CASA JULY Newsletter

FOSTERING FUTURES

RCCASA was one of 11 CASA’s in the nation to receive the Fostering Futures Grant from National CASA ~ The Fostering Futures project will train volunteers to be advocates and advisors to older youth, helping them to create comprehensive transition plans, make positive adult connections and develop strategies to achieve positive outcomes both during and after their time in foster care. Trained volunteers will administer both pre and post-test with the youth served to measure the effectiveness of Fostering Futures training.

When Adrian Sanchez aged out of foster care in the 1980’s, he had no family, no high school diploma, no safety net, no plan and he says, “no idea what to do or how to do it.” Simply staying alive took all his time and energy; envisioning a future was a luxury he could not afford. He learned to be an adult by trial and error. Mostly error, he adds. Today Adrian is 41, a dad and CASA volunteer in TN. He works passionately to make sure young people have the support, the education and the life skills they need to transition out of foster care safely and successfully.

Our Mission:

To advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Richland

County Family Court by providing quality volunteer and legal representation to

ensure every child a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.

Children Served in June: 23 New Children

453 Total Children 42 Children Dismissed 436 Total Volunteers

Here is your chance to work with Fostering Futures!! Mark your calendar for WEDNEDAY, AUGUST 14th for an all-day retreat and receive this national training to get started working with older youth!!!

June Recap The CASA staff stayed busy during June ~ here are a couple of activities!!

RCCASA Firefighter Recruitment at the St. Andrews Fire Department

CASA Team training LCCASA training on Male Recruitment

Foundation’s 1st Annual Golf Classic Golden Hills Golf Club

Volunteer Spotlight LINDA FELKEL

Congratulations!

Linda has been a GAL for 18 years and served more than 40 children.

As a child with epilepsy, she grew up never knowing when she would have a seizure or her whereabouts during the seizure. During these years, she always wanted to help others. Linda lived a life of fear for almost 30 years always wondering if she would be able to achieve a goal in life as well as see her parents proud of her. She graduated from high school in 1970 and tech in 1971; married and had two children; served as a church musician and teacher for years. Finally, in 1984 as a single parent, she was introduced to a neurologist and neurosurgeon. Following many tests, she became the 71st patient for neurosurgery. Following the surgery, she became seizure free and off all medications within 12 months. This is when her life began. It took several years for her to get the courage to step out. She first owned a vending machine business and then a dress business; managed a medical office for a neurologist seven years; worked with kids at DJJ for 13 years; worked as a nurse tech for seven years in ICU and three years in behavioral medicine. Her volunteer work includes serving as an advocate for the children at DJJ, serving on the speaker’s bureau at Sister Care, serving as President of a local epilepsy association for four years as well as President of the South Carolina Epilepsy Foundation for two years. In January 1995, she still had that desire to help others and began volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem which is now Richland County CASA. During her years of volunteering, she decided to step out and work on a college degree in psychology (counseling) at Columbia College. Following graduation in 2012, she entered Winthrop University for a master’s degree in social work where she is currently enrolled aiming to better serve our children of tomorrow. She also volunteers with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands. As a 61-year-old grandmother of six, she presently works two part-time jobs, volunteers with Richland County CASA and Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, attends school part-time, and has just started walking for exercise.

Upcoming Events!

July 10th – Staff Meeting

July 17th – Fostering Futures training for CASA staff @ Doubletree, Bush River Road

July 23rd – Foundation Social

@ Doubletree, Bush River Road

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August 7th – Staff Meeting

August 14th – Fostering Futures training for GAL’s @ Lake Dogwood

August 31st – Pull 4 Kids Skeet & Trap Tournament

@Mid Carolina Gun Club

Helpful Links for You:

• National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections: http://www.nrcpfc.org

• National CASA for Children: http://www casaforchildren org