Virtual Tour of Homes Spring 2020
http://elkotourofhomes.com
This year Spring Tour of Homes is happy to announce that their 2020 virtual tour is benefiting Northeastern Nevada CASA Foundation.
This event is free to the public but we are accepting donations on the website to benefit CASA. Spring Tour of Homes is a local charity organisation which hosts an annual Spring Tour of Homes in Elko and the surrounding areas. Supporters like you can purchase tickets to tour a selection of amazing homes. Meet a host of local volunteers who make this event possible and engage in the community for a fun day out all for a terrific cause. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page for all the latest information.
So who or what is CASA?
CASA; Court Appointed Special Advocates. This group of amazing adults come into a child’s life usually during a really difficult and often traumatic time in their life. A CASA, is a trained volunteer, sworn in and appointed to a specific case by a Judge. A CASA is the voice for abused and neglected children. Working in conjunction with case professionals and attorneys, a CASA advocates for the best interest of a child. A CASA meets with the child at least monthly and attends regular Child/Family Team meetings with case professionals, parents, and/or foster parents. A CASA will meet with teachers, daycare providers, medical and mental health providers, and other service providers as needed. At least every six months, a CASA will write a court report with recommendations to the court for the child(ren)’s best interest. A CASA will also attend periodic court hearings.
Susan S. is 29 years old now and first met her CASA’s Michelle and Alana when she was just 17 years old. It impacted her life tremendously. “I would not be where I am today without my CASA’s. I could always rely on them. They were there for me and I would hope to be even half the person my CASA’s were for me. They were so amazing. Even now they are still there for me. I am so grateful.”
Chris D. was just 15 years old when he first encountered CASA and his caseworker Alana McKinney. “My life was spiralling downhill. CASA helped me get out of my past and helped me go in the direction I needed. CASA offered me hope! With their guidance and help I was always thought of, my voice and opinion was heard, I was taken care of and not left in the dark. They offered warmth, security, and happiness. I knew it would all be ok. I would not have been adopted into my forever family without the help of CASA. They saved my life. I am so thankful to CASA and Alana for giving me purpose and teaching me to never give up.”
Vicky B. met her CASA Kerry when she was just 16 years old, “I had someone who spoke for me and gave me a voice. Kerry became like another parent to me and has a beautiful heart. She is a lifelong friend now. She continued to help me after I aged out of the foster care program when I had life challenges. If I didn’t have her or hear her in the back of my mind I would not have made the best decisions for my life. I had never felt loved or cared for before. She offered me that. I am so thankful for how she helped me, all the kids and even other parents to be proper parents.”
Fostering and adoption opportunities are available and CASA would be more than happy to sit and visit to explain the process here in Elko County.
“There’s been a lot of fear souring foster care. There’s so much joy in loving kids. Actual love isn’t safe, it never has been. Real love is a commitment and devotion before it’s a feeling, an emotion. I think if people could understand that, there’d be more foster care.”
– Nathan Hornback, Elko Foster/Adoption Parent
They are all volunteers!
This group of people give of their time, energy and efforts to support and uplift the most vulnerable member(s) of our community ranging in ages newborn to 18 years of age.
Support Our Most Vulnerable Children
The Problem: An Overwhelmed System
The child welfare system is in a state of crisis, in part due to the devastating opioid epidemic
• 5,274 documented abused and neglected children in Nevada
• More than 4,400 children are in Nevada’s foster care system on any given day
• The average child spends 13.2 months in care
The Challenge: Not Enough Resources
• 8 local CASA programs currently serve children in 10 of the 17 Nevada counties
• 630 CASA Advocates speak up for 1,223 of Nevada’s abused and neglected children
• 4,051 of Nevada’s abused and neglected children still need a CASA advocate
• NRS 432B.500 mandates a GAL/CASA for each abused and neglected child but there is no state funding to support this mandate – Nevada is one of only six states in the nation that receives no state funding to support its mandate to serve such children
WHY CASA? Proven Success. A child with CASA…
• will spend 4 to 6 months less time in foster care
• will receive more needed services such as counseling / tutoring
• is more likely to stay in school and go on to graduate
• is half as likely to re-enter the foster care system
• is more like to find a safe, loving, and permanent home
Sources: DCFS 2019 Annual Services Progress Report, National CASA Association, Adoption Network, Fostering Court Improvement Website