook account signing up is easy andfree. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ to sign up today.

NCASA MagazineNational CASA's Magazine has decided to "go green" and will publish theirmonthly magazine, The Connection, exclusively online. Please [email protected] to be added to an email list to receive emailswhen the online version is updated.

***Community News***

HelpOurKids provides support to children in foster care, givingthem things beyond the basics that enrich their lives. HelpOurKidsalso helps them to establish independent lives through providinghousewares, furniture, and the things to enable them to be self­sufficient. They also provide music lessons, athletic equipment,duffle bags so they don't have to use trash bags, a college tour tobroaden their horizons, a crib bank to respond quickly for infantplacement, the event Fitting For The Future for special occasionclothing and many other forms of support beyond the basics. Please visit their website for more information: www.helpourkidsinc.org

WORCESTER: THE CITY THAT READS... 10th

ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE AND THE GOAL IS 32,000BOOKS

The kick off for the tenth annual book drive by Worcester: the

City that Reads Committee to collect books ( Pre­k to grade 8) forsummer reading began this week with its theme of "Our Springinto Books." The Committee was founded by John and Anne­Marie Monfredo ten years ago in an attempt to promote literacy inthe community, put books into the hands of children who lackbooks in their homes, and to promote the importance of being alife time reader. In ten years the group has given out over225,000 books to the children in this community! Anne­Marie Monfredo, a former teacher stated, "We started thiscommittee to encourage the children in our community to developa love for reading and to put books into the hands of those whohave so few. Please donate a new or gently used books, Pre­kindergarten tograde 8, at the following sites from now to May 15th.

People's United People's Bank ( (all six city branches)including the town of Shrewsbury,Worcester Public LibraryCommerce Bank (all four city branches) including HoldenBay State Savings Bank (all branches)Bank of America ( at Tatnuck Square)TD Bank ( all branches)Stop and Shop on Lincoln StreetStop and Shop on Grafton StreetStop and Shop on West Boylston StreetShaws Market on West Boylston StreetRSVP and the Senior Center on Vernon StreetWorcester Credit UnionStarbucks Coffee on one West Boylston Street and inAuburnPanera's on West Boylston StreetAustin Liquor at Gold Star BlvdJewish Community Center on Salisbury StreetLeader's Way ­ Kung Fu Academy on Burncoat StreetGreendale YMCAMain Street YMCA

Bagel Inn on Main Street in Holden, Ma.St. Vincent's Hospital at the entrance door on SummerStreetSummit Elder Care on Grafton StreetWorcester Public Schools School Committee Office ­ 20Irving StreetWorcester City Hall at the City Manger's OfficeAnne's Books Shop on James Street in Worcester

The Boston Globe

GRANT(Globe Readers and Non­Profits Together)

A Great Way to Support CASA!

About GRANT: GRANT enables readers to show their support for non­profits bychoosing which ones are given free advertising space inThe Boston Globe. Seven­day newspaper subscribers' vouchers are valued at $100;

all other subscribers (including website­only readers) receivevouchers valued at $50. It is up to each of our readers to decide which charity deserves hisor her voucher the most. The organizations with the highestdonations will be able to spread the word about their valuablework through free advertising in The Boston Globe. Not a subscriber?Subscribe today to get access to The Boston Globe's high­quality,in­depth journalism and breaking news as well as access tomember exclusive content and programs like GRANT. Go to: The Boston Globe GRANT Program

Save the Date!

Worcester Convoy of Hope is coming June 6, 2015To University Park

A "Poverty Free" Day!

See attached flyer

Convoy of Hope

Rein in a Dream

Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

­ Twenty years of success working with children with a wide range of challenges. ­ Serving children as young as two years old, as well as adults with: depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, Autism spectrum disorders, learning challenges­ Incorporating animals in a therapeutic setting.

See attached flyer for details

Rein In A Dream

There is currently an Urgent Needfor Foster Families in Worcester & the Surrounding

Towns

Long Term...Short TermChange the Future of a Child in Your Community!

Did you Know?: ­That you can rent or own your own home

­You can decide on the age or gender of the child ­You may be single, married, partnered, divorced or widowed

to become a foster parent ­Foster families can decide to provide 10 day short term

stays or longer ­All inquiries are handled individually and in confidence

Please Call Maria Benitez at 508­929­2086 or Roxanne Johnson­

Cruz at 508­929­2125 for more information1­800­KIDS­508www.mass.gov/dcf

Worcester Community Connection Parent Guide toCommunity Services

The Worcester Community Connection Parent Guide to Community Services in

English and Spanish are 4 ½ x 5 ½ inch guides that parents and serviceproviders can carry around with them that put lots of community resource

information at their fingertips

Please place your orders now!

The Cost of the new English and Spanish guides is $2.00 each for AgencyProviders($1.00 each for quantities of 20 or more) Both guides are FREE for Worcester parents (one copy per person).

(Please make checks payable to YOU Inc.)

Parents can stop in to pick up a free copy of the guide at:

The WCCC Resource & Referral CenterAffiliated with YOU Inc.

484 Main Street (the Denholm Building), Suite 460(4th floor)Worcester, MA 01608

Mondays ­ Fridays, 8:30 ­ 4:30pm

Orders must be picked up in person ­ we are unable to mail copies.Please call 508­796­1411

or email the order form to our intake worker Amanda Beeso [email protected]

Mental Health Providers in WorcesterUpdated List 2014

See attached for an updated listing of mental health providers inWorcester.

Mental Health Providers 2014

Mentoring Programs in Worcester Please click on the link below to see an updated listing of Mentoring Programs

offered in Worcester.

Mentoring Programs

NATIONAL CASA ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH SMILE FORA LIFETIME FOUNDATION

The Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (S4L), is an internationalnonprofit organization that provides orthodontic care and freebraces to underserved children with financial challenges andspecial orthodontic needs.For more information, please goto Smile for a Lifetime, or call the CASA office.

***JOB OPPORTUNITIES***

Y.O.U., Inc.

Job Opening for Clinician

Youth Opportunities Upheld, Inc. (Y.O.U., Inc.) is a private, non­profitorganization serving troubled and at­risk children, adolescents and families in theWorcester county area since 1971. Today, Y.O.U., Inc. is one of the leadingchild welfare, behavioral health and education agencies in Massachusetts,offering more than 45 exceptional programs at 32 distinct sites.We are currently hiring a Clinician to work as a part of our WorcesterConnections Family Resource Center. This is the perfect opportunity for a

dynamic and creative individual looking to provide strength­based clinicalservices to families, adolescents and children. Education:

LICSW or LMHC requiredMaster's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, family therapy orrelated field required

Skills & Qualifications:

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a related mental health settingand/or clinical experience is requiredMassachusetts Child & Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)Certification required

Responsibilities:

Oversees the coordination of assessment and planning for familiesreferred for services under the Family Resource CenterConduct CANS assessment and provide family support planning forfamilies with Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) related issuesMaintains electronic records, notes, reports, summaries and any otherpaperwork as required by agency/program policies and procedures. Ensures that documentation in record is updated and maintainedMay be responsible for the supervision of program staff and provideclinical support to FRC staff. May participate in the provision of supportgroups to familiesHours for this position are Monday ­ Friday, 9am ­5pm with periodicweekend hours (Saturday morning)

If you are enthusiastic, dedicated and want to be a part of a growing, energeticand spirited team then we encourage you to apply for this opportunity. ForY.O.U., Inc. employees, it's not just a job... it's a mission. Our employees arededicated to making a difference and they genuinely enjoy the work they do.

Job Opening

Director of Youth Development

Job Description:

The Director of Youth Development will manage the operations at the StandUpFor Kids Outreach Center and develop youth programs. This Director will beresponsible for the coordination of activities related to employment developmentand overseeing the referral and provision of legal assistance. Hours: Minimum of 20 hours a week (Staffing or being available at OutreachCenter open hours: Saturdays 12 ­ 4 pm, Monday 5:30 pm ­ 9:30 pm and futureopen hours ­ Wednesday 5:30 pm ­ 9:30 pm)Wages: Weekly stipend ­ $385.00 Benefits: Vacation time negotiableEducation Requirement: BS/BA degree Social Work, Youth Work, InternationalStudies, or related field.Requirements: Experience working with youth and developing youth programs; submit to Background Investigation (Cori); knowledge of Youth servicesavailable in Worcester preferred; knowledge of Trauma Informed Care andPositive Youth Development best practices.Responsibilities:

Supervise and monitor the services at the Outreach Center. Develop and implement or arrange programs for the youth, such as:ready to work training, resume building, life skills and other trainings orclasses as needed. Complies outreach Statistics and submits on a monthly basis. Delegate responsibilities to volunteer outreach counselors at theOutreach Center for daily running of the Outreach Center. Implementing a prevention program Collaborate and meet with the Executive Director as needed forplanning, finances and needed supplies. Attend meetings

If interested send resume to Donna Katsoudas at [email protected] a introductory letter of interest.

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The CASA Project, Inc. | 100 Grove Street | 4th Floor | Worcester | MA | 01605