Lexington Connection

Fall 2010

CASA of Lexington
Board of Directors
Joe Schuler
President
Jane Bennington
Vice President
Kae Cooper
Secretary
Carolyn Looff
Treasurer
Appointed
Larry Forrester
Cameron Shoaf
Spencer Templin
Anne Vandervort
Brittany Blackburn
Pam Weeks
Ex-Officio
Carolyn Carpenter
Priscilla Gales
Jim Root

FROM OUR DIRECTOR
In addition to all the direct services that we provide to our CASA Kids, a lot is happening at our agency. Below is a quick snapshot of some projects.
First, we have moved our office back to the location in the lower level of the Coleman House at 1155 Red Mile Place. Our entrance is on the side to the right of the front entrance of the building-look for our CASA sign which has been attached to the building over our door.
We are in need of dedicated, mission driven community members to join our Board of Directors! Vacancies exist due to terms expiring which need to be filled. If you, or anyone you know, might be interested in making a impact on helping children not only survive, but thrive, please contact the office for more information. Please also visit our website at www.lexingtoncasa.com.
One of the initiative that we are working on this year is to increase our presence in the community. Due to the confidential nature of the work we do with children, many people are unaware of our services. We are seeking opportunities to present our organization at various venues. Please contact me at 246-4334 with any contacts you may have which would be helpful with this outreach initiative.
Another initiative that we are working on is increasing the diversity of our volunteer advocate pool. We have a particular need for males, persons which are from diverse backgrounds, and/or bi-lingual individuals.
Finally, CASA is participating in the GoodGiving.net initiative of the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Donors will soon be able to go to either agency website and receive a full agency profile. This unique online resource is a means for donors to review comprehensive, validated data about our mission, governance and finances, and our adherence to “best practices”. Links to the site are slated to go “live” by late November. Please watch for further notices concerning this initiative.

Debi

Mark Your Calendars!!
5th of each month: Volunteer report on hours of service due in CASA office-please use due diligence!
November 11 & 12: Kentucky CASA State Conference: Galt House, Louisville. Visit www.kycasa.org for workshop, registration, and hotel information.
November 15th-Angel Tree Forms on CASA Kids due in CASA office.
November 18th-CASA CASINO NIGHT-Crowne Plaza 7:00-midnight: come join the fun! Real gaming, music, etc.
November 24th- Angel Tree kick off at the downtown Hilton.
Mid December: Holiday gathering: Location and time TBA

CASA of Lexington Staff
Debra King, MSW CSW
Director , 246-4313
debrak@lexingtonky.gov
Rachel Bailey, BSW
Volunteer Coordinator,
246-4317
rbailey@lexingtonky.gov
Colleen West, MSW CSW
Volunteer Coordinator,
246-4315
cwest@lexingtonky.gov

Advocate Spotlight-Ranetta Wells

Renetta Wells grew up in Elizabethtown but has lived in the Bluegrass region for the past 21 years. She completed her CASA training in the fall of 2009, was sworn in by Judge Joann Wise that December, then took her first case shortly thereafter. She has been an explemplary advocate ever since which is no surprise as Renetta reports that she loves being a CASA. Renetta has brought her life experiences to her advocacy work in a positive manner. She grew up in a home plagued by alcoholism and domestic violence. Renetta learned first hand how detrimental such issues can be on a child and committed bringing her own four children up differently, and, committed toward helping those in need. Renetta and her husband David’s children are now grown though they continue caring for one son who has Downs Syndrome. He is active with Special Olympics where Renetta also volunteers. Previously she sat on a Foster /Care Review Board for five years. At present Renetta also helps her husband manage their horse transportation business. Thank you Renetta for all your compassion, intelligence, commitment, and energy!!

Four New Advocates Sworn into Action!
On August 11th Judge John Schrader conducted a swearing in ceremony for the following newly trained advocates:
Alixandra Gaither
Tamara Halcomb
James Halcomb
Charlotte Vice
Welcome aboard - You are about to embark on a life changing experience!
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Production of this newsletter made possible by a NCASA Sustainability grant and our partners at Stouts Printing

Kudos to:
Connie Malone for returning to active service after a much needed rest! Connie has assumed responsibility for a very complicated case with four children. Thank you!
Melanie Mathis for arranging an invitation to Lex Mark to sell raffle tickets in the cafeteria—especially on a day when they had a great grill out! Thank you!
Kathy Ice Wedding: For her following a very difficult case for 2 years! Thank you and enjoy your mandatory respite time!
Simone Salomon for taking a 2nd complicated case. Thank you!
Missy Maclin for on all her hard work in spear heading our June
Chukkers for Children Charity Polo Match. Thank you!
McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie, & Kirkland law offices for your sponsorship of the Polo Match. Thank you!
Julie Gosky for taking on a 2nd difficult case. Thank you!
Brittany Clark-Friend of CASA for volunteering to help organize our Angel Tree project this year. Thank you!
Spencer Templin Board member who is always our top salesperson
of raffle tickets! Thank you!
Congratulations to Josh Begley on his recent marriage!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Please check what for notice and/or check with office to confirm date & time for our November meeting which will be scheduled around events & the holiday.

RECENT EVENTS
Our Annual CASA 10K Run for Kids’ Sake:
Our third annual run was held on September the 19th at Coldstream Park. We were fortunate to have a gorgeous fall morning for our 120 runners. The race was officiated by Rick Serres. Participants were able to receive on site consultations from Chiro One Wellness staff while enjoying refreshments from Magees Bakery, Kroger, Pepsi and Tropical Smoothie. Several gifts given out from Malone’s, Starbucks, Bella Notte, Mulligan’s Gardenside Café, Clean Sweep Car Wash, and Barnes & Noble. CASA is appreciative of all the support from our runners, workers, and sponsors. Major sponsors were LFUCG, Pepsi, Sullivan University, B B & T, Duncan Machinery Movers, Columbia Gas, Stites & Harbison, XCEED, Sam’s Club, S&S Tire Richmond Rd., Jackie Banahan DMD. Knight Wahle & Chalothorn Orthodontists, Arvin Dentistry, The Kentucky Ctr. For Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Family Practice & Associates, Tropical Smoothie, Events Imaging, & Chiro One. Congratulations to all winners-a complete listing of all age groups and run times can be seen on our website at www.lexingtoncasa.com Overall winners were: Men’s: 1. Zach Sanchez 2. Kyle Waterstone and 3. Herve Antoine. Women’s: 1. Amy Carnile 2. Margaret Maloney and 3. Kirsten Scoggin. Under age 13: Savanna Duff and Carine McCauly and over 70: Danny Place
CASA CASH Raffle: In conjunction with our 10K, we held a raffle this year. We would like to thank all of you that supported our cause by purchasing a ticket, and, say congratulations to Mr. Dan Place and Mr. John Thomas winners of the draws! Each received a $500. check for “taking a chance”!
CASA Playhouse Raffle: During the hot month of July, CASA Board members, staff, and volunteers attended the Bluegrass Fair! We did so, to sell tickets and educated fair attendees about CASA. We had our two fabulous playhouses on display. One house, built by Lexington Firefighters (thank you!) was a replica of Station One or Headquarters located downtown. The other was an “out doorsy” house built by the Home Builders
Association (thank you!). Both houses were a great attraction at the fair and two lucky families had Duncan Machinery Movers deliver the playhouses to their homes! The winners were: Eric Curtis and David Moore. We know their children and friends will enjoy the playhouses for many years to come! CASA would also like to thank all of you that supported our services for abused/neglected children by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Grant Awards
NCASA Award of $40,000.
received! We are pleased to announce that despite stiff
national competition, we have been selected to receive a
Sustainability Grant to assist us in continuing to provide services to CASA Kids throughout the next fiscal year.
Additionally, The Francis Hollis Brain Foundation has awarded us $6,000. to also assist with service provision.
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They will be missed!
Long term ex officio board member, Carolyn Carpenter, has retired from the County Attorney’s office and has therefore vacated her seat on our Board. She plans to relax and enjoy herself for a while, then, return to become one of our child advocates! We will be happy to give her case responsibility!
Colleen West, Volunteer Coordinator, has been offered the opportunity to apply her many skills to another program. Colleen will be leaving her position here to be an Assessment Counselor at the Department for Social Service’s Intake Center. She will however, remain as “Friend of CASA” -we refuse to give her totally up!
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Printing of this Newsletter made possible by a
Sustainability Grant from the National CASA Association.

CASA of Lexington
1155 Red Mile Place
Lexington, KY 40504

“You start out trying to change the life of a child, then find that you own life has also been changed.” CASA Advocate
DID YOU KNOW?
Every 35 seconds a child is abused/neglected
Every hour a child is displaced due to abuse/neglect
Kentucky leads the nation in child fatalities
Advocate. Donate.
Be the difference!
Visit us on the web at: www.lexingtoncasa.com & on FaceBook