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CASAof Will County Court Appointed Special Advocates A child’s voice FOR CHILDREN in the court. CASA of Will County is a United Way agency and a member of National CASA Association CASA OF WILL COUNTY 2012 ANNUAL REPORT POWERLESS CHILDREN NEED POWERFUL FRIENDS INTRODUCTION Dear Friends of CASA, I am very pleased to present the CASA of Will County Annual Report for FY 2012. We are happy to share that the past year represented another period of growth and incremental success for the organization. Last year, CASA of Will County built on the foundation created by our newly-implemented three-year strategic plan to put into place new goals for growing the program and increasing awareness. Specifically, we set forth objectives to accomplish the following: • Increase donor/sponsor retention and engagement through consistent messaging, enhanced sponsor and marketing tools and increased value for partner marketing opportunities • Convert fans and followers to donors and volunteers through improvement of events based on participant feedback and regular communication of our mission and needs • Spread awareness through increased PR, media relations efforts and social media activities as well as maintaining a presence at area community and business events We are beginning to experience a “buzz” within the community and an excitement at our fundraising events in which our needs are being heard and individuals and local businesses want to be a part of our cause. As we continue to build upon our successes, we have another full year of fundraising events planned as well as regular volunteer training opportunities so that we can continue to fund and serve our programs and the children in need within our community. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters we remain fiscally strong and committed to our mission. As always, we could not do the work we do without our advocates, volunteers, staff and partners. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue making a difference in the lives of the children of Will County, providing them with a promise for the future. Thank you for joining us in our mantra, “I am for the child.” Best Regards, Kevin Manson President CASA of Will County Board of Directors CASA OF WILL COUNTY 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Communities Served Beecher Bolingbrook Braidwood Abuse Channahon Crest Hill Crete Neglect Custer Park Elwood Frankfort Green Garden Homer Glen Joliet Lockport Manhattan 2012 CASA Client Demographics Percentage gender: Minooka Female: 50% Mokena Male: 50% Monee Naperville* Percentage age groups served: New Lenox Birth to Age 5: 32% Peotone Age 6 to 11: 25% Plainfield Age 12 to 15: 20% Rockdale Age 16 to 17: 11% Age 18 and over: 12% Romeoville Shorewood Percentage of ethnicity: Steger African American: 48% Tinley Park* Asian American: 1% University Park Caucasian: 38% Latino: 11% *Will County only Other: 2% FINANCIALS CASA of Will County, Inc. Statement of Financial Position - Modified Cash Basis September 30, 2012 and 2011 2012 2011 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents 080 71235 Short-term investments 3177 2705 Total Current Assets ,0 3,0 Office Furniture and Fixtures Office furniture 3671 3671 Computer hardware and software 15255 15255 Less: Accumulated depreciation 18161 17285 Total ffice Furniture and Fixtures 1,1 Total Assets ,32 ,1 NET ASSETS et Assets Unrestricted 4832 75581 Total et Assets ,32 ,1 2012 Functional Expenses 16 6 Program Services Administrative 78 Fundraising CASA OF WILL COUNTY 2012 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Polar Express 2013 “Have a Heart Last year’s event was enhanced to reach Tinley Park for the Child” Benefit residents by forming a new partnership with the Tinley Park Fire Department and Home Depot to include a Auction Gala The Benefit Auction was “Santa’s Workshop” for ticket holders and provided free re-branded as the “Have a to the general public. Heart for the Child” Gala and was held Feb. 22 at the Patrick C. Haley Mansion in Joliet. Upgraded amenities were offered at a higher ticket price and still attracted more than 200 guests. We anticipate the 20th Anniversary 2014 event to be the best to date! • Event sold out in a record two days • More than 1,100 participants between Joliet and Tinley Park • Featured in local newspapers YEAR IN REVIEW YEAR IN REVIEW • Attracted 200+ We are excited to announce attendees and that our special guest for 2014 set a fundraising is Joliet native Tom Thayer – record for this member of the ‘85 Bears and event current WBBM broadcaster. • Featured in local newspapers • Featured Dr. Sandy Goldberg of NBC Chicago as emcee and Jarrett Payton as special guest • McDonald’s 2013 “Golf for the Child” Classic Corporation Hosted a successful first annual golf outing, the was Presenting “Golf for the Child Classic,” on June 28, 2013. Sponsor Created as high-end event that can be grown over time. • Attracted more than 70 attendees and numerous sponsors in its inaugural year • Secured a dedicated URL at www.golfforthechild.com • Hosted by Ruffled Feathers Golf Club, a premier golf facility • Featured Jarrett Payton as special guest and hosted area VIPs and golf media CASA OF WILL COUNTY 2012 ANNUAL REPORT JESSICA’S JOURNEY Jessica was 13 years old when the severe abuse and neglect she had endured throughout her childhood was discovered, and she was made a ward of the court. Luckily, CASA of Will County was assigned to her case. The staff at CASA took a personal interest in Jessica’s case at all levels: from her personal CASA Advocate, to the Case Manager, to the Executive Director, the CASA staff worked together as a team in order to ensure that Jessica’s needs were met, and that she had a voice. Jessica grew up being beaten with any object within her mother’s reach, while her mother screamed at her that she wished Jessica was dead. Jessica had no one to turn to, and “I love no safe haven where she could hide. When Jessica came into the foster the bond care system, she moved into a new foster home seven times within a two we have year period – even after she was removed from the danger of her mother’s home, Jessica created. still felt isolated and insecure due to the inconsistency of her foster care placements. Because of this, Jessica was extremely untrusting and acted out due to her emotional It is so turmoil. Her world seemed a very angry and hostile place. special Jessica’s advocate worked tirelessly to show Jessica that there was good in the world, to me.” and that people could be trusted. Every time Jessica was moved to a different foster care placement, her CASA advocate was there. Jessica’s CASA advocate also discreetly -Jessica made visits to Jessica’s high school, speaking with counselors, deans, and teachers to intervene and lend support in making sure that everyone around Jessica worked as a team to help her succeed. It took over a year for Jessica to let her guard down with her advocate, but eventually she learned that her advocate truly cared and was someone that Jessica could count on. Once Jessica placed her trust in her advocate, she began to blossom. Jessica’s advocate was there for her during her senior “There has never been a prom and high school graduation, cheering her on and supporting her every step of the way. Jessica’s CASA time when I have called advocate also helped her transition into college, where my CASA and she wasn’t Jessica will soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She hopes to one day help others, just like her CASA there for me. She is the best, advocate helped her. and I am grateful to have a Though Jessica is no longer a ward of the court, her supporter like her in my life.” relationship with her CASA will remain forever. They have become family. -Jessica ANNUAL APPEAL WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP As you saw from Jessica’s story, a CASA Advocate makes a tremendous impact on the life of a child. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to provide the kind of one-on-one support that only a CASA can give. Imagine the child who has been harmed through no fault of their own. It costs $1,000 to provide a CASA advocate for that child for an entire year. Last year we did a great job in serving 274 children in Will County. That number represents 50 percent of all children who came into care, leaving nearly 300 who were left behind to navigate the court system without an advocate because we lacked the funding to reach them. It would take an additional $100,000 for us to reach our goal of serving 100 percent of the children in need. That amount is also the equivalent of nearly THREE additional case managers to oversee those children. That is a lot of money, but it is attainable with people like you to be a friend to those children in need. So how do we achieve our goal? Just as we have all along – step by step. Imagine that the children we are currently unable to serve are the kids in your neighborhood, your children’s classmates and friends. In fact, your children. These children belong to all of us. We ask now . who among you is willing to be a friend to those children in need? Can you sponsor a child? Please consider your pledge based on your ability to give, taking into consideration the following: • $1,000 = One child for 2014 • $500 = One child for six months • $250 = One child for three months (or one quarter-year) Or, perhaps you can sponsor more than one child.

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