|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
November 14, 2006
Contact: Kyle Barber
Phone: (360) 337-5484
No. 06-94
County CASA Program Receives Grant to Benefit Local
Children
PORT
ORCHARD, WA—The Kitsap County CASA (Court Appointed Special
Advocates) Program was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Jewelers for
Children, the leading charity of the US jewelry industry. The funds were
used to expand volunteer-based advocacy services for abused and neglected
children in Kitsap County.
"Thanks to the support of Jewelers for Children, we have been able to serve
six new children and train 16 new volunteers," said Kyle Barber, Guardian Ad
Letim, CASA Coordinator/Recruiter for the Kitsap County Superior Court
Juvenile Department. "The program now supports at total of 47 volunteers
serving 112 children in Kitsap County."
“We are excited to award
local program grants that support advocacy to change the lives of abused and
neglected children around the country,” said David Rocha, Executive Director
of Jewelers for Children. “The CASA grants this year have a slightly greater
focus on rural communities, providing much-needed help in areas where funds
are sometimes scarce.”
Since 2003, Jewelers for
Children has funded advocacy services for abused and neglected children in
over 130 communities nationwide. More than 60 CASA/GAL programs, including
programs in the gulf region impacted by Hurricane Katrina, will receive
support this year from a $975,000 national grant funded by Jewelers for
Children and administered by the National CASA Association.
The
National CASA Association provides leadership to more than 900 state and
local organizations that champion the best interests of abused and neglected
children. Across the country, more than 50,000 highly-trained CASA
volunteers serve as powerful advocates for these children, one child at a
time, within the child welfare system.
“As a result of these
grants, over 1,000 abused and neglected children across the country will
receive critical advocacy services,” said Michael Piraino, National CASA
Association CEO. “We are grateful to Jewelers For Children for their
continued commitment to creating positive outcomes and better futures for
our nation’s foster children.”
The Kitsap
County CASA Program has been providing advocacy for abused and neglected
children since 1987 and has served over 2,500 children. There are currently
nearly 500 open cases in Kitsap County and the need for advocates is great.
Kitsap County CASA is currently accepting volunteer applications and is
scheduling trainings.
For more information,
contact Kyle Barber at 360-337-5484 or
kbaber@co.kitspap.wa.us.
|
