2023 CASA Board Impact Report

IMPACT REPORT

Helping to make a difference in a child’s life.

Welcome Impact Report 2023

Every 45 serconds a child enters foster care. We know most children in foster care experience multiple foster homes, schools, social workers and teachers, while dealing with the trauma of abuse or neglect. Research supports having a CASA/GAL volunteer can help improve the odds for these children and make a life-changing impact.

Consider donating and volunteering today. Your gift can make a difference in the life of a child. Get involved.

#FosteringFutures

For

Message from the

Board

Thank you for your support.

Dear Friends of Summit County CASA/GAL Program,

In 2023, 166 CASA/GAL Volunteers advocated for 761 abused and neglected children in Summit County. These statistics speak to how powerful and important the CASA/GAL Program of Summit County is to the children of our community.

CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem) volunteers help ensure the child receives the services they need and provide a voice for children in the juvenile courtroom. This is already a difficult time for the youth involved in these cases and having a CASA/GAL provides them with someone they can trust. The CASA volunteer is that presence and brings hope to each child so they can see a brighter future.

The cases volunteers are seeing are becoming more complex and lasting longer. The rise in cases post-pandemic has not dwindled; that coupled with the complexity and emotional toll of this volunteer position, we are constantly recruiting and training new volunteers. Thanks to your generosity, the Board continues to develop and execute volunteer retention and recruitment strategies to ensure that this program continues to succeed.

The CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc. is tasked with supporting the program of Summit County, under the leadership of Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio and Beth Cardina, by fundraising to support the volunteers. In 2023 the CASA Board raised almost $360,000 to assist volunteers to carry out their mission to ensure every child has a voice in and out of the courtroom.

You can continue to help in several ways; become a CASA volunteer, assist with fundraisers, trainings and/or special events; join our board; give a charitable donation or invite us to speak at your organization.

Thank you for your support. Together, we can change a child’s story.

Amanda Carroll

2023 Board Chair

CASA BOARD VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

In 1993, the CASA Board Volunteer Association, Inc. was established to further the mission and support the work of the CASA/GAL program of Summit County. The Board partners with the Program by raising and administering funds for enhanced programming, personnel support, promoting public awareness of the CASA/GAL Program, and recognizing the efforts of heroic volunteers.

Our Vision is that the CASA/GAL Program of Summit County be a model for how very well the program works to protect the most vulnerable citizens of a community: children who have suffered abuse and neglect. The CASA Board Volunteer Association, Inc. is committed to ensuring that the local CASA program provides a thoroughly trained and well supported CASA/GAL volunteer to every child in Summit County who needs one. Through the work of these caring and dedicated volunteers, we will advocate for all children in need, until they receive safe, permanent and nurturing homes.

In order to guarantee the on-going success of the program, we will continually generate awareness of the plight of abused and neglected children, and will cultivate strong partnerships with individuals and organizations committed to bettering children’s lives. We will do this with integrity, compassion and devotion to our children.

When a child welfare case begins, the courtroom is crowded with a judge, a representative from a children’s services agency, biological parents, family members, attorneys, other courtroom staff and, of course, the child. Even though the child should be the priority in the room, judges, caseworkers and service providers who determine the child’s future simply do not have adequate time or resources to understand the specific needs of each and every child.

By speaking for the child, a CASA/GAL volunteer is the voice of the child in the courtroom that ensures the wishes and needs of the child are not overlooked by the many competing interests at play.

4.5

Average years of service for a CASA/GAL volunteer.

8

Average age of child served by a CASA/GAL volunteer.

32

New volunteers trained and sworn in.

91

Number of children reunified with a parent

166 CASA/GAL volunteers assigned to cases

761

Total number of children served.

3.17

Average number of children served per CASA/GAL

Reported miles driven:

46,715

Reported hours volunteered: 8,151

The CASA Board Volunteer Association Inc. provides financial support to the program to assist with recruitment, retention, recognition, and training of the CASA/GAL volunteers.

$351,016

Total Expenses

Expenses incurred in 2023 were from program costs, fundraising expenses, volunteer support and retention, training and general administration.

$359,588

Total Revenue

Revenue for 2023 comes from donations, fundraising, miscellaneous, grants, various foundations and charitable funds.

Events Fundraising

Fundraising events provide an opportunity to support the mission of the CASA /GAL Program of Summit County while sharing examples of the positive impact the program makes in the community.

$ 57,538

Strong Families. Strong Futures. Fundraiser Breakfast

Fall Fundraiser

During the 11th Annual “Strong Families. Strong Futures ” fundraising breakfast, we had the privilege of previewing our new informational video (follow the QR code on the cover to watch it). The 2023 William P. Kannel Child Advocate of the Year award was given to The Kimberly S. Denholm Charities. Meghann Price accepted the award on behalf of the charity, which was established in honor of her mother and former Summit County CASA/GAL volunteer, Kimberly Denholm.

$62,774 Fostering Futures

Spring Fundraiser

The Fostering Futures,#miCASAsuCASA was an evening full of CASA/GAL volunteers, staff, board members, supporters, and community members with lots of great food, drinks, and local items to bid on in a fabulous local venue, La La’s in the Lakes . All funds raised are used to support the CASA/ GAL Program of Summit County to continue reaching our goal of providing an advocate for every abused or neglected child in Summit County. Special thanks to our Keynote Speaker Maria Paparella from Chair-ity.

Toy Shop Holiday

Each year we look forward to the Toy Shop and the opportunity to spend time with our CASA/GAL volunteers, staff, and board members outside of courthearingsandcaseconferences.Thisfunevent allows volunteers to come and "shop" for the childrenontheircases,receiveagiftfromtheCASA board,andminglewithotherlike-mindedpeople.

The Toy Shop is made possible through a generous donation from the Kimberly S. Denholm Charities to purchase gifts and gift cards for children who have a CASA/GAL volunteer. The Denholm family, with help from the CASA board, spent BlackFridayshoppingforthe hundredsofchildrenwhoare involvedintheJuvenileCourt bynofaultoftheirown,due to allegations of abuse and neglect. This year 380 childrenwereabletoreceive gifts! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event asuccess!

Thank you to our Key Supporters $1000+

AAML Foundation

Akron Bar Association Foundation

Akron Children’s Hospital

Akron Community Foundation

Ann Amer Brennan

Anonymous Donors

Anthony & Karen Manna

Baird

Barberton Community Foundation

Bober Markey Fedorovich

Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC

Campana Capital

Capital Advisors

Chain Breakers Children’s Advocates

Charles E. & Mabel M. Ritchie Memorial Foundation

Cimino Box and Pallet LLC

Downtown Akron Kiwanis Foundation Inc.

Family Foundation

First American Title

Gary and Rhonda Didado

GBS Corp.

GPD Group Employees Foundation Inc.

Howley Bread Group, Ltd.

J6 Advisors

Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio

Kim and Devon Miller

YOU KEEP THE LIGHT

Kimberly S. Denholm Charities LLC

Lloyd L. & Louise K. Smith Foundation

Lucy & Emily Beasley Charitable Trust

Mark & Katie Smucker Family Fund

Michael & Jackie McClary

Musson Charitable Foundation

Oakmoor Pallet

Ohio CASA/GAL Association

PCR Business Systems

Premier Bank Foundation

Prosper Financial Architects

Rick and Lundy Harwood

Signet Love Inspires Foundation

Signet, LLC

Sisler McFawn

State & Federal Communcations

The Bowers Family Charitable Trust

The James B. Oswold Co.

The Laura Runyon Moffitt & Lucien Q.

Moffitt Foundation

The Learning Agenda

The Lehner Family Foundation

Ticket to Dream

Tuscora Park Health & Wellness Foundation

Wells Trecaso Financial

Welty Foundation

Westfield Bank

WITAN

Volunteer MAKE A DIFFERENCE

If you feel passionate about advocating for the best interests of a child in need, consider becoming a CASA/GAL volunteer today. For more information visit us at www.summitcasagal.org

To give a child a CASA is to give them a voice. To give them a voice is to give them hope. And to give them hope is to give them the world.

-Pamela Butler, former foster child

Role of CASA/GAL

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT

Erin Zito

Erin Zito is no stranger to the CASA/GAL Program of Summit County. After completing her internship with CASA, on her 21st Birthday, Erin was sworn in as a Court AppointedSpecialAdvocate.

Shecontinuedtotakecasesfor5yearsbeforeaccepting a position which created a conflict of interest. In those 5 years, she advocated for 18 children in 10 different families!

Although no longer able to serve as a CASA, Erin advocated for the program and continued to spread the word about the amazing work CASA/GAL volunteers do onadailybasis.

Erin's involvement with CASA solidified her desire to earnherbachelor'sdegreeinSocialWorkandbecomea Licensed Social Worker graduating from The University of Akron. She will continue her education in 2024 starting her master's of Social Work degree at Cleveland StateUniversity.

In 2023, Erin was able to rejoin the CASA family and begin taking cases again. We are thrilled to have her back and thankful her positive experiences with the program led her to returnandvolunteeragain.

What kept you motivated to continue volunteering?

Even when times got tough or things didn't go as planned, I felt supported and appreciated by my Volunteer Coordinator (Tammy) and CASA staff. This made it easier to getbackupandcontinueadvocating!

What advice do you have for new CASA/GAL volunteers?

TheworkwedoisHARD-Takingcareofyourselfisimportant!

CASA

Active 2023 Volunteers

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors--in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

- Mr. Rogers

Joshua Lemerman, Esq.

20+ Years

Annette Powers, Esq.

Elizabeth Regan

Jennie Williams

15+ Years

Paula Davis

Cheryl Hoover

Rhea Marcinko

Pamela Hawkins, Esq.

Mary Quinn

Bill Breiding

Judi Hill

Janet Osborne

Jacqueline Stringer

10+ Years

Todd Connell, Esq.

Lynn Rossmeissl

William Dammarell

Meredith Hooker, Esq.

Jay Schmidt

Tina Wagner

Heidi LaVoie

Antoinette Marotto

Susan Piper

Theresa Tolson

5+ Years

Francesca Cario

Linda Fiatal

Karen Manna

Sallie Moledor

Michele Tomer, Esq

Carolynn Coleman, Esq.

Sharon Hasek

Julie Miller

Victoria Osivnik

Lesli Paoletti

Loucile Powers, Esq.

Laura Quine

David Whitehurst

Bessie Dur

Naomi Ganoe

Allyson Himmelright

Elizabeth Ludtke

Jonathon Prochnow

Ronda L. Ambroziak

Cherianne Bender

Samantha Cameron

Pamela J. Jones

Stephen J. Neumeyer

Christopher G. Ryba

Elizabeth F. Belvin

Kevin J. Burkholder

Joanne Gibson

Katelyn Greene, Esq.

Steven P. Hendrix

Carla Johns

Ryan Kinney, Esq.

Ashley R. Moore

Erin Sheepwash

Eric C. Stiles

1-5 Years

Megan Brugmann

Alexandra Burt, Esq.

Jill Cabe, Esq.

Renee Conlon

Robert A. Fiatal

Michelle Garro

Heather Hill

Amy Humbert

Kellie Lockemer

Barbara Petruccio

Renee Royal-Spencer, Esq.

Iris R Weiss

Steven Zigler

Monica Andress, Esq.

Jill Boxler

Scott Dye, Esq.

Cherie Farine-White

James (Randy) Fike

Melanie Gardiner

Jean Giunto

Victoria Kekel

Sapna Khemka

Marcia Korane

Susan Mileski

Rebecca Nieciecki

Candace Tucciarelli

Melissa Wilkinson

Lauren Woolum

Amanda Yurechko, Esq.

Elizabeth Benway

Christopher Buswell

Jeanne Craig

Eli Dorman

Jenna Gauntner

Diamond Gay

John Guran, Esq.

Elizaberth Hileman

Karlek Jarvis, Esq.

Paige Lantz

Deborah Latham

Daniel Lavigna Esq.

Olivia Pence, Esq.

Crystal Sabol

Chloe Stratton

Meredith Wemhoff

David Whitt

Julie Aspiras

Marylou Ballard

McKayla Bates

Hannah Brotherton

Brianna Czirr

Brandon Ehlinger

Stephanie Gioia

Robyn Glomb-Dusenbery

Jane Hammond

Aimee Hubbert

Savannah Johns

Darcy Kennerly

Maureen McFarland

Lia Neuenschwander

Mary Nuss

DarShawna Powell

Eric Starr

Skylar Urban

Kortney Ames

Madalyn Brooks

Cathy Buck

Samantha Campbell

Arzice Chua

Sarah Copperman

Kristal Funk

Samantha Gacsy, Esq.

Michele Hall

Krystie Harris

Sara House

Linda T. Keller

Dana Kroffke

Ellen Linz, Esq.

Isabella McCauley

Tamara Palm

Madalyn Parry

Nancy Peteya

Sarah (Sally) Phillips

Roberta (Bobbi) Philson

Jessica Rist

Karra Salim, Esq.

Daniel Simon

Kathleen Slattery

Brian Stratton

Angela Sube

Kevin Thompson

Erin Twitchell

Erin Zito

Leah Zupancic

Staff

Members

Kandy Monroe

Lead Volunteer Coordinator

Karen Holmes

Volunteer Coordinator

Alan Futo

Lead Child Advocate

Geoff Auerbach

Child Advocate

Allison Marquis

Child Advocate

Christina Bollman

CASA Staff Attorney

Beth Cardina

Program Director

Tammy Barnes

Volunteer

Chris Kasper

David Arman

Alice Duey

Tonya May

Holly Farah

CASA Staff Attorney

Lora Mycoskie

Administrative Assistant

Sarah Harvan

Training Coordinator

Lisa Rotondo

Amy Datsko

Child Advocate

Chad Horstman

Child Advocate Child Advocate

Cara Wolfgram Evans

Joe Kernan

CASA Staff Attorney

Tater Tot

Juvenile Court

Professional Service Dog

In 2022 Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio and CASA/GAL staff member Geoff Auerbach, (his owner and handler) welcomed Tater Tot to the CASA/GAL team. Tater Tot is a highly trained facility dog who provides comfort and supporttothechildrenparticipatingincourtproceedings.

Tater Tot comes into work everyday ready to make an impact.Hereiswhatatypicalweeklookslikeforhim:

On Mondays, he attends the treatment team for Restore Court, one of the specialized dockets, on which he is a member, followed by attending individual and group hearingsfortheyouthenrolledtherein.

Tater Tot in action- Helping a youth destress during testimony

Tuesdays have become known as “Tater Tot Tuesdays” in the Juvenile Detention Center, where he has been able to log over 100 hours of visits with the youth who have achievedHonoreeStatus.

Wednesdays see Tater Tot begin to work with another specialized docket called FRRC (Family Reunification Through Recovery Court), where he is hoping to assist families throughtoughtimesontheirroadtosuccess.

Thursdays are a wild card day for him, with logs, notes, calls, and home or school visits allupforgrabs.

Fridays are often the second day of the week for him to visit the youth in Detention, however when the numbers are low (yay!) it becomes a day for home and school visits with the CASA/GAL youth on his caseload. There, he is often the soothing presence that facilitatesbettercommunication.

On nights and weekends throughout the year, Tater Tot participates in volunteer recruitment and community engagement. This occurs at various places, including parks, dog parks, college campuses, local businesses, and within the Juvenile Court itself.Geoffexplains,“TaterTotsetshisphaserstocharmandwooseveryonehemeets!”

Inadditiontoallofthis,TaterTotwasabletoattendtheOhioCASAConferenceandthe Intercourt Conference in Columbus, as well as Shared Hope International’s Juvenile Sex TraffickingConferenceSeriesinWashingtonDC.

All of these efforts are made possible by the generous supporters who believe in the missionofCASA!

CASA Volunteer Association Board

2023 Board Executive Committee

Amanda Carroll, Board Chair

PCR Business Systems

Meredit Davis, Board Vice Chair

BHHS, Stouffer Realty

Bradley Bowers, Board Treasurer

The Board of Trustees is comprised of volunteers from the community.

For the current Board Member list, visit www.summitcasagal.org

Adrienne Billings, J.D., M.B.A., Secretary/ Bylaws

Westfield Insurance

2023 Board Members

Beth Cardina, CASA/GAL Program Director

CASA/GAL Program of Summit County

Michael Badzik, Board Member

Premier Bank

Adrienne Billings, J.D., M.B.A., Board Member

Westfield Insurance

Hillary DeSaussure, Board Member

Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC

Francesca Jirsa, Board Member

Yoga Instructor

Sarah Lance, PR & Marketing Committee Chair

Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC

Karen Manna, Fundraising Committee Chair

Kim Miller, Finance Committee Co-Chair

Baird

Susan Packard, Board Member

Meghann Price, Board Member

First Energy

Francesca Ritson, Volunteer Recognition

Committee Chair

Cimino Box and Pallet, LLC

Christopher Ryba, Board Member

Talkdesk, Inc.

Ryan Silvestro, Board Member

State & Federal Communications

Amy Jo Sutterluety, Ph.D., FACSM, Board Member

Baldwin Wallace University

Jennifer Syx, Board Recruitment Chair

J6 Advisors

Board Administrator

Victoria Osivnik, Going Beyond Bookkeeping

Volunteer

Become a CASA/GAL volunteer and be the voice of a child in need. Volunteers need to be 21 years of age and attend a 30-hour pre-service training course. By becoming a volunteer, you will be appointed by the Summit County Juvenile Court Judge and can expect to spend approximately 10 – 12 hours a month advocating on behalf of a child in need.

Planned Gifts

Make the CASA/GAL Program of Summit County’s life-changing work part of your legacy through a planned gift. Include the CASA/GAL Board Volunteer Association of Summit County in your will or trust or name it as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.

Multiply your donation by taking advantage of, or starting, your employer’s matching gift program. Check with your human resources department.

Save on capital gains taxes by making a gift of stock. Instructions for making a stock donation are on the CASA/GAL website.

Honor special people and special occasions with tributes and memorial gifts. Your donation will be acknowledged with a CASA/ GAL card sent to your honoree or their loved ones.

Make a gift today and change the life of an abused and neglected child. Find out how you can donate below.