Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life....Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life. 2012 ANNUAL REPORT CASA Philadelphia County CASA is central to fulﬁlling society’s most

Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life.

2012 ANNUAL REPORTCASA Philadelphia County

CASA is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family.

I am for the child who has been abused.

Who doesn’t want to go home.

The child who no longer believes in herself.

I am for the child who has been

neglected.

Who doesn’t know where her next

meal is coming from.

The child who must be the parent to

his siblings.

I am for the child who was taken away for

her own protection.

The child who is now in foster care.

Who doesn’t know who these people are.

Or how long he’ll be there.

I am for the child who’s lived in five foster

homes in a single year.

Who’s attended six schools in four years.

Who sits in back of yet another classroom,

surrounded by strangers.

I am for the child who one day will turn

18— and will be surrendered to the world.

Lift up a child’s voice.A child’s life.

CASA Philadelphia County Annual Report 3

Executive Director’s Letter

Dear Friends,

This has been another exciting year at CASA of Philadelphia County! We have served more children than ever before by pro-viding volunteer advocacy for over 200 abused and neglected children with 90 active CASA volunteers. We have some great additions to our staff and board and are thrilled to finally have a training space to call our own.

Every child has a right to feel safe, loved and cared for. The lessons of the Penn State Sandusky scandal this year have reminded us that we all have a critical role to play in supporting

and watching over the children in our community. The 4,200 abused and neglect-ed children in Philadelphia’s child welfare system are often scared and traumatized. They have been removed from their homes and families and placed into a foster care system that, while attempting to meet their needs, often falls short of seeing each child as a unique being with complex needs and hopeful wishes.

At CASA, we believe the solution begins with a single committed adult—a CASA volunteer. Someone specially trained to know what is in a child’s best interest, and how to ensure those interests are met by the system. Someone who knows how to help a child through this time of great vulnerability. Someone who will fight for a child, against all odds.

We have witnessed first-hand the meaningful impact a CASA volunteer has on a child’s life. For that reason, we have set a heroic goal to serve 500 children by 2016. To meet this goal, your help and support is needed. I am for the child. Are you?

Sincerely,

Wendy Graham, MSW

Board of Directors

Greetings,

Every day in Philadelphia CASA volunteers meet with children and youth who have experienced the anguish of neglect or abuse. They listen to learn more about who this one child is, what he aspires to be, who she wants to contact, and what health and educational issues need to be addressed. Most significantly, they ask the child what she or he

wants the Court to know about them. In the fast-paced world of Family Court, the CASA volunteer is there for that child, accountable to no other institution--making sure that all involved know what this one child wants and needs for their well-being.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I can state that we are deeply grateful to our volunteers and our talented professional staff who ensured that the 200 children CASA served had ongoing contact with their CASA every month and a voice in court proceedings. We applaud the work of CASA volunteer leadership Executive Director Wendy Graham and Associate Director Allison Modica, who have overseen increasing revenues and a considered expansion of office space. Over the last year the board has worked to diversify its membership and develop a strategic plan. Going forward we want to enlist more partners who are passionate about children and giving them a voice.

With gratitude,

Judith Silver, Ph.D.Board President


Judith Silver, PhD President Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

E. Clark Bailey Treasurer Susquehanna International Group

Moniginia N. Pressley Secretary OfficeAdministrationExpert.com

Vanessa Barbetti PNC Financial Services

Tom Bonner PECO

Esther Cheung, PhD Retired from GlaxoSmithKline

Theresa Concepcion, Esq. Archer & Greiner, P.C.

Keara Duncan Prudential

Philip Hawkins Kurchner-Hawkins Associates

Robert S. Hawkins, Esq. Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, P.C.

Andrea Hoffman Jelin Retired Child Welfare Professional

Denis J. Lawler, Esq. Blank Rome, LLP

Tom McCourt Orion Group USA, Inc.

Maura McInerney, Esq. Education Law Center

M. Khalil Meggett, CPA Meggett Consulting

Andrea Rush National Philanthropic Trust

R. Leon Shelton Financial Advisor

Tammee L. Thompson Johnson Controls, Inc.

CASA of Philadelphia County is a nonprofit organization that trains and supports community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children adjudicated dependent by the Juvenile Court in Philadelphia County. What we do is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect and to learn and grow in the safe embrace of a loving family.

CASA recruits community volunteers from diverse backgrounds and completes a thorough screening process that includes an intensive interview and criminal background check. Potential volunteers complete 30 hours of pre-service training and are sworn-in as officers of the court . Ultimately, they are appointed by Family Court judges to serve as the “eyes and ears of the court.”

Volunteers are paired with a staff supervisor, who serves as a guide on the case. CASA volunteers are required to visit their child/sibling group at least once per month, contact caseworkers, interview parents, doctors, teachers and therapists. They review education and treatment records, report to the court and testify to promote the necessary safety, care and permanent placement of children. Essentially, CASA volunteers do whatever it takes to ensure that the needs of the child are met while in foster care. CASA works in partnership with Philadelphia’s Family Court, Department of Human Services (DHS) and its contracted provider agencies to ensure that children receive the health, education and services they so desperately need and deserve.


About CASA Philadelphia County


CASA Highlights 2011 – 2012

Honorable Kevin M. Dougherty

CASA Board of Directors

Honorable Kevin M. DoughertyRudy Garcia, ESQLeon Shelton (CASA Board Member)

Provided quality advocacy to 200 abused and neglected children with over 90 active volunteers.

Recruited and trained 50 new CASA volunteers.

Expanded office space capacity to include a training center for CASA volunteers.

Visited Rep. Chaka Fattah to discuss Federal budget cuts to the National CASA Association and the impact on Philadelphia’s organization.

Hosted it’s 3rd Annual Forgotten Children Campaign at the Shops of Liberty Place during National Foster Care Awareness month (May) and raised $14,000 to support its mission.

Worked on a 5-year strategic plan with its Board of Directors to set a course of action for the organization that will build the program and advocate for more abused and neglected children.

Developed a corporate donor strategy to reach out to Philadelphia’s business community to create awareness about CASA and to solicit donations.

Implemented a social media campaign using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to generate community awareness and support.

Presented to the Law Firm Pro Bono Committee to garner the support and services of Philadelphia law firms.

Partnered with California Pizza Kitchen to host a fundraising event for CASA and proceeds supported the cost of CASA advocacy for children.

Launched a 10 for 10 Campaign, utilizing staff and volunteers to tap into their networks of family, friends and colleagues to raise money for CASA.

Strengthened its relationship with the judges of Family Court by meeting with them individually to discuss CASA’s appointment process and intake capacity.


CASA’s Strategic Goals for the Upcoming Year

Recruit and train

60 New CASA Volunteers

Host the

I Am For the Child Campaign at the Shops at Liberty Place May 6-10, 2013

Continue efforts to

Diversify Fundraising Efforts

Execute a

Superhero Walk in Fall 2013

Market CASA to a wider community

Enhance Communication with CASA volunteers

CASA ADVOCACY FOR A CHILD

$1,600 supports CASA advocacy for 1 year

$800 supports CASA advocacy for 6 months

$400 supports CASA advocacy for 3 months

$135 supports CASA advocacy for 1 month

$35 supports CASA advocacy for 1 week

Seek New Strategic Partnerships in the community


Volunteer SpotlightThom Mrazik

A year ago, Thom Mrazik was looking for a volunteer opportunity to stay true to his self-mission of “providing a service of care to people.” As a recent “empty-nester” along with his wife, Thom suddenly had a flexible schedule that allowed him to embark on doing something new to help others in need. Having heard positive stories from his oldest son, a CASA volunteer in Washington, DC, Thom felt compelled to engage with a CASA program in his area. Thom has worked on two separate CASA cases and feels he has made a difference in the lives of the children for whom he has advocated. Thom’s first assignment was two children, ages 1 and 3, who were living with their mother in a 3 room retrofitted garage. Thom quickly assessed the children’s situation and needs and built trust with their mother. With persistence and ingenuity, Thom helped the family obtain tabletop fans to improve air circulation in their living quarters. He advocated for the three-year old to be evaluated for Early Intervention services to help with her language development. Mom eventually completed the goals laid out for her by the Department of Human Services (DHS), complied with the judge’s orders and was permitted to keep custody of her children.

Thom’s second assignment was a 9-year-old boy placed by the Court in kinship care with his grandmother, since his biological parents had not been able to handle his special educational and behavioral needs. Thom’s instincts kicked in and he began to dive into the boy’s education plan and a multitude of behavioral assessments. Realizing that the school’s assessments and plans were not current

nor coordinated, Thom, along with DHS and his grandmother, advocated for the child to be re-evaluated so that a new Individualized Education Plan (IEP) could be created for him. Thom was a staunch volunteer advocate who relentlessly pursued arriving at the most appropriate educational plan with proper school placement and accompanying behavioral health support. Thom also spent considerable time observing the boy’s living situation with this grandmother and eventually testified in Court on his behalf.

Thom appreciates the opportunities and challenges in building collaborative relationships with the many others involved in a case – DHS, Child Advocate, service providers and teachers. Thom is grateful for this privilege to help children in need and sees visible, meaningful evidence of making a difference in their lives in a short period of time.

“At the end of the day, we (CASA volunteers) are the ones who are specifically looked to by the judge to express the wishes of the child and make recommendations to help improve their lives, if needed.”


Volunteer SpotlightEsther Cheung, PhD

Esther Cheung, PhD is a retired scientist from GlaxoSmithKline. She always had a passion for helping underprivileged children and became interested in CASA after hearing her two sisters talk about their experiences as CASA volunteers in Boston and Miami. However, when she looked into the local CASA chapter, she learned that Philadelphia did not have a CASA program. With her practical business sense, Esther looked into starting a Philadelphia CASA chapter and raised the money needed to recruit an Executive Director.

As a founding member of the Board of Directors, she helped get the agency up and running in 2006 with her vision to “help

every child who needs a CASA volunteer get a CASA volunteer.” Despite pouring her time and money into ensuring CASA’s success, in late 2011 she felt compelled to do more. In addition to her role on the Board of Directors, Esther is a CASA volunteer to four children living with their grandmother. The children were removed from their mother’s care because she tested positive for drugs during the emergency delivery of her last child. Esther admits it’s been a struggle gaining the

grandmother’s trust but continues to make progress demonstrating her role as a volunteer advocate. “She now sees me as a partner for getting things done. I’ve helped sort out health insurance issues, making sure the children have beds and getting the children the clothes they need.” Esther has embraced the challenge of building rapport with the children and enjoys getting to know them and listening to their wishes. “Being a CASA volunteer allows for making small progress, one child at time, one family at a time. It’s very fulfilling. However, being a Board Member has more influence and allows for directing the vision of the agency.” As Esther continues her commitment to CASA, she is dedicated to ensuring abused and neglected children’s voices are heard in the court system so judges make decisions based on having all relevant information to best inform their decisions.

“Being a CASA volunteer allows for making small progress, one child at time, one family at a time. It’s very fulfilling. However, being a Board Member has more influence and allows for directing the vision of the agency.”


Volunteer SpotlightCindy Blum

As a Special Education teacher who worked with children in need of Early Intervention Services, Cindy Blum chose a career that would allow her to engage with people and help children in need. After an early retirement, Cindy quickly felt the need to engage in a group that would support her desire to help children. When she approached CASA two years ago, she never expected to find a volunteer organization with the power to leave a lasting impact on the life of a child. Cindy heard about CASA from her cousin who is a CASA volunteer in New Jersey and quickly realized her educational background and experience could benefit children in foster care.

She was appointed to a 15 year-old boy diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability living in a residential treatment facility. Cindy spent time getting to know him and the staff assigned to his care and treatment. She also reached out to his mother, who had nine other children in her care. Cindy learned about his mother’s desire to have him returned home but knew the difficulty she experienced dealing with his ID needs. She spent time translating school plans and reports so that his mother could

have a better understanding. Cindy found her role as a CASA volunteer a “fulfilling experience” and did her best to engage the boy’s mother in his education and treatment services so that she could learn how to care for him. Soon, they boy’s

mother trusted Cindy and relied on her knowledge and consistency to help her reunify with her son. Although the boy was briefly returned home to his mother’s care, his poor choices caused his mother to realize that she could not properly provide for her son. Ultimately, he was returned to a residential treatment facility and Cindy continues to visit with him monthly, support his educational pursuits and advocate for his treatment needs.

When asked what CASA has meant to her, Cindy says, “Connecting with someone who needs someone to connect to makes it all worth it.” Cindy believes her role as a CASA volunteer is empowering and is grateful for the opportunity she has had to connect to a child who needed her compassion and voice. “I believe we can make a difference one child at a time.” It’s been nearly three years of advocating for a now 17 year-old boy and Cindy clearly remembers the day she was first assigned the case. “With the daunting directive to act as the eyes and ears for the court, finding the correct balance between what is in the child’s best interest and his wishes, I had to find my voice. I had to be that child’s voice. I had to ensure that the name on the court documents and the number on the case file had a voice.” Cindy not only gave a child a voice, she gave a child hope.

“I believe we can make a difference one child at a time.”


Volunteer SpotlightDiane Marable-Jackson

Diane, a mother of teenagers, became a CASA volunteer because she wanted to make a difference. She had a desire to give back to her community by being a voice for abused and neglected children. Her first case as a CASA volunteer was working with an infant. Diane committed herself to the baby girl and spent over a year advocating for needed services and ensured she received proper medical care. Diane advocated for her in court and supported her adoption by a loving family.

Always up for a challenge, Diane’s second case assignment was a 16 year-old girl, who had been in and out of foster care since she was eight years old. When CASA was assigned the

case, the teen had been moved from her third foster home. During their first meeting, the teen was quiet and unsure of what to make of Diane. With each of Diane’s visits over the next few weeks, she would open up, talking more and more. Diane spent time reading

through the teen’s case history and read stories of her anger and rage. In some of their meetings, Diane saw hints of the teen’s anger as she shared her frustrations with the path her life had taken. Diane was unfazed and made it very clear to her that she was not going anywhere, no matter how hard she tried to push her away. At one of their meetings, the teen asked Diane; “So, how long are you going to be on the case?” Diane replied, “I’m going to be here as long as you want me here. I’m not going anywhere.” Clearly the teen could see the determination and sincerity in Diane and this set the stage for a great relationship. When she revealed to Diane her dream of being a part of a family, Diane told her not to be discouraged. She assured her that even 16 year olds deserve to have a family. Throughout her advocacy efforts on behalf of the teen, Diane never lost focus. She was determined to give the girl a fair shot. So when Diane was told about a run-in with Sandy, a former school worker who left a lasting impression on the teen, Diane reached out to her. Sandy informed Diane she was willing to have the girl live with her. This was music to Diane’s ears. There is still a long road ahead, with many potential speed bumps along the way, but Diane is committed to walking alongside the teen every step of the way. For Diane, believing in a child when she does not believe in herself is sometimes the best gift you can give. And having an adult believe in her is not something this teen has had in her life. This case needed a very special volunteer and Diane is absolutely the right one for the job!

“I’m going to be here as long as you want me here. I’m not going anywhere.”


CASA VolunteersElaine AllenStephanie AndersonBob AngevineVanessa BarbettiAmy BergerTshai Bethel-FrancisMarcia BlairCindy BlumLeonard BonarekLiz BretlAudre BrokesBethany BrooksMonica BrownChristine ChamberlainEsther CheungShawna ClarkJoanna ConmyPeter CuttyGreta DanielsEttie Davis

Merel EdmondsTynisha EdwardsRuth ElColleen Farrell-FeliciLisa FeixJoyce Flynn-MonacoColleen FriedmanLauren FuimanLorien GilbertWendy GlazerSharon GoodmanLiana GrassoAdele GreenbergShakira HansleyJulia HansonShalyn HockeyPat HowardCarol HughesMilahn HullStella Kadatskaya

Guatam KarKaren KrohnemannStaci KupersmitTom LaceyJulia LakinAnisa LakuriqiNancy LanhamCynthia LeeElizabeth Lovatt Diana Marable-JacksonSheila McDaidVicki McGinleyPatty McKinneyEd McNicholThom MrazikBecky NuñezPatricia O’KeefeTrina PilhujJanet PlosserCheryl Poccia

Angela PoteAreta PowellShatisha QuarlesSharon RavinTrish ReedPaul ReillyQuanda RobinsonJan RubinCourtney ScrubbsDeb SeifDebbie StaubleinDetta TateJulie TownsendHahn TranCarole TrestonMary Lou VitaleTrish WaltersMichelle WhalenSamaria WilliamsStacey Wyman

Contributions $24,412

Fundraising $16,163

Total Revenue $347, 822


Financial Report

Staff ListWendy Graham, MSW Executive Director

Allison Modica, MSS, MLSP Associate Director

Cynthia Mason, Esq.Program Supervisor

Carletta Chandler, BSW Volunteer Coordinator & Court Liaison

Trish ReedCASA Supervisor

Shay Faison, MA CASA Supervisor

Carole Cornelius, MSW CASA Supervisor

TOTAL REVENUE In the fiscal year 2012, CASA of Philadelphia County’s total revenue was $347,822.

TOTAL EXPENSESCASA’s total expenses in the fiscal year 2012 was $322,847.

Government $218,825

Non-profit Grants $37,897

Foundations $50,525

Professional Fees $9,424

Occupancy $21,688

Fundraising $3,765

Total Expenses $322,847

Personnel $275,570

Volunteer Training $2,727

Technology $3,594

Office Supplies $6,079

62% 84%1%1%

2%3%

7%

2%

5%

7%

15%

11%


CASA Donors$0 - $99

Christine AdairMichael AdamsPaula AhearnImtiaz AlamHeather AscherVanessa BarbettiNancy Baron-BaerMeg BegleyRobert BothwellSeward BrownVirginia BrownJennifer BurnettHonorable Ann ButchartCharlene CalvaneseRichard & Anna CampbellFrank Cervone, Esq.Mary ChenJeff ClendeningLinda ConcepcionLinda CorteseDavid CraigIan CraigCatherine DalyLynn DavisLarry DiPietroM. DisstonEileen DoughertyKeara DuncanDevon FergusonElizabeth FinnRudolph Garcia, Esq.Marcia GeverDavid GilbertGlaxoSmithKine Susan GreenbaumMargie Gualtieri, Esq.Mary Ann HearnMary HelmsMarsha HermanDelita HernandezKaren HinkleCraig HymowitzIjanae JacksonAbbie Kasoff-GrayElizabeth KlaprothLilly KosakaCaley KratzLaurie LealAlice LoperJulie MaltzmanDolores McCabeSharon McGinley

Patrick McGinnis, Jr.Sherene McManusJanet McReynoldsDeborah MendezVicki MertesJeanean MohrKevin MrazikRyan MrazikMegan MuellerKen MullnerHilleary NguyenFelice PandolaJanet PfizenmayerJoan PrzybylskiDiana QuarryJudy QuimbyCarol RemetzSuzanne RoyceRobin SampsonAndrew ShaprenLeon SheltonRobert SiegelPatricia SloanBeverly SmithMeghan SmithSherman SmithCheryl StormesElizabeth SullivanMarilyn TaylerTracey ThomaseyShelley Turner-WilliamsRicci VargasSusan VinebergVictoria Wagner-WeberEmily WeldeKatie Young WildesEllen WolfYves Zsutty

$100 - $499

Clark BaileyMarjorie BeckJames BeckerSteven BizarCindy BlumThomas BonnerEsther Cheung, PhDTeresa M. ColganTheresa Concepcion, Esq.Christopher ConleyAlan & Mary CraigBarclay CunninghamFidelity Charitable Donation

Nancy DoyleDeborah ElamDavid FairAlan FolkmanDevine FrancisDeborah GoldfarbSara GoldsteinDean GrahamAndrea Hoffman JelinKyle HovisMary HuffmanKeturah JenkinsJim KachidurianClare KahnBonnie KellyMaureen KellyAllison KhaskelisNelida Lara-GardunoEllen LeeJennifer Lowman, Esq.Toni MacIntyreJamille McCulloughMaura McInerney, Esq.Brian McVeighKhalil MeggettHelen MerianosCraig MillsChris MorelandRobert MrazikThomas MrazikKathryn O’FeeThomas Ohntrup, Jr.Kristina OmariSteven PessagnoPhiladelphia Alumnae Chapter Kappa Alpha ThetaDenise PierceG. Bradley RainerRoberto Rivero-SotoHallam Roth, Esq.Andrea RushRobin SampsonDavid SaussyCatherine SohnSt. John’s United Church of ChristAngela StoutMichael VogelAnne Marie VoutsinosDawn WatermannMichelle Whalen Keith WilnerBinger WinchellFlora Wolf

Carol WolfeBarbara ZarskyMargaret Zukoski, Esq.

$500 - $999

Wendy GlazerPhilip Hawkins Denis Lawler, Esq. Eileen & Russell ModicaCarlo RussoJill Spiker, Esq. Detta Tate

$1,000 - $4,999

Blank Rome, LLPBuchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PCC. Brody AssociatesArabella CherkisDiana CheungChildren’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaDolfinger-McMahon FoundationKappa Alpha Theta Monée PressleySunita SheithJudith Silver, PhD Tammee Thompson Henrietta Wurts Memorial FundZarwin, Baum, DeVito, Kaplan, Schaer

$5,000 - $9,999

Philadelphia Bar Foundation Reed Elsevier CaresWilliam King Foundation

$10,000 - $14,999

Claneil Foundation

$15,000 and up

Pfizer FoundationLincoln Financial Foundation National CASA Association


CASA SupportersFamily Court of Philadelphia:Honorable Kevin M. DoughertyHonorable Roxanne CovingtonHonorable Jonathan IrvineHonorable Vincent L. JohnsonHonorable Thomas NocellaHonorable Walter OlszewskiHonorable Edward C. WrightMaster Carol CarsonMaster Tammy Langenberg

City of Philadelphia, Department of Human Services: Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose

California Pizza KitchenKate Carrara – Philadelphia’s Cupcake Lady Christopher ConleyMairead ConleyEddie’s HouseEducation Law CenterMaureen FioccaRudy Garcia, Esq.Lorien GilbertDean GrahamSusan GrantKappa Alpha Theta – Beta Eta ChapterKappa Alpha Theta AlumnaeJerrod Modica – T2AP Creative TeamNational CASA Association Cheyenne PalmaPennsylvania CASAThe Shops at Liberty PlaceMaria HatzivasilisJill Scarlett Angie Waters Katie Young Wildes

Creative Team

1940 Brandywine St, Philadelphia, PA 19130 | 215-922-1409

www.casaphiladelphia.org | www.facebook.com/CASAPhiladelphia

The mission of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Philadelphia County is to train and support community volunteers to advocate for the health, safety, stability and well being of abused and neglected children.

Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life....Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life. 2012 ANNUAL REPORT CASA Philadelphia County CASA is central to fulﬁlling society’s most

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