FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 2014

CONTACT: Lexie Boris | 434-971-7515 | [email protected] | pcasa.org

Charlottesville Radio Group Gives Piedmont CASA Kids a Big Voice

Piedmont CASA is thrilled to announce that the Charlottesville Radio Group has awarded us a Community Awareness Grant consisting of over $65,000 worth of advertising on five radio stations: Newsradio 1070 (WINA), Lite Rock Z95.1 (WQMZ), ESPN Radio 1450 (WVAX), 106.1 The Corner (WCNR), and 97.5 3WV (WWWV).

This generous grant means that Piedmont CASA can reach tens of thousands of Charlottesville area radio listeners every day for an entire year. That on-air presence will enable us to recruit more Volunteers, enhance public awareness of child abuse and neglect as well as its impact on our community, and keep the public informed about important new initiatives to help these young victims.

A campaign using this grant to recruit volunteers for Piedmont CASA began this month, and has already made a big difference. Because the grant gives Piedmont CASA air time through July 31st, 2015, we will be able to do a second volunteer recruitment campaign in the spring, and several public awareness campaigns between now and then, such as Fostering Futures.

Fostering Futures is a new training program that is being implemented this year. It will enable Volunteers to advocate more effectively for older youth in foster care so they develop the connections, resources, and supports they need to make a safer and more effective transition out of the system, and into independent living.

“This grant provides an incredible opportunity for us to reach an enormous audience,” said Piedmont CASA President Alicia Lenahan, “People who may ultimately decide to become CASA Volunteers.”

Founded in 1995, Piedmont CASA trains community Volunteers to advocate for over 200 abused and neglected children each year before the courts of the 16th Judicial District of . These children range in age from newborn to 18. Research shows that children with CASA Volunteers spend less time in court, less time in foster homes, and find safe and permanent homes faster – all keys to breaking the vicious cycle of abuse and neglect. No other organization provides this service, and they do not charge fees.

pcasa.org

PIEDMONT CASA, INC. | 818 EAST HIGH STREET, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22902 | 434.971.7515 | [email protected] | PCASA.ORG