Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1538244
16 Giving Guide 2025 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com FUTURE GOALS Maintain financial fortitude despite a changing and challenging federal, state, and general economic landscape. Expand service reach to serve a greater number of children while continuing to avoid a waitlist. Accelerate permanency outcomes by advocating to reduce the time children spend in out-of-home placements before permanency is achieved. Enhance child well-being through strategic referrals to and partnerships with intersecting agencies and organizations. Strengthen placement stability by minimizing the number of moves children experience while in state custody. Raise greater public awareness of CASA's mission, impact, and the proven cost-effectiveness of our model. Promote systems-level reform that addresses stabilizing family units to reduce the frequency and disparities of child removals. Amplify cultural competency efforts, ensuring that diversity, equity, justice, and belonging continue to be centered. FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES Our annual Champions for Children celebration signature fundraising event will be held on ursday, Sept. 11, 2025, on the top floors of our presenting sponsor Synergy's glass tower (Main St. Worcester). Named Best Nonprofit Fundraiser Event by the Worcester Business Journal for two consecutive years, the annual celebration was the inaugural event held in the newly renovated event venue in fall 2023, and continues to be an extraordinary, sold-out fundraiser. Sponsorship, auction donation, and ticket purchase information can be found at www.thecasaproject.org/events. Our Annual Backpack Drive is in full swing as we collect individualized grade- and development-appropriate educational supplies for the youth we serve. Our Annual Holiday Drive is around the corner and runs through the fall/ early winter to ensure all children on our cases 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 sponsoring our Volunteer Appreciation Event or National Adoption Day, please contact giving@thecasaproject.org. If you would like to be added to our direct mail or email list, please contact communications@thecasaproject.org. Upcoming community partner events include volunteering at the WooSox concessions stand (various dates), Cocktails for CASA sponsored by Love, Tito's (Nov.-Jan.), Santa Crawl sponsored by the Shrewsbury Street Italian Heritage Parade Committee (Dec. 13), fundRAVER at Electric Haze (March 7, 2026), CASA Palooza sponsored by Cinch I.T. (April 11, 2026), 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. We accept hygiene and period products, diapers and formula, books for all reading levels, and new toys and games year-round. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are the heart of our work. You can join hundreds of other compassionate individuals from all walks of life in championing the best interests of a child or sibling group. Volunteer advocates 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 Advisory Committee members for opportunities, including our Legislative Advocacy Committee, Development Committee, and Program Committee, in addition to Steering Committee members and volunteers for our many annual events, drives, and campaigns. CASA Project Worcester County BOARD MEMBERS Jim Gentile, Fallon Health, President Erin Jansky, Webster First Federal Credit Union, 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, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Liz Estabrooks, Jax Seafood Renee Falconer, RKD Group W. Peter Metz, MD, UMass Chan Medical School Pablo Santiago, Vocero Hispano Newspaper Stefanie Silva, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Janelle Tanenbaum, SederLaw "CASA is a dynamic organization led by a talented team of individuals completely dedicated to the mission of advocating for children involved in the Juvenile Court system. It is the nobility of the mission and the "all-in" commitment of the staff that makes it a privilege to serve as Board President." - Jim Gentile, Board President 100 Grove Street, Suite 403 Worcester, MA 01605 Phone: 508-757-9877 www.thecasaproject.org Full-time Employees: 16 Annual Revenues: $1,492,083 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 N.H. border to the R.I. and CT borders, including all towns and cities within the Central Massachusetts region. TOP FUNDING SOURCES 43% Commonwealth of Massachusetts 33% Grants 21% Individual & Corporate Donors Julie Bowditch Executive Director Jim Gentile Board President