MADISON COUNTY CASA WELCOMES NEW VOLUNTEERS

Madison County CASA welcomes four new advocates to the program. The advocates were sworn in on April 21, 2009, by Judge Christy Little, inside the Juvenile Courtroom located at 110 Irby Street in Jackson. The CASA program recruits, screens, and trains community volunteers to be advocates for children because of abuse or neglect. Find out how you can be the difference for an abused child by calling Oreyanna Jones, Director of Programs, at 731-427-5554.

From left to right: Terri Morey, Brandie Stewart, Oreyanna Jones,
Felicia Richard, Judge Christy Little and Rodney Gray

“CASA IS LOOKING FOR TEACHERS!”

Madison County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is searching for teachers to participate in the daytime training class to become a child advocate. The training class will be from 9:00am-4:00pm Monday, June 1, 2009 through Friday, June 5, 2009. This training is designed to provide volunteers the opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a CASA volunteer. Included in the training are sessions on courtroom procedure, effective advocacy techniques, court reporting, child development, and adolescent behavior.

A CASA volunteer is someone like you who is willing to stand up for abused and neglected children. A large percentage of these children are in foster care. They need a voice in court to help them find permanency in a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible, whether that means returning to a parent, placement with a relative, or adoption. The CASA volunteer provides that voice by sharing recommendations with the court addressing the best interests of the child. It is important work and requires a commitment of time (10 to 15 hours per month), energy, and heart.

To apply to be a CASA volunteer, an application can be found on the Madison County CASA website, www.madisoncountycasa.org, or by calling Madison County CASA at 731-427-5554. Applicants will be asked to provide three personal references and pass a criminal record check. For more information, please contact Oreyanna Jones, Director of Madison County Programs, at 731-427-5554 or by e-mailing casavolcoord@charterinternet.com.

Get ready to take a trip to Morocco!!
Greetings!
 

Are your bags packed?  Are your head rest and tray table in an upright position?  Ready for an amazing evening?  Save the date for CASAblanca 2009, A night in Morocco!!  Saturday, October 17th 6:30 pm at the Jackson Country Club.  Belly dancers, diamonds and cocktails...Oh My!!  See why CASAblanca was the best event of 2008 and help us make it the best event again this year!!   

CASA IS SEARCHING FOR NEW ADVOCATES!
HELP BRING A SMILE TO A CHILD’S FACE IN 2009

Madison County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) will select the next class of advocates for the upcoming training class. This training class will be from 5:30pm-8:30pm on the following nights: Monday, March 30; Tuesday, March 31; Thursday, April 2; Monday, April 6; Tuesday, April 7; Thursday, February 9; Monday, April 13; and Tuesday, April 14. This training is designed to provide volunteers the opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a CASA volunteer. Included in the training are sessions on courtroom procedure, effective advocacy techniques, court reporting, child development, and adolescent behavior.

A CASA volunteer is someone like you who is willing to stand up for abused and neglected children. A large percentage of these children are in foster care. They need a voice in court to help them find permanency in a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible, whether that means returning to a parent, placement with a relative, or adoption. The CASA volunteer provides that voice by sharing recommendations with the court addressing the best interests of the child. It is important work and requires a commitment of time (10 to 15 hours per month), energy, and heart.

To apply to be a CASA volunteer, an application can be found on the Madison County CASA website, www.madisoncountycasa.org, or by calling Madison County CASA at 731-427-5554. Applicants will be asked to provide three personal references as well as pass a criminal records check. For more information, please contact Oreyanna Jones, Director of Madison County Programs, at 731-427-5554 or by e-mailing casavolcoord@charterinternet.com.

Madison County CASA and Agape Child and Family Services Present Infant Adoption Awareness Training

Greetings! Please be our guest... This training is free and open to the public.

Infant Adoption Awareness Training by Harmony Adoptions is presented by AGAPE Child and Family Services and hosted by Madison County CASA. This free training is designed to help you understand infant adoption and how to better work with women with unplanned pregnancies.

WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2009 W
HERE: Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette, Jackson TN 38301 WHAT TIME: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
QUESTIONS? Call Amy Jones at 731 427 5554 or email casadirector@charterinternet.com for more information.

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. Free contact hours/CEUs for Nurses and Social Workers

CASA NEEDS AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN WILLING TO STAND UP FOR A CHILD IN COURT

Madison County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has a critical need for African American men who are willing to speak up for children who have been abused and neglected. A CASA volunteer is an advocate for children who find themselves involved in the Juvenile Court system through no fault of their own. The children have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care or placed with relatives. Sometimes the children are left with no one to speak on their behalf. They need a voice in court to help them find permanency in a safe, stable home as quickly as possible, whether that means returning to parents, placement with a relative, or adoption. The CASA volunteer provides that voice by sharing recommendations with the court addressing the best interests of the child. It is important work and requires a commitment of time (10 to 15 hours per month), energy, and heart.

Right now, more than 2/3 of the children served by CASA are African American, and 60% are boys. But only 11% of our volunteer team is male. These boys need strong, positive male role models to give them someone to depend on. If you can be that person for a young man in our community, please call CASA today.

To apply to be a CASA volunteer, an application can be found on the Madison County CASA website, www.madisoncountycasa.org, or by calling Madison County CASA at 731-427-5554. Applicants will be asked to provide three personal references as well as pass a criminal records check. For more information, contact Oreyanna Jones, Director of Madison County Programs, at 731-427-5554 or by e-mailing casavolcoord@charterinternet.com.

Madison County CASA Honors Advocate of the Quarter

Madison County CASA is excited to honor Bianca Chance as our Advocate of the Quarter. Bianca joined CASA on March 18, 2008. "CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. Bianca, a telemarketing agent, brings knowledge of criminology, child development, and child care to our program." said Oreyanna Jones, Director of Programs for Madison County CASA. Bianca says she got involved with CASA because "It stood out to me. It is something that I can dedicate my time to and something I enjoy." Some of Bianca's hobbies include cooking and playing basketball. Bianca is married to Timothy Bryant and they have two children. Thank you, Bianca, for your extraordinary dedication to abused and neglected children in your county.

Free Pizza Party for your Church Group, Employee Team, or Civic Group

Are you part of a group that would like to help CASA and enjoy some fun and fellowship at the same time? Are you looking for a way to help CASA but don't have alot of time or money? Consider hosting a letter writing party for CASA. We'll provide the pizza, you provide the participants. For more information, call Lindsey Homra-Siroky at 731 444 0676.

CASA Nominated for Pinnacle Award

We are so excited to announce that CASA has been nominated for a prestigious Pinnacle Award in the nonprofit category. The Jackson-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award recognize excellence in businesses and nonprofit organizations in the community. Winners will be announced at the Pinnacle Awards Banquet in March.