b'LETTER FROM L E A D E R S H I PDEAR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS,We want to begin by saying, thank YOU for your commitment to our child advocacy mission. Withyour help, we have built a strong foundation to ensure every child of abuse has someone whocares about them, knows their wants and needs, and will be by their side to ensure a safe,permanent home.With your support, we advocated for every child, nearly 600, that came into abuse and neglectcourt. Like you, we faced ongoing challenges perpetuated by COVID and continued managingthese challenges with tools such as ZOOM, hybrid schedules, and virtual training of volunteers.The team recruited and trained 75 CASA volunteers, which is almost double from years past toensure that we could appoint all children/cases to a CASA. Our team did it with volunteers andstaff taking on the additional cases/children. Our recruiting efforts strengthened as the influx ofcases did not slow down and we did not settle.We know as an organization we cannot change the past or stop what is happening right now tosome child unknown to you or I. But with the training that CASA provides, the on-goingeducational and advocacy support, WE can investigate, report unbiased information, andprovide recommendations to our Judge to make life changing decisions for our children toensure a better tomorrow.We know that there has been an increase in domestic violence cases (which is a form of abuse for children) that with the added stresses of unemployment and financial insecurity it has strained more relationships between the child and the caregivers and/or parents who care for them.Catching child abuse is all about kids being outside their homes and not inside.Most calls to the Department of Child and Family Services come from professionals such as police officers,attorneys, doctors and of course educators/teachers as they come in contact with children the most.No one reports more on abuse and neglect than teachers. We are grateful for every step towards normalcy in our world, as it allows eyes on our children.As a state that does not emancipate youth until they are 21 years of age, we are working even more collaboratively with outside agencies and their consistent CASA/GAL volunteer to help create better endings to stories for youth. CASA brings the human side to the courtroom, Catching child painting the real story to the Judge so they can make the life changing decisions with the best information.We must continue to work together in raising philanthropic dollars to enhance abuse is allgreater advocacy, awareness, resources and of course building hope and stability for our kids to have a better future. about kidsWe hope you enjoy reading more in the newsletter that you made possible. With sincere appreciation for all you do for the CASA organization and in support of our advocacy that strives for permanent homes being outsidefor children, we are honored to work alongside you to provide consistency that they deserve. their homesYours Truly,and not inside. Tim Kellenberger Gloria KelleyBoard Chair Executive DirectorFor more information on organizational needs, feedback or questions, please call Gloria at 630-444-3109!2'