CASA Association A newsletter for our Donor News most valued donors

Fall Edition 2014

• In the past year: • 1,577 Children Served • Mission: To facilitate the continued development and suc- 1,316 Active Volunteers • 2,221 Potential Volun- cess of Maryland’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to ensure that every abused and neglect- teers Recruited • 401 New Volunteers Trained ed child in the state has a safe, permanent home.

A message from our State Director... Inside This Issue: As we approach another holiday season, we are reminded of the many children in Maryland who will spend those special days in foster homes, ♦ Message from our group homes and institutional settings. Maryland CASA’s vision is for State Director every child in Maryland to spend the holidays in safe, permanent homes and we are making great strides toward that goal. This progress would ♦ Maryland CASA to not be possible without the continued support of generous donors like hold its first Foster you. Whether you have made a one-time donation, give through a work- Youth Summit place giving campaign, run with Team CASA, sponsor an event, or pro- vide grant funding, we cherish every one of you! We hope that this ♦ Sunsets & Safe Har- newsletter will provide a snapshot of the many ways in which your sup- bors 2014 port benefits the children of our state—and we hope that we can count on your continued support. Thank you! ♦ A new CASA Pro- gram to debut in Ed Kilcullen, State Director Cecil County Maryland CASA’s First Foster Youth Summit ♦ Harnessing the Power of #GivingTuesday Maryland CASA is hosting the First An- If you or your business is interested in ♦ Team CASA at the nual Foster Youth Summit: Pathways donating some “key essentials” for our Running to Independence on Saturday, Febru- foster youth, (we will need about 50 ary 28 th at the University of Maryland of each item) please contact us at pat- Festival 2014 School of Social Work in Baltimore. [email protected] or 410-828- 6761 . We are excited about this opportunity to ♦ Meet Our Newest brings young adults (ages 16-21), Board Members! who are transitioning out of the foster care system, face-to-face with employers, educators and other professionals, to gain tangible skills and learn about resources ranging from life skills to education and training to preparing for careers.

Today in Maryland, approxi- The summit will feature inspiring speak- mately 10,000 children are ers, interactive sessions, a resource under the protection of the courts as a result of abuse center, networking lunch, and more -- all

and neglect. Last year, more aimed at providing information to young than 1,200 CASA volunteers adults and their CASA volunteers as they served 1,316 children in Mar- explore all the pathways to independence. Rob Levit, an acclaimed musician and yland. With 10,000 children artist, will kick off the summit with an under court protection, how- Each youth in attendance will receive a inspirational and energizing keynote ad- ever, 9 out of 10 have no ad- “Key Essentials Toolkit” that will be dress about overcoming adversity. Levit vocates speaking up for their filled with donated items that are neces- is the Executive Director of Creating best interests. sary for success. The toolkits will include Communities and has created innovative personal hygiene items, snacks, flash- "Life-Skills through the Arts" programs drives, planners, notebooks, pens, etc. for at-risk youth and adults.

To learn more about this event and ways to get involved, please visit Photo Credit: National CASA http://marylandcasa.org/pathways-to-independence/ 111

Fall 2014 Maryland CASA Association

Sponsors “Sunsets & Safe Harbors” A Success for 2014 Atlantic Remodeling Corp. Johns Hopkins Institutions Chesapeake Medical Staffing Merkle Inc. Maryland CASA Association held its 3rd annual La Scala Ristorante gala event on Saturday, September 6th, 2014

In Kind Donors aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore’s Harriett Adam Photography . The event, chaired by board member Angela Lunczynski-Hamilton and Denise Sullivan (Urban Green Environmental), Basignani Winery featured a silent auction, catered dinner, Sandra-Lynn Berson Bikram Yoga– Baltimore chance auction, music and dancing, and near- Brookshire Suites Hotel 360 degree views of the Baltimore Harbor. Bertram & Christine Lebhar, Atlantic Remodel- Coca-Cola Refreshments More than 120 people attended the event, ing Corporation — Sponsor Fran Catteron—Morgan Gerard which raised more than $24,000 to support Debbie Grosh Maryland CASA’s efforts on behalf of victims Palden Hamilton Hyatt Regency - Baltimore of child abuse and neglect. Indigo Ink Johnny’s Restaurant Thank you to all of our sponsors, in kind do- Tiffany Lindsey nors and guests! Linganore Winecellars Lorax Group Angela Lunczynski-Hamilton Marie Lunczynski MD Laser, Skin & Vein Institute National Aquarium Denise Sullivan & Angela Lunczynski-Hamilton, Co-chairs Kelly Nave Tammy and Larry Ray DJ Kevin Silate Crawford Simpkins—Wells Fargo Advisors Jamie Watson Kathryn Williams Southwest Airlines Corrie Spohn—Pandora Substance 151 Rosemary Sullivan

The Brewer’s Art Howard County Executive Ken Ulman Total Wine & More welcomes guests Urban Green Environmental Rexanah Wise, Delorah Sanchez, & Kimberly Robinson Waterfront Kitchen Photos by DA Studios Johns Hopkins University & Medicine — Sponsor

Doing some online shopping for the holidays? Please do so through www.amazonsmile.com. They donate 0.5 % of your purchase to our organization! (Just be sure to designate us when you check out). You can also make your online purchases through www.goodshop.com to donate to us. (We’re easily found through “find a cause to support” on the homepage of the website!)

New CASA Program Coming to Cecil County

Cecil County will soon have a CASA program to serve children! A steering committee headed by The Honorable Jane Cairns Murray, Associate Judge with the Cecil County Circuit Court, has been working for several months to start the program, which is set to debut in January, 2015 .

With an overwhelming number of children entering the foster care system due to high rates of substance abuse in the County, the committee reached out to Maryland CASA to explore the pos- sibility of starting a program. Encompassing all factions of the child welfare system, the commit- Judge Jane Cairns Murray tee includes the Hon. Keith A Baynes, Administrative Judge, the Hon. Brenda Sexton, Associate “I have heard great things Judge, the Hon. V. Michael Whelan, Associate Judge, Nolanda Kirby, Family Support Services Co- about CASA from my col- ordinator, Matthew Barrett, Court Administrator, Sue Bailey, Director of Cecil County Department leagues across the state of Social Services (DSS), Alison Russell, DSS Supervisor, Michael Scibinico, DSS Attorney, Ka- and I am pleased that the rolyn Bowe and Michael Katz, attorneys with the Office of the Public Defender. children of Cecil County will soon have the support of To date, the steering committee has secured a $20,000 grant from the state’s Administrative trained volunteers to advo- Office of the Courts and a $15,000 grant from the Donaldson Brown Foundation to hire an exec- cate for their best inter- ests.” utive director, set up an office, and begin recruiting and training volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. If you are a resident of Cecil County and are interested in getting involved with the program, please contact us at 410-828-6761.

Please visit our website at www.marylandcasa.org where you will find all the latest information about what is going on at Maryland CASA and how you can get involved. You may also find us by searching Maryland CASA on Facebook, Twit- ter, and YouTube, so please connect with us! 222

Summer 2011 Maryland CASA Association Fall 2014 Maryland CASA Association

Consider Workplace Giving Please consider designat- ing Maryland CASA Asso- ciation for your work- place giving contributions You’ve heard of Black Friday and Cyber Mon- Want other ways to get involved with through the United Way, day, but have you ever heard of Giving Tues- #GivingTuesday? Be sure to take your Combined Federal Cam- day? “UNselfie” on this national day of giving. It’s paign, Maryland Charity easy! Just snap a photo of yourself holding Campaign and Baltimore Giving Tuesday is a national initiative to en- a sign stating the cause you support City Combined Charity courage citizens to give back during the holi- (Maryland CASA) and why you support Campaign. day season. Last year, Baltimore City was the them (because we’re awesome) and post to Maryland Charity Cam- nation’s top fundraiser with 5.3 MILLION social media using #Unselfie , paign & Baltimore City DOLLARS for Maryland’s nonprofits. This #MarylandGivesMore , #GivingTuesday CCC | 7802 year, the initiative has spread throughout Combined Federal Cam- the entire state of Maryland. The goal is to Check out our Facebook, Twitter, and Insta- paign | 20337 make Maryland the most generous state in gram pages for Examples! United Way | Please write the US on Tuesday, December 2, 2014! “Maryland CASA Association” https://www.facebook.com/maryland.casa on your United Way Pledge http://instagram.com/md_casa Card. Please support us on this national day of giv- ing by donating to our page: https://twitter.com/MDCASA

WWW.CROWDRISE.COM/ Also, please note that you are able to donate through Maryland CASA’s MARYLANDCASAASSOCIATION our webpage’s PayPal link. PayPal has agreed to Core Services match 1% of all donations on #GivingTuesday!

♦ Provide support and technical assistance to local CASA programs Another Successful Year for Team CASA

♦ Support the develop- ment of new CASA pro- at the Baltimore Running Festival! grams in the state

♦ Create opportunities for communication, net- working, and support for CASA program staff

♦ Disseminate current information to local CASA programs regard- ing federal and state legislation

♦ Increase awareness of CASA’s work and the needs of children who are abused and neglect- ed Members of Team CASA pose for a group photo in front of our charity tent

sor MECU of Baltimore. Fantastic Sponsors in- Other ways to help! For the sixth consecutive year, Maryland cluded The Boot Camp Girl, Making Good Work, CASA had a charity team competing in the Maryland CASA is actively The Towson Chamber of Commerce, Horsetail seeking opportunities to Baltimore Running Festival. Team CASA was Technologies, ORR Financial Planning, Glory Days spread awareness of the comprised of 145 runners and walkers who Grill, Capital One and Frito Lay. Super Sponsors impact a Court Appointed participated in the full marathon, half- included John Holman (State Farm Insurance) Special Advocate can have marathon, team relay and 5k during the an- and Azrael, Franz, Schwab, & Lipowitz, LLC. on the life of an abused or nual festival, held this year on Saturday, Oc- Please visit www.marylandcasa.org for a com- neglected child. tober 18th. More than $37,000 was raised plete list of retailers providing in kind support. through corporate sponsorships and donations If you know of any busi- in support of our runners, and all proceeds In addition to the runners and walkers, more nesses, offices, civic organ- will support Maryland CASA’s efforts to recruit than 45 volunteers helped out at the event, staff- izations, churches, commu- additional volunteers to serve as advocates ing the CASA water station and cheering on our nity or social clubs, etc. for children. runners and helping out at the Team CASA tent. that may be interested in learning about our initia- This year’s Extraordinary Sponsor was Mars Stay tuned for more info about our plans for tive, please call us at 410- Super Markets, followed by Incredible Spon- 2015! 828-6761 or contact patrick @marylandcasa.org Thank you to all of our wonderful runners, walkers, volunteers, donors and sponsors! Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year! 333

Summer 2011 Maryland CASA Association Fall 2014 Maryland CASA Association

Staff: Meet Our Newest Board Members

Ed Kilcullen State Director Alon Moritz - Mr. Moritz is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Funding Home Health Patrick Seidl Services, LLC. He graduated from the Tel-Aviv Business College with an emphasis on Development & Communi- Financial Management and served for 14 years as a Non Commissioned Officer in the cations Associate Airborne Paramedic Special Forces Unit. Mr. Moritz was a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour for two years. He is excited to join CASA to help give a voice to children Adenike Akintilo when they need it most. He will be heading up the board’s Resource Development Administrative Assistant Committee to increase CASA’s reach to as many children as possible. Wayne Lawson Information Technology Pier Blake – Ms. Blake brings 20 years of experience in development, fundraising and Specialist nonprofit work to the board and will be a valued asset to the mission and work of Mar- yland CASA. Blake serves as the executive director of Jack and Jill of America Founda- What is a CASA tion, Inc. which acts to influence the ongoing positive development of children. Ms. ??? Blake hopes to incorporate her expertise in nonprofits to further develop MD CASA’s A Court Appointed Spe- ability to serve more abused and neglected children. cial Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer who is appointed by a juvenile Akisha Townsend Eaton – Ms. Eaton is a Howard County, MD resident who brings an court judge to serve as understanding of Maryland CASA, its mission, and its work through her involvement an advocate for a child who is under court pro- with Kentucky CASA, where she served as an intern. She currently works at World Ani- tection due to abuse or mal Net where she is the Senior Policy and Legal Resource Advisor. Ms. Eaton is com- neglect. The CASA volun- mitted to the mission of MD CASA and is enthused to help every Marylander learn teer gathers information about the importance of Court Appointed Special Advocates. from the child, his/her family, foster family, social worker, teachers, counse- Joan Tuttle McGill – Ms. McGill is the President of the Dillingham Company where she lors and others involved in works in Real Estate marketing. She served for 13 years as a Court Appointed Special his/her life and makes Advocate in Baltimore County and also served on the Board of Directors for six years. recommendations to Ms. McGill attended . She recently joined our Public Relations Com- help the court make de- mittee and is looking forward to helping Maryland CASA serve more of the foster chil- cisions that are in the dren of our state. child’s best interest. 444

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