2017
IMPACT REPORT
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Dear Friends,
While this year brought new challenges and unexpected outcomes for many, for CASA of Los Angeles, Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) was one of incredible growth and positive impact in the lives of the children we serve. Over the last several years, CASA/LA has made capital, technological and human investments in the hope of significantly impacting the lives of children in the child welfare system who have experienced abuse and neglect. In FY17, these investments paid off in a tremendous way! This year, we saw that investing in new recruitment and training staff, developing rigorous evaluation systems and enhancing our physical space and operations, not only led to more children served, but to greater impact in our community and on the child welfare system at large. For 39 years, CASA/LA has been the only organization in Los Angeles providing court-appointed advocates to children in foster care to help them navigate not only the trials of the courtroom, but also the trials of a challenged childhood. Being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is unlike any other volunteer opportunity. CASA volunteers become a critical part of a young person’s life; a stable, steadfast adult who cares about the child over the long term without ever being paid to do so. Serving as a CASA is also a deeply rewarding and positive experience for the volunteer. CASA volunteers witness first-hand the consequences of poverty in our county’s most disadvantaged families and communities. They learn to recognize the challenges children face when they grow up facing trauma and neglect. By helping these extraordinary children succeed, CASA volunteers discover new purpose in their own lives. Last year, we set milestones in nearly every area: • We served more children than ever in CASA/LA history! A 17% increase from the previous year.
The facts and figures looked great for CASA/LA in FY17, but the most important impact we made was in the lives of the children and youth served by our volunteers. CASA volunteers helped their children reunite with their families, helped them find permanent adoptive homes, helped them go to college and helped them receive the health care and education services they need. With over 30,000 children in Los Angeles County’s child welfare system, CASA/LA has much more work ahead of us. There are volunteers to recruit, train and support, and thousands more children, teens and young adults to serve. But we are off to a great start. With your help, we can work towards serving every child in foster care who needs a CASA volunteer. We thank for your support of our organization, and for your belief in the work we do. Sincerely,
949
Children Served with Intensive One-on-One Advocacy
Children Assisted in Court
664
Volunteer Applicants
744
Wende Nichols-Julien Chief Executive Officer
Louis Lucido Chair, Board of Directors
4,097
Total CASA Volunteers
324
New Volunteers
• We trained 319 new volunteers and set a record for new volunteer recruitment! • As a result of our database and tracking, we were able to accurately measure the significant impact we make in the lives of the children and young adults we serve! • We ended the year in the black for the first time in three years without cutting staff!
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Don’s Investigation Found a Stable and Loving Home for Marcus
Our Mission CASA of Los Angeles mobilizes community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Every time a CASA is assigned to a case, they are given a court report about the child they will soon serve. The report includes the entire history of the case at hand, including any initial allegations and the court’s attempts at placement. But what new CASA Don Gustavson did not expect is that his case file would also contain the key to changing one boy’s life. When Don first met Marcus*, he wasn’t sure how he could help the young boy. Marcus had been removed from his mother’s care at the age of 5 due to abuse and neglect. His father was in custody, and his mother had been consumed by addiction. By the time Marcus had reached seven years old, he was in his sixth foster home, and after only six months, his then foster parent had already asked that he be removed. However, upon meeting the then 7-year old Marcus, Don discovered a sweet, polite, and bright boy. Unfortunately, due to past trauma, Marcus had learned to engage in certain emotional behaviors that impacted him both at school and in his foster home. As Don fought to keep Marcus in his foster home at least until after the holidays, he began to search for where Marcus might next make his home. And Don could only hope it might be a more permanent one.
Don remembered seeing a name that was briefly mentioned by Marcus’s father in a court report – someone who was once alleged to be the boy’s paternal grandmother. Don immediately called the woman who was known as Grandma Willis*. She told Don that she had been waiting years to hear from someone about Marcus, who she had only known as an infant. At that time, her family had discovered through a DNA test that her son was not Marcus’s biological father. It was because of this that she was excluded as a potential placement. However, Grandma Willis didn’t care. As she told Don, she loved Marcus as her grandson and wanted to foster him. Don immediately began to advocate for Marcus to be reconnected with his “grandmother” who was able to provide a stable home for the young boy. Don also secured a licensed and consistent therapist for Marcus who started to help with his behavior issues. Over the next two years, Marcus found his home with Grandma Willis and began thriving. In November 2017, that home became permanent when Marcus was officially adopted by Grandma Willis. Don never expected that a case file would save the young boy, but one lost name in that overgrown file has forever changed Marcus’s life. *names have been changed to protect parties involved
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ADVOCACY OUTCOMES
CASA/LA
+
CHILDREN
949
=
20%
children continued receiving advocacy from FY16
48%
47%
38%
52% 48% <1%
served
5%
<1 %
of CASAs held educational rights
Gender of CASA Children Male Female Transgender
Age Range of CASA Children 13% Ages 0-5 21% Ages 6-11 47% Ages 12-17 20% Ages 18+
13% 21%
+ 451 = 949 new children appointed to CASA volunteers
with One-on-One Advocacy
<1 %
IMPACT 52%
498
Children Served
1.8
years average time a CASA is on a case until closure
Race/Ethnicity of CASA Children 42% African-American 41% Hispanic/Latino 11% Caucasian/Non-Latino <1% Asian <1% Native American 5% Other
42%
41%
11% <1 %
ADVOCACY GOALS AND OUTCOMES 100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
PERMANENCY SAFETY
66%
experienced improved outcomes
75%
experienced improved outcomes
55%
of all closed cases achieved a stable home placement
4,097
WELL-BEING
77%
Children Served
through Day of Court Assistance
adoptive home
experienced improved outcomes
home of parent
For over twenty-five years, volunteer court assistants have provided “day-of court� advocacy for children and youth who are experiencing their first time in court, or are attending court without a guardian or escort.
home of relative legal guardian
The Shelter Care program helps to orient youth in foster care to courtroom procedures, with volunteers escorting them to court appointments and hearings, and waiting for them throughout the day. For many youth, their time in court is a terrifying experience. Having a court assistant with them can help alleviate their fears, and help them feel supported by an adult who has their best interests at heart. Last year, CASAs helped 4,097 children with this court assistance.
independent living program college or university housing 175 cases closed with baseline + closure data
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7
OUR CASA VOLUNTEERS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Fiscal Year 2017
In FY17, 744 people volunteered their time as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children in LA County’s child welfare system who have experienced abuse and neglect. They share a common belief: that every child deserves a chance to thrive in a permanent safe home and that CASA of Los Angeles can make a difference for the most vulnerable children in Los Angeles County.
REVENUE
10% 6% 18%
10%
19%
1,758,439
Foundations
CASA/LA recruits, trains and supports CASA volunteers to work with each child individually to ensure the child gets the support and services they need. CASA creates a crucial connection—one caring adult to one child in need—that can be the turning point in a life that has been disrupted. Our most significant accomplishments happen every day—when an overlooked opportunity is found, a service is secured or an adult connection is made that will help to keep a child safe and give them an opportunity to succeed in life.
Special Events
1,339,700
Individuals
700,093
Government
198,960
Corporate
59,028
Civic/Faith
8,360
In-kind
3,054,245
7,118,825
8%
24 % 10%
3%
1% <1%
43%
Foundations
Special Events
Individuals
Government
Corporate
Civic/Faith
In-kind
82%
Gender of CASA Volunteers Female 82% Male 18%
66%
EXPENSE
Race/Ethnicity of CASA Volunteers Caucasian 66% African-American 10% Hispanic 10% Asian 6% Other 8%
Volunteer Training and Services
462,468
Management and General
356,864
1,027,610
6,961,228
Fundraising
19%
20%
546,318
Recruiting and Outreach
15%
4,567,968
Advocacy
5% 7% 65% 8%
17%
26% 18%
Age Range of CASA Volunteers 20% Ages 21 – 35 17% Ages 36 – 45 18% Ages 46 – 54 26% Ages 55 – 65 19% Ages 66+
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9
Advocacy
Volunteer Training & Services
Management & General
Fundraising
Recruiting & Outreach
Ernie’s Advocacy Turned Crystal and Shiloh’s Lives Around When CASA volunteer, Ernie Acosta met Crystal, she was a shy and quiet 15-year-old who was removed from her mother’s care along with her baby brother Shiloh, who was 6 months old at the time. With their father deported, their mother began to struggle with mental illness and was found homeless with Shiloh. After being detained, both children were released to live with their grandmother on a “home of parent” order. Ernie began to spend a lot of time with the children, in particular Crystal, to get to know their situation. Crystal’s grandmother only spoke Spanish and was unable to read or write. Since Ernie spoke Spanish, he was able to translate all court documents for her. In addition, Ernie discovered that the “home of parent” order prevented their grandmother from receiving health care and financial services for the children so he asked the court to remove the order so they would qualify for services. Crystal was struggling with issues that were affecting her self-esteem. Because of this, she had no desire to go to school and did not have any interests or any adult connections with anyone. She was attending continuation school and was mostly absent. Some of these issues were attributed to the dental work that she badly needed. Ernie found a dental clinic that provided all pro-bono services for her. This completely changed Crystal’s life. It boosted her confidence and gave her hope.
Getting to school was also a struggle for Crystal. Ernie let her know that taking public transportation was an option if she wanted to go to school. To ensure she got there, for three days, he rode the bus to school with her until she was comfortable on her own. Ernie was also in contact with her teachers and counselors to make sure Crystal was on track to graduate. Gradually, Crystal’s grades improved and she began earning A’s and B’s. She graduated from continuation school in her junior year and was awarded “Most Improved Student” before transferring to a traditional high school for her senior year. Last year, Ernie was nominated for the CASA of the Year award by a children’s court judge for turning Crystal’s life around and keeping the family together. The case was closed in November 2017, and the children continue to thrive with their grandmother. Crystal told Ernie that while she was relieved to be with her family, she was concerned that she wouldn’t see him as much anymore. Ernie reminded Crystal that he was blessed to have her in his life, and that no matter what their friendship would only continue to grow.
Our Vision A Los Angeles in which every child in the child welfare system has an advocate and the opportunity to thrive.
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CASA VOLUNTEERS Ernie Acosta Valerie Addas Safiah Afify Joseph Ahdoot Jeffrey Ames Sofia Ames Elizabeth Anderson Jim Anderson Minor Anderson Scott Anderson Tyrone Anderson Eyonna Andreatte Natalie Andres Marjorie Annapav* May Arakaki* Anita Aratow Robert Argo Daniella Arias Talia Arica Barbara Arlow Christine Armenta Trudy Armer* Jacquelyn Armstrong Melissa Arnson Samia Arslane Jennifer Arvidson Heidi Ashcraft Paul Ashmore Kimberley Askew Sarah Avalon Maida Aviad Galina Babadzhanyan Bette Jo Babcock* Ann Bailey Rebecca Bailey Rachel Baker Bobak Bakhtiari Toni Balch Cory Bales Polly Bamberger Eve Banuelos Kathy Barrett Johnson* Susan Barry Lisa Baskin Sarah Baumann Gloria Bazis* Judy Beckmen* Cadena Bedney Christine Beilinson Mary Ann Bell Thomas Bell Jane Belzberg Jodi Berman Levine Erin Berman Keith Bernstein Samuel Bernstein William Betts Gayatri Bhasin Aishwarya Bhave Louise Bieschke Renne Bilson Pamela Bingham* Jan Black* Janet Blair Christy Boardman* Meghan Boehman Neda Bolourchi Honor Boone Caitlin Bothwell Karen Bowles Pamela Bowman Catherine Boyd Harriet Boyd Tania Bradkin Emily Branam Luciana Brancorsini Susan Brandler* Nancy Brashears Laurence Braude Maria Brenes Irma Breslauer* Jannette R. Brice* Claudia Bright Amy Brown Dana Brown Rhonda Brown Samantha Browning Barbara Bruner Lois Brunet Robyn Buecker Betsy Burch Rinarda Burnley Paul Bustrum Alexis Butler Jill Cady William “Mark” Caffee Monica Caldas
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Joyce Campbell Claudia Cano Alice Cao Mariangela Caraballo Linda Caravana Amy Carbo Kamille Carruthers Norman Carter Rita Carton Yvette Casas Jennifer Caudillo Andrea Cavanaugh Adele Chadwick Wrenn Chais Aaron Chan Hana Chang Stefanie Chin Talia-Farrah Chism Paulette Chulack Camrin Christensen Mary Cilic Sinead Clancy Holly Clark Jane Clausen Cathleen Cobb Virginia Coffin Edward Cohan Stacey Cohan Julie Cohen Christian Collins Marie Connolly Kelly Cook Deanna Cooke Stephen Cooper Joel Cortez Lauren Costa Denise Cote Andrew Cox Carolyn Craddock Michele Craig Oona Cremata David Crocker Adina Crow Jason Cruze Patricia Cuocco Charles Currey Craig Curtis Krystine Curtis Angelina Da Costa Erika Danko Cindy Dardon Karen Darling William Davidson Cynthia De Nuno Paul Del Rosario Mandy Denaux David Denning Robert DeRing Jessyca Dewey Christie Diaz Karen Diaz Marta Dimchenko Sonum Dixit Barbara Dixon Emily Dixon Erika Dizon Alison Doherty Kelly Dollens Fang Ming “Michelle” Dong Candice Dottin Susan Douglas De Anna Dove Melissa Dragge Jan Drayer Gary Duboff Monica Duke Daniel Duncan Charlotte Dunnam Mary Ellen Dunne Linda Dutcher Julie Dwyer Elsa Elbert Sharon R. Ellingsen Ronda Elsayed Beatrice Dale Emerman Julie Engelman Rosemary Enzer Azize Erim Daisy Esqueda Karen Eyres Stella Fabinyi Kathryn Fagerquist Sheila Fairley Beverly-Jo Farzin-Nia Kenneth Feick Harry Finkel Carolyn Finkenbeiner
Robbie Finnigan Virginia Fitzgerald Susan Fitzpatrick Behrens Christine Fleming Anita Flores Aurora Flores Abraham Flores-Rojo Luyani Fong Roberto Fonseca Shirley Ford Kari Fortson James Fossett Catherine Foulkes-Sutton Lisa Foux Dayra Frantela Mary Freedman Jesse Freeman Betty Freitag Nancy Friedman Susan Friedman Mary Ann Friedrich Ranko Fukuda Kammie Furman Nelson Galloway Siyan Gan Fernando Garcia Regina Garcia Rocio Garcia Andres Garduno Allyson Gartside Jennifer Anne Gerich Lisa Gerson Saina Ghandchi Linda Ghazarian Robert Giffin Melanie Gifford Aimee Gill Eneyew Girma Phillip Gisi Alyssa Gjedsted* Janet Gleason Betsy Gleijeses Phyllis Elaine Glock Christine Goddard Beth Godfrey Thomas Goff Edward Goldstein Joyce Goldstein Marcy Goldstein Sonia Gomez Alba Gonzalez Deisi Gonzalez Dawn Goodman Sean Grady Sheila Grady Victoria Grandsoult Polly Grant Brandy Green Jennifer Green Glen Greenfield Ariel Greenspun-Gale Cindy Greenwald Joan Griffith-Malloy Michelle Grimaldi Ronald Grover Sandra Grunsell Stefanie Guarino Nastasha Guerrero Sandra H. Guerrero Shari Gulian Donald Gustavson Cheryl Guy Lisa Guzman Patty Guzman Lori Haas Lynda Hadjian* Elizabeth Hagan Richard Halke Patrice Hallman Alberta Hampton Smith Diana Hanbury Audrey Handelman Danielle Hanne Ana Hanson Kari Hanson Amanda Harris Amber Hartgens Amos Hartston Fiona Harwich Maria Fagan Hassani Madison Hathaway Virginia Hatley Tanya Hauer Marcellina Hawthorne Adis Hayrapetyan Edvis Hayrapetyan Sara Hein
Elizabeth Hely Sarah Henderson Kathleen Hennessey Naomi Hentschel Candice Herman Samuel Herod Lainie Herrera Michael Bruce Herron Susan Herron Lynne Hill Bernstein Beverly Hill Katherine Hill Joyce Hobbs Robert Hofland Abbe Hofstein Paula Rene Hollins Robin Hollis Mary Holmes Tammy Hong Christine Hood Ricki-Beth Horowitz Mary Jane Horton Mona Houghton Joel Howard Kristie Hubbard Vanessa Hubert Cynthia Hudley Athena Hunter Nikki Hunt-Hicks Claudia Huntington Robert Hurley Karen Ide Grace Imamura Jasmine Irons-Anokute Larry Irvin Patriece Isaac Rachel Iverson Amy Jacobs Lindsey Jacobs Lynette Jacobson Danica Jaimeson Lynn James Janet Jan Ardelle Jarvis Florence “Flo” Jeanes Dona Jeffery Sarah Jesse Beverly Johnson Elisa Johnson Kathy Barrett Johnson Nina Johnson Pamela Johnson Porscha Johnson Margaret “Peggy” Johnston Tiffany Joiner Ashley Jones Delphia Jones Frances Jones Jena Jones* Sallie Jones Susan Kandel Wynn Kaneshiro Joan Kaplan Margaret Kaplan Patricia Kaplan Nirja Kapoor Jenny Karns Melissa Kasek Brooke Kassap-Ritter Harvinder Kaur Daniel Keatinge Linda Keefer Amanda Keenan Diana Keeney Lisa Kelton Martha Kennedy Barbara Kernochan Patricia Key Mana Khafaf Fonda Khuu Angie Kim Brian Kim Faith (Young) Kim Nayeon Kim Edward “Cameron” King Llonald King Karin Kingsley Serena Kirk Karen Klein Linda Klein Linda Koch Ashley Koester Courtney Koester Mary Korsan Genese KouaKoua Cynthia Koudsi Susan Kowalski
*FY2017 Court Assistants
Jane Krantz Suzanne Kraus Rebecca Krause Kathryn Krenz Gail Krieger Sharon Krischer* Tina Kuah Lisa Kwon Ming-huei Lam Kali Lamarine Lisa L’Anson Robert Lassiter Louise Latham Susan Latigay Jennifer Laughlin Farah Lavassani Carolyn Leach Yaneli Leal Francesca Leardini Jenny Lee Joan Lee* Lai Lydia Lee Marvin Lee Mindy Lees Ariella Lehrer Marsha Leibovici Jane Lerum Linda Levine Maya Levinson Julie Levy Margaret Lewis Tiffany Lewis Matthew Lifschultz Laura Liguori Marysabel Linares van Denker Jennifer Linck Lauren Linde Nicole Linkletter Rachel Lipp Anhjia Lisbey Paul Lister Meghan Loftin Mark Logan Roy Longman Diana Lopez Fred Lopez Irma Lopez Andrica Love Katrina Love Fred Lowe Heather Lucas Tracy Lynn Cambron Barbara Macbeth Pam Macdonald Joan MacLaughlin* Shanon Madrigal Melanie Makaiwi Dorothy Maki Kathleen Malaske-Samu Kathleen Malone-Biener Teri Marias Tisha Marinella Cheryl Marino Julie Markowitz Richard Martin* Enrique Martinez Robin Martinez Solalie Martinez Courtney Massie Janet Mata Mary Matzke Leora Mauck Catherine McAfee Chelsea McBride Deborah McCall Dawn McClendon Taylor McCormick Nina McCullaugh Jane McCullough Elois McGehee Rhonda McGonigle Sandy McGorty Lindsay McHugh Pamela McKniff Wendy McLaren Catherine McMahon Tritia Medrano Shivani Mehta Anthony Mejia Michael Melon Jessy Melowicz Jamie Melzer Elsie Mendoza Lucy Mendoza Brianna Mercado Georgia Mercer Mareline Merlan
*FY2017 Court Assistants
Jamarcia Merritt Jose Maria Mesa John Meyer Judith Meyers Carol Meylan Jan McCoy Miller* Joseph Miller Nancy Miller Anne Mirisch Donald Mixon MaryAnn Mogab Deborah Moisio Leticia Mojarro Linda Mokler Michael Monte Jane Monterroso Lizbet Montoya Juarez Catherine Moon Dianne Moonves* Kristianna Moralls Jaclyn Moran Mary “Molly” Moran Lauren Moylan Elizabeth Mozilo Mark Mrotek Rubaina Mumtaz Molly Murray Peter Musso Abby Myerson Judy Nagy Suzanne “Suzy” Nastaskin Iryna Naumova Sherlan Neblett* Martha Needelman John Neill* Regina Nelson Margaret “Margo” Neufeld Sarah Neusch Natalie Nevin Phillip Nevin Jeff Newman Diem Ngo Christine Nguyen Vy Nguyen Steven Novak Cinthya Nurik Johanne Oakley Stella Ocampo Timothy O’Donnell Alexis Olbrei Carolyn Olsen Ellen O’Neill Justine O’Neill Zoya Orgiyvsky Alicia Orozco Christopher Ortega* Jill Paider Carmen Paparella Diana Park Jill Parker Hethie Parmesano Lauren Pasternak Deborah Patrick Patricia Peach Toni Peck Dana Pehrson Kelli Penner Emily Peraza Diana Perez Marilyn Perez-Garcia Robert Perkins Siddharth Pershad Dawn Peterson Marcy Pettitt Debra Phillips Melinda Pike Lynn Pittenger Amanda Plisner Leslie Podolsky Laurel Polson Marci Pool Anthony Porter Lisa Pound-Sciupac Tina Powell Patricia Preston Wesley Procino Alma Puente Ann Radow Manuel Ramirez Sheila Ramirez Ellen Rand* Marlene Rapkin Richard Saintcroix Redman Ellen Rehak Amira Resnick Patricia Restrepo Elva Reyes
Neil Reynolds Sondra Reynolds Judy Rezvani Amy Ricafranca Debbie Richardson Tab Richmond Dyer Morgan Ricketts Roger Alan Ridlehoover Gerald Riggs Liuska Rincon Ordonez Renee Rivera Jason Roach Elise Roberts Michael Rochmes Angeles Rodas Courtney Rodgers Dayna Rodriguez Laura Rodriguez Shelly Rosekelly Judith Rosen Norma Rosen Marcia Rosenberg Ken Rosenblatt Darren Rosenzweig Thelma Rosiak Charlotte Ross Mark Ross Melanie Ross Petrina Ross Andrea Rothschild Barbara Roy Britteny Rudd Howard Rumjahn Karen Sachs Jerri Safron Leticia Sanchez-Perez Carl Sanders Shannon Sandhu Helen Satorius Amanda Sattler Jim Scheinberg JoAnn Schiff Vincent Schodolski Janice Schultz Helen Louise Schwartz Linda Schwartz Donna Scott Paula Scott Lia Seabold Abby Segall Allison Segan Nicholas Seitz Erika Sellin Jason Sellnow Rebecca Sellnow Deena Semler Jenny Seyfried Shameka Shaheed Maya Shalev Julie Shamash Irene Shandell Gail Shaw Hawkins Lisa Ann Sheasgreen-Hall Eileen Sheiniuk Miriam Shenfeld Alfred Sicard Carol Sida Nicholas “Nick” Sidney Susan Siegmund Joanne Silva Lisa-Marie Silver Sandra Sims Gary Skinner Paul Slavich* Alexander Smith Leslie Smith Roxann Smith Cibennie Snaer Patricia Soto Flournoy Julie Spacht Ron Sparks* Doreen Spencer Carol Spiegel Grannetta Springer Sharon Stacey Glenn Stanford Jennifer Stanley Barbara Steelman Lisa Steen Proctor Aliza “Lee” Stein David Stein Drew Steinberg Julie Stockton James Stoecker Jonathan Stoeckly Zac Stone Stephanie Stricklin
Virginia Stringer Michal Sudit Suellen Symons Farinaz Taidi Courtney Tallman Isabella Tan Kim Tashman Stephanie Tassart David Taylor William “Arnold” Taylor Circe Tejada-Flores Vera Terrell Laura Thede Jenna Thelemaque Sandra Thomas Miyoko Thompson Vanessa Thornton Jamie Tierney Lisa Tobias Cassandra Tomlin Brittany Tracy Karen Joan Travis Kathleen Tremblay Lauren Trenor Carol Truscott Brad Tsai Michael Tucker Kimberly Turner Toi Turner Edith Tyler Sarah Ullman Rosa Valdes Kay Van Horn Ida VanderPoorte Jaime Vane Elizabeth “Beth” Varner Michelle Estrada Vasquez Sandra Vega Matthew Villasenor James Vincini Roumiana Voutchkova Renee Wachter Theresa Waid Lesley Wake Rebecca Waldera Jodi Walker-Lowe Katherine Wallace Terri Walters Lisa Ward Mather Douglas Ware Rebecca Wareham J. Alan Warfield Gilmara Washington Julie Wason Robert Weaver* Alanna Weisberg Ilana Weiss Jennifer Weissmuller Ronald Wendell Stewart* Jessica West Maureen Wharton Gina Whisenant Ann Whitbeck Erika White Victoria White Barbara Whitman Barbara Whittenburg Christine Wicksell Polly Widen Alison S. Wilcox Anita Williams Darnell Williams Doug Williams Francee Williams Melanie Williams Regan Williams Sonjia Williams Jean Ann Wilson* Jennifer Winkler Leina Wong May-Ann Woolsey Andrea Worrall Eric Worthington Denise Wright Deborah Wyle Madeline Yarbrough Denise Yeh Andrea Yochim Jean Youngquist Agnes Zamir David Zaro Yvonne Zaro Molly Zbojniewicz Liliya Zherebnenko Marie Zondler* Harold Zuckerman Tami Zussman
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Court Appointed Special Advocates support children in LA County’s child welfare system who have experienced abuse and neglect You can impact the life of a child who needs a CASA volunteer and give them the hope of a better future.
Lainie’s Advocacy Brought Mia’s Family Back Together Again Mia* was just 3-years-old when she was removed from her parent’s care and sent to live with her great grandmother and great aunt. It appeared that Mia would be separated from her parents indefinitely until they took the necessary measures to be reunited with her. It was during this time that Mia began to act out in preschool, which was very unlike her, causing her to be sent home multiple times. When CASA volunteer Lainie first met Mia, she was able to connect the toddler with mental health programs to help address the classroom behavior. Meanwhile, Mia’s parents were going through the process of seeking services for themselves so they could be reunited with her which was the most important thing to them. They had one goal in mind – to do everything they could to bring Mia home. However, they often found it stressful to have to manage everything with the dependency court. In addition to maintaining full-time employment, Mia’s parents were under court order to complete counseling and parenting programs. They also continued daily visits with Mia to maintain normalcy in her life as much as possible.
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The first step in becoming a CASA volunteer is attending an information session. Sessions are held throughout LA County. Register online at www.casala.org/volunteer or learn more by emailing volunteer@casala.org.
Don’t have the time to volunteer? Make a gift to support someone who does. If you would like to support the work of our volunteers, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. You can also make gifts in honor of friends or loved ones, gifts of stocks and other securities, matching gifts, and bequests and other planned gifts. CASA/LA also hosts an annual Evening to Foster Dreams gala, Wine+Art event, Help Us Hold Their Hands Antelope Valley Benefit and other fundraising events throughout the year. For more information, email donate@casala.org or call 323.859.2888.
By having Lainie there, they were reassured of the process and found comfort that a CASA was there to provide an unbiased opinion in the best interest of their child. Lainie was also able to create an open dialogue between Mia’s parents and her great aunt so Mia could benefit from similar parenting styles. Mia is now back at home with her parents and the case was closed in August 2017.
*child’s name has been changed to protect her identity
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Board of Directors (current) Louis Lucido, Board Chair
Doubleline Capital LP
Steve Carlston, Vice Chair
NBC4 Southern California
Edward Nahmias, Treasurer
Capital Group Companies (retired)
Lori Kozak, Secretary
Fox Rothschild LLP
Frank Addante
Rubicon Project
Alicia Anderson
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Judy Beckmen
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Steve Bloom
Frandzel Robins Bloom & Csato, L.C.
Jean Youngquist, Executive Committee At-Large
Retired Principal, Court Appointed Special Advocate
Minji Cho
Harriet Zaretsky, Executive Committee At-Large
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Terri Durham
Activision Blizzard
Bruce Herron
Retired Executive, Court Appointed Special Advocate
Turner Impact Capital
Jeremy Davies, OBE
PricewaterhouseCoopers (retired)
Jennifer Hinman Jacqueline Dolan
Founding President
Capital Group Companies
Jason Levin
Gafni & Levin, LLP
Erica Mangham
Lupus Research Alliance
Lynn McKenzie
KPMG LLP
Allyson Pfeifer
Doubleline Capital LP
Ray Randall
Retired Executive
Frances Ridlehoover
Jensen + Partners
Johna Rivers
Former Foster Youth and Filmmaker
Dayna Rodriguez
Court Appointed Special Advocate
AJ Safavi
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
George Sapp Thomas Smith
U.S. Bancorp Services Oaktree Capital Management, LP (retired)
Carolyn Toto
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Thomas Turner
Grandpoint Bank
NanLan Ye
Trust Company of the West
Staff (current) Wende Nichols-Julien Arlene Anguiano
Chief Executive Officer Advocate Supervisor
Rosa Arevalo
Advocacy Team Manager
Jasmine Bass
Advocate Supervisor
Bob Berman Melanie Berringer Lesley Bois Marie Carpenter Kerry Chow Camrin Christensen
Chief Financial Officer Volunteer Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator Advocate Supervisor Individual Giving Manager Accounting Manager Volunteer Recruitment & Outreach Director
Caryn Cortez
Advocate Supervisor
Tammy Dietrich
Advocate Supervisor
Maggie Egan
Advocate Supervisor
Lynne Gabriel
Volunteer Services Director
Yara Gharib Tara Grand Lauri Halderman Dan Hanley
Executive Assistant Special Events Manager Advocate Supervisor Chief Development Officer
201 Centre Plaza Drive, #1100 Monterey Park, CA 91754 323.859.2888
Sylvia LaMalfa
Chief Operating Officer
Aimee Leonard
Advocacy Team Manager
Sharon Lim
Volunteer Services Assistant
Adriana Lopez
Advocate Supervisor
Maegan Mattock
Advocacy Team Manager
Carolyn McGee Kristen McGuiness
Advocate Supervisor Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager
Betsy Ann Mudd Tayler Paskal
Volunteer Services Coordinator Volunteer Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator
Eve Porinchak
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Jeremy Remy
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Josh Saxelby-Valle Susan Shiells
ETO Help Desk Volunteer Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator
Simone Sterling Michelle Struthers Jessica Vallejo Ludivina Vasquez Alex Zambrano
1040 West Avenue J, Room 1130 Lancaster, CA 93534 661.723.CASA (2272)
Special Events Coordinator Quality Assurance Manager Data & Reporting Manager Advocate Supervisor Advocacy Program Assistant
18050 Vanowen Street Reseda, CA 91335
For a list of 2017 funders, please visit: casala.org/major-donors