Program Chairman, Brian Larawayintroduced our guest, Renee Battafarano, Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children. Their Mission Statement: "To provide trained community volunteers to represent the best interest of abused and neglected children in the Juvenile Court." And that is exactly what they do....and they do it well.Started in 1977 by Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington by asking community volunteers to assist the court by researching and representing the best interest of abused and neglected children. It has become a National Program serving 100,000 children annually.Volunteers investigate cases by reviewing records and talking with anyone who has information about the child: parents, teachers, neighbors, doctors, school officials, and the child. The CASA volunteer attends all court hearings and reviews regarding the case. He/she then submits findings and a written recommendation to the court. CASA is a private, non-profit agency located at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center and has been in existence since 1988. Anyone interested in learning more or becoming a volunteer please call the CASA office at 330-740-2239. If you are interested in a donation to help these children, please make checks payable to Mahoning County CASA Program and send to:CASA, Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center, 300 E. Scott St., Youngstown, OH 44505.
PRESIDENT Karl opened today's meeting andcalled on Gary Reel to give the Invocation,Pledge and he also led us in singing, "God Bless America". Tony Cebriak gave us an A.
Guests were : Justin Toth, Paul Ho from Canfield, Renee Battafarano (speaker) from C A S A and Daniele Wayland and her mom.
Frank Santisi led us in the "When You're Happy" song AGAIN. This time we did very well. TC gave another "A".
APRIL 26: Roadside Cleanup
APRIL 28: Rescue Mission & Mentoring Day (Toby Mirto will be mentoring).
APRIL 30: Board Meeting 7:30 AM at Lucianno's
MAY 25: Incoming Board Meeting at Dr. Cafaro's office on Rt. 46 at 6 P.M.
JUNE 28: President's Party at Barry Dinglesat 1601 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown
FELLOWSHIP: Melissa fined anyone that didn't buy candy from Karl for his daughter's trip to Camp Fitch. (You should have seen how fast that box was passed around !!)
PROGRAM: Renee Battafarano, Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children. Our thanks to Brian and to Renee for a wonderful program.
Guests were : Justin Toth, Paul Ho from Canfield, Renee Battafarano (speaker) from C A S A and Daniele Wayland and her mom.
Frank Santisi led us in the "When You're Happy" song AGAIN. This time we did very well. TC gave another "A".
APRIL 26: Roadside Cleanup
APRIL 28: Rescue Mission & Mentoring Day (Toby Mirto will be mentoring).
APRIL 30: Board Meeting 7:30 AM at Lucianno's
MAY 25: Incoming Board Meeting at Dr. Cafaro's office on Rt. 46 at 6 P.M.
JUNE 28: President's Party at Barry Dinglesat 1601 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown
FELLOWSHIP: Melissa fined anyone that didn't buy candy from Karl for his daughter's trip to Camp Fitch. (You should have seen how fast that box was passed around !!)
PROGRAM: Renee Battafarano, Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children. Our thanks to Brian and to Renee for a wonderful program.