Worcester Business Journal

22 Giving Guide 2024 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com FUTURE GOALS Raise awareness of CASA's mission and programming and the efficacy and savings to the Commonwealth of our advocacy model. Increase timeliness of permanency for children served by reducing the time they spend in the foster care system before reunification, adoption, or guardianship is achieved. Increase placement stability by reducing the number of unique placements a child experiences while in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Increase the number of children placed in family-based settings, e.g., foster homes, kinship arrangements, etc. (as opposed to group, residential, or clinical placements). Increase child well-being by ensuring that children receive all necessary resources and services to support their medical and mental health, educational success, and more. Serve an increased percentage of children involved in Care & Protection cases through the Juvenile Court while continuing to ensure that no case appointed requires a waiting list. Ensure inclusive recruitment and comprehensive training to prioritize collective diversity of our volunteer advocates and staff in order to best represent the children and families we serve. Improve the quality of our advocacy services through meaningful collaborations with intersecting organizations and agencies. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES Our annual Champions for Children celebration signature fundraising event will be held on ursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at the Top of the Tower (Synergy on Main St., Worcester). Named both Best Nonprofit Fundraiser Event by the Worcester Business Journal and Best Local Event by the Telegram & Gazette, the 2023 fundraiser was the first major soiree hosted in the newly renovated Top of the Tower event space last fall. Sponsorship opportunities, auction donations, and event tickets can be accessed at www.thecasaproject.org/events/ champions-for-children-celebration/. Our Annual Backpack Drive ends in late August. We collect personalized developmentally and grade- appropriate educational supplies for the youth we serve. Our Annual Holiday Drive runs from the fall through early December to ensure children of all ages and in all placements will have a bright holiday season. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates on these campaigns and more! GIVING OPPORTUNITIES You can sponsor advocacy for a child for just $100 per month. Donations are gratefully accepted year-round at www.thecasaproject.org/donate/. To inquire about supporting our Volunteer Appreciation Event, National Adoption Day, or other partnership opportunities, or to be added to our direct mail, newsletter or email list, please contact info@thecasaproject.org. Upcoming community partner events include Taproom Trivia at Redemption Rock Brewery (Oct. 28), Cocktails for CASA sponsored by Tito's (Nov.-Jan.), Santa Crawl sponsored by the Shrewsbury Street Italian Heritage Parade (Dec. 14), CASA Palooza sponsored by Cinch I.T. (Spring 2025), and Pasta Making Masterclasses at Volturno (various dates). We are continually seeking creative partnership opportunities to elevate both small locally-owned businesses and our mission. Year-round, we accept hygiene, haircare, and period products, new and gently used books for all reading levels, and new toys and games. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are provided with all necessary tools, training, and support. We strive to connect CASA children with volunteers who can best relate to, represent, and connect with them including those who are multilingual, BIPOC, and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Once matched with a Juvenile Court case, volunteer advocate responsibilities include investigating the facts of the case, interviewing children and other key stakeholders in their lives, monitoring their well-being through regular visits, reporting their findings back to the court, making recommendations for services and resources, and most importantly, advocating diligently for the child's best interests. Learn more and apply at www.thecasaproject.org/volunteer/. We are also seeking caring community members for opportunities including our Legislative Advocacy Committee, Development Committee, and Program Committee. CASA Project Worcester County BOARD MEMBERS Jim Gentile, Fallon Health, President W. Peter Metz, MD, UMass Chan Medical School, Vice President Steve Ploof, AMARAY (retired), Treasurer Lorna Kogon, UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, Clerk Jena Adams, Center for Health Impact John Cleary, Bank of America McKenzie Davis-Martin, Shrewsbury Public Schools Liz Estabrooks, Jax Seafood Renee Falconer, RKD Group Jennifer Flemming, Shrewsbury Public Schools Fitzroy Hall, UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center Erin Jansky, Worcester Housing Authority Janelle Tanenbaum, SederLaw "While there are a lot of worthy nonprofits performing wonderful work, CASA resonates with me for two reasons. First, it is local; it serves Worcester County. I believe impacting one's community makes serving and giving more rewarding. Secondly, what could be more important than advocating for abused and neglected children who are unable to do so themselves? ese are the primary factors that make my involvement with CASA so gratifying to me." - Jim Gentile, Board President 100 Grove Street, Suite 403 Worcester, MA 01605 Phone: 508-757-9877 www.thecasaproject.org Full-time Employees: 13 FTEs Annual Revenues: $1,182,017 Year founded: 1981 MISSION STATEMENT CASA advocates for the best interests of abused, neglected, and vulnerable children, amplifies their voices in court, and supports them on their paths toward a permanent home. SERVICE AREA Worcester County – from the NH border to the RI and CT borders and all the towns and cities within the Central Massachusetts region. TOP FUNDING SOURCES 35% Grants 25% Commonwealth of Massachusetts 15% Special Events Julie Bowditch Executive Director Jim Gentile Board President

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