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News Stories for CASA of Santa Cruz County |
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| Date | Source/Link | Story |
| 06/03/2010
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Register-Pajaronian | "CASA honors children’s advocates Posted: Thursday, Jun 3rd, 2010 BY: JON CHOWN Ruth Leon, registration specialist at the Healthy Start Program, speaks after receiving a special award from CASA on Wednesday. (Photos by Jon Chown) Santa Cruz County Rotary Clubs and a handful of hard-working Pajaro Valley Unified School District employees were recognized by Court Appointed Special Advocates Wednesday night for their contributions to the charity and the community. CASA works with children who are involved in the court system, usually due to parental abuse or neglect. “We are here today to support those who continually go above and beyond to support foster children in the Pajaro Valley,” said Rogelio Ponce, a strawberry grower and former CASA board member who performed as master of ceremonies for the event. “Each of you is a farmer, whether you realize it or not, because you tend to our kids every day. Numerous kids are planted in our society, and some need a little more tending. CASA advocates are the farmers for that child.” For the complete article see the 06-03-2010 issue." |
| 04/22/2010
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Santa Cruz Sentinel | "Watsonville Mark Stone named chair of Team CASA for Big Sur Marathon Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County has made county Supervisor Mark Stone the honorary chair of its Big Sur International Marathon team. The team serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit CASA, which advocates for children in the county's foster care system because of abuse or neglect. CASA officials say they selected Stone for the team because of his political support for children's issues and his athletic background. Last year, Stone swam the English Channel and he has run long distances before. Stone and more than 100 members of Team CASA will participate in the 10.6-mile Big Sur run Sunday." |
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03/19/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Groundbreaking celebrated at new home for CASA's foster children "WATSONVILLE -- A groundbreaking ceremony Thursday brought Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, a step closer to having a home for the foster children they advocate for. <br /> In April 2009, CASA bought a home for $395,010, half the cost of the original $829,000, to house CASA's administration and its advocates, who work one-on-one with children who have been abused or neglected and moved to foster homes. More than double the size of their current office in a former hospital, the building is a 3,500-square-foot two-story home on Freedom Boulevard, across the street from Callaghan Park. The staff hopes to repair, remodel and open the doors by fall. "Even in this horrible recession, the community chooses to be supportive of some of the most vulnerable children in the community who have been moved from their home at no fault of their own," said CASA Board President Leola Lapides. "I'm confident that we will meet our goal, which means this will be 100 percent paid for and we will have a facility for us that will serve as a permanent environment the children can relax in. We couldn't ask for more." " There is one more step, however." "CASA board members, along with the help of donors, raised $1.3 million but still have about $200,000 left to raise. Board members, staff and supporters pledged to give $1 million over the next five years. Repairs, remodeling and ADA compliance, furnishings and landscaping costs alone are anticipated to be more than $300,000, ..." . |
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02/23/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Register-Pajaronian |
Council to consider rezoning downtown site for CASA’s move Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County is hoping the City Council tonight approves the rezoning of its planned future site near downtown. Currently located at The Towers on Green Valley Road, CASA purchased a home in 2009 at 813 Freedom Blvd., near the intersection of Freedom and Main Street, with the intent of moving its offices there. The two-story, single-family home of more than 3,000 square feet is to be converted into a comfortable, homey environment for CASA advocates and children, with staff offices. CASA helps children who have been victims of abuse or neglect and have been placed in protective custody. CASA volunteers contact caseworkers, interview parents, ensure necessary medical care, look out for educational interests and make recommendations in court regarding the permanent placement of the child. |
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02/09/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Luncheon to benefit CASA "For the Love of the Children," a luncheon to benefit CASA, will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Severino's. CASA trains court appointed special advocates to stand up for the interests of foster kids. Luncheon proceeds will benefit 150 foster children, providing new shoes, glasses and in some cases prom tickets. Youth scholarships will be awarded in memory of Kathleen Akao, a Superior Court judge for 11 years who was committed to foster children. Three foster youths will receive $500 per year for their education. The luncheon costs $100 per person. For tickets, go to casaofsantacruz.org, or call Linda at 761-2956, ext. 106. |
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01/11/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Volunteers sought for neglected kids CASA of Santa Cruz County needs volunteers to provide support, guidance and a voice in court to children who have been removed from their homes due to severe abuse or neglect. Male and bilingual volunteers are especially needed. An informational orientation will be 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, 2425 Porter St., Suite 16. To RSVP, call 761-2956, ext. 102, or write danielle@casaofsantacruz.org. |
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01/04/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Community came through for CASA The holidays remind us how deeply this community cares about its children. Court Appointed Special Advocates CASA is grateful for the steadfast support of our donors all year long, but at this time we would like to express special appreciation to the congregations of St. Andrew Presbyterian, Resurrection Church and St. Joseph's of Capitola, who provided personalized Christmas gifts for CASA's children. Warmest thanks also to Anita Marty and friends for purchasing shoes, especially for each child according to his or her request. Ari Symons and friends provided dozens and dozens of cuddly pajamas, and Claudia Martin and SIR of Santa Cruz County created personalized Christmas stockings for each child. Shampoochez' customers once again offered additional games and toys for our children. The children served by CASA are in the foster-care system through no fault of their own. They are living under the protection of the court because their parents are unable to provide them with a safe and healthy home. Please know that the children understand and appreciate these kind and caring gestures from the members of our community. Nancy Sherrod, CASA Executive Director |
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01/03/2010 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Cypress High donates $550 Members of the Cypress High School Tie Club donated $550 worth of gift cards to CASA of Santa Cruz County in a recent ceremony. The cards were distributed to youth in foster care and represent proceeds from fundraisers the group has held since September. The gift cards are for Capitola Book Cafe and Kaleidoscope. The CCHS Tie Club, whose 12 students celebrate neckwear by regularly wearing ties to school, raise funds to contribute to local organizations that benefit youth. |
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10/18/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
$85,000 FOR CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates hosted its annual Imagine! with CASA dinner and auction last month at Chaminade, where the group raised more than $85,000. In attendance were more than 200 CASA supporters as well as auctioneers KSBW news anchor Dan Green, Watsonville police chief Terry Medina, Santa Cruz County Bank's chief operating officer Sandi Eason. Nancy Sherrod, executive director at CASA, was overwhelmed by the event's success, “Amidst a $1.5 million capital campaign, our community never fails to show their support, and we are extremely grateful.” |
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10/05/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
SANTA CRUZ Wanted: New pajamas for kids Santa Cruz County Bank is collecting donations Advertisement for Project Pajamas through Oct. 20. Last year the program collected 600 pairs of new pajamas for children entering a homeless shelter, transitional housing or any other "out of the home" setting. Shelters that benefit are the Rebele Family Homeless Shelter, CASA kids, Jacob's Heart, Children's Hospice and Palliative Care, Pajaro Valley Shelter and Women's Crisis Shelter. Organizers ask that the pajamas be in the original packaging with tags on. Sizes from infant to age 18 for boys and girls are needed. Bank offices are at 7775 Soquel Drive, Aptos; 819 Bay Ave. and 1500 41st Ave., Capitola; 720 Front St., Santa Cruz; 4604 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley; and 595 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville. For information, call Mary Anne Carson, 457.5003, ext. 2118. |
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09/26/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Foster careneeds support In response to Supervisor Mark Stone's article, CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County urges our caring community to step up for the most vulnerable children in our community, children in foster care. The governor's recent veto axed an additional $1.24 million from Child Welfare Services in the state. It would be such a different world if children came first. Through no fault of their own, more than 220 children are living in foster care right now in our county for their own safety as a result of parental neglect or abuse. CASA's trained, compassionate volunteers work hard every day to ensure these children receive the court advocacy, and physical, emotional and education support needed to heal and return home or find a stable, loving home as quickly as possible. Our local child welfare department and many local partners join us in this work and share the same vision: that every child we connect with grows into a healthy, contributing member with a future full of opportunities. Nancy Sherrod, Santa Cruz |
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08/22/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Alladin anniversary events next month Alladin Nursery in Watsonville is celebrating 90 years in business with a three-day celebration from Friday Sept. 25 to Sunday, Sept. 27. Ten percent of the proceeds from each day's sales will go to one of three different organizations -- Dragon Slayers, CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates, and SPIN Special Parents Information Network. On Friday Sept. 27 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., it's kid's day, with a mini petting zoo, face painting, pedal car races and more. For the remainder of the weekend, beginning at 10 a.m., live music, coffee, sausage and wine tasting, art displays, and hor d'oeurves from local restaurants will be featured. Bring a bag of non-perishable or canned groceries during the festivities to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank and receive a coupon for a discount at Alladin Nursery. For more information, contact the nursery at 724-7517. |
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07/27/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
Watsonville CASA seeks volunteers to help Court Appointed Special Advocates For Children, CASA, is looking for volunteers to help provide support, guidance and a voice in court for children who have been removed from their homes because they were victims of severe abuse or neglect. All are invited but men and bilingual community members are especially encouraged. Informational orientations are 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at 2425 Porter St. Suite 16 in Soquel and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the CASA office, 294 Green Valley Road in Watsonville. Volunteers are asked to dedicate three to five hours a week. To RSVP call 761-2956, ext. 102, or e-mail joanne@casaofsantacruz.org. |
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05/12/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Register-Pajaronian |
"CASA gets new casa" By JON CHOWN "Court Appointed Special Advocates has purchased a home in Watsonville. The pink, 3,500-square-foot, two-story colonial at 813 Freedom Blvd. will provide offices for CASA’s eight-member staff, space for visits from children and their advocates, and room for special events. CASA, a nonprofit, serves children throughout Santa Cruz County. The group bought the home at auction on April 13 for $395,010. Executive Director Nancy Sherrod said the group had been eyeing the property for about a year. It was offered as a short sale, but went back off the market when nobody bid on its more than $800,000 asking price. The 17-year-old agency currently has offices at the former site of Watsonville Community Hospital on Green Valley Road, but the space is cramped and CASA can’t really accommodate its diverse needs. Sherrod said that, in addition to housing staff, the new site will have a home-like atmosphere where advocates will be able to bring children and relax. They will have room to read books, work on homework or just fix a snack between planned activities." |
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05/09/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"Foreclosure provides a new home for CASA's foster children" By JONDI GUMZ WATSONVILLE -- When housing prices started to slide, advocates for foster children saw an opportunity to buy a home, replacing their cramped office space on the third floor of the former Watsonville hospital with a kid-friendly place. This week, they saw their dream come true. The nonprofit CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, became the owner of 813 Freedom Blvd., a 3,500-square-foot home on a large parcel across from Callahan Park. "It gives kids a vision of what could be in their future -- a warm home," said Nancy Sherrod, CASA's executive director who oversees volunteers supporting and nurturing 180 children a year. This was Sherrod's vision when she joined CASA in 2004." For the rest of the article, please see the Santa Cruz Sentinel. |
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04/19/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"CASA seeks children's champions Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County is accepting nominations for the fourth annual Pajaro Valley Community Awards. The awards recognize an educator, individual, business or organization that has demonstrated a special commitment to the well-being of foster children in the Pajaro Valley. Nominations can be submitted online at www.casaofsantacruz.org. The deadline for submissions is April 22. The awards will be presented at May 19." |
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04/06/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"Woman of the Year deserving of recognition Thank you so much for highlighting the 27th Congressional District's choice of Melanie Larson as Woman of the Year for 2009. Melanie exemplifies the remarkable work Advertisement Click here to find out more! of the more than 170 volunteer advocates that CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates works with each year. These are everyday heroes who contribute their steady, trusted commitment and advocacy to more than 190 children in the foster-care system annually. I want to take this opportunity to thank and honor all of the many devoted advocates, staff, board of directors, other volunteers, as well as our generous donors. Together we are building the future of the most vulnerable children of our community. Marilyn Koll, Aptos" |
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03/15/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"Aptos woman wins statewide recognition as CASA volunteer" By John Sammon Aptos -- Melanie Larson touched the lives of children and teens in such personal ways that her ever-expanding volunteer efforts earned her the title of the 27th Assembly District's Woman of the Year for 2009. Larson represents children as a volunteer for CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocate -- of Santa Cruz County. But that is only one facet of Larson's community involvement. Larson, 55, is also a reading improvement specialist with a master's degree in reading improvement for children, and her ability to cure reading deficiencies has made her a highly sought-after tutor. Currently, she teaches reading as a volunteer at Mintie White Elementary School in Watsonville. She said the recent announcement of the award came as a surprise. Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Monterey, will present the award on Monday at the Capitol in Sacramento. "Ms. Larson's accomplishments on behalf of children who are within the court system through no fault of their own, represents the positive impact one person can have on the lives of others," Monning said. "She has proven herself a tireless advocate for some of the youngest and most vulnerable of our citizens....." For the rest of the article, please see the Santa Cruz Sentinel. |
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03/07/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"Dine at Shadowbrook and help CASA Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola will donate a third of its dinner and beverage sales on Tuesday evening to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County. CASA recruits, trains and supports volunteers who provide support and a voice in court for abused and neglected children. To ensure CASA receives a portion of the proceeds, Shadowbrook guests should identify themselves as CASA supporters when making reservations. Call 475-1511 to reserve a table." |
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03/05/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"SANTA CRUZ CASA announces new board members The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County has three new board members. They are Rob Allen, a Watsonville attorney, Deutron Kebebew, program director for PAPAS, and Celestial Cassman, an attorney in Santa Cruz. Each year, the advocate group, also known as CASA, provides guidance and a voice to more than 190 local children who've been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect." |
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02/09/2009 to home page. to top of this page. |
Santa Cruz Sentinel |
"Local nonprofit thankful for fundraising efforts Now, more than ever we, are reminded of our good fortune to live in a community that believes in the work of its local nonprofits. CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates was recently the beneficiary of two very generous fundraising efforts, one from the wonderful Santa Cruz Next and the other from the Women in Business group in the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce. The funds are being used to train and support volunteers working with vulnerable children in the foster-care system as a result of parental abuse or neglect. By helping provide these children with stability, friendship and hope, CASA's donors are making an important difference in many young lives. We are deeply grateful to these two organizations for their spirit of service and their positive impact on our community. Nancy Sherrod, CASA, Watsonville." |
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To find us at CASA: Telephone: 831. 761.2956 |
Fax Number: 831. 761.2913 |
Address: 294 Green Valley Road, Suite 326, Watsonville, CA 95076 | Link to
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