Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kern County

♦ 1717 Columbus Street Bakersfield, CA 93305 ♦ Telephone: (661) 631-2272 ♦ Fax: (661) 328-9787 ♦

Website: www.kerncasa.org ♦ Email: kerncasa@kerncasa.org

Speak Up!

Winter 2017

Founded in 1993 by the Junior League of Bakersfield and Community Volunteers

2017 Children’s Champions Don C. & Diane S. Lake Foundation and Chevron

Every child needs a Hero, but abused children need Superheroes!

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CASA’s Executive Director with a message

Loosen those ties, slip off those heels, and grab your cape! We are excited to see our CASA Superhero Run quickly approach. Bring your children, compete with your co-workers and family and get healthy with CASA! As you jog or walk or race at the Park at Riverwalk we promise to increase your knowledge about child abuse in our community and share with you about how to get involved. Please plan on staying for our vendor fare, grab one of Leal’s breakfast burritos, and join in the fun. I am particularly interested in the

media run, to see which local radio and television personalities claim their trophy! See you on the trail! Colleen A. McGauley, MPA Executive Director

Leslie Golich, President Kaiser Permanente

Teresa Leal, Vice President PROS, Inc.

Mark Bateman, Secretary LeBeau Thelen, LLP

Ryan M. Cunha, Treasurer CBIZ & Mayer Hoffman McCann

Lynne J. Carrithers Aera Energy, LLC Tami Chapman Johasee Rebar

Dave Ewert Excelleration Consulting

Brandon Grimm Grimmway Farms

Tyler Hufstetler California Resources Corporation

Sam Itani San Joaquin Community Hospital

Cindy Minner Wells Fargo Carla Musser Chevron Pritesh Patel Valley Republic Bank

Heather Pennella Wine Women & Shoes

Michael Saltz Consultant

Sally Selby Kaiser Permanente

Melissa Sullivan The Bakersfield Californian

Kate Tandy KQT Consulting

Tom Tupper Retired Financial Advisor

Jesse Valencia Citizens Bank

Jeff Warren Klein DeNatale Goldner

Shannon Webster Daniells Phillips Vaughan & Bock, CPA

Barry Zoeller Tejon Ranch

Colleen A. McGauley CASA of Kern County, Ex. Dir.

Russ Garner Advocate Liaison

The Directors

2016-2017 Board of Directors

Bakersfield Orientation Dates

(at the CASA Office unless stated otherwise) Monday, March 6th at 12pm

Wednesday, March 8th at 5:30pm. Saturday, March 11th at 9am

Monday, March 13th at 10am at Dagny’s 1600 20th St Wednesday, March 22nd, at 12pm at Sugar Twist 9500 Brimhall Rd

Other Kern Orientation Dates Friday, March 17th, 12pm @ College Community Center 113 E. F St. Tehachapi, CA

Saturday, March 25th, 10am @Covenant Coffee in Shafter 1101 E Lerdo Hwy

Volunteer Recruitment Team

The Volunteer Recruitment Team (VRT) is a group made up of Advocates and non-Advocates who help spread the word about CASA and help recruit potential volunteers

throughout Kern County. Ways you can help:

If you would be interested in learning more please contact Diana Ramirez, Community Outreach Coordinator at (661) 631-2272

Visit www.kerncasa.org or call the CASA office at 661.631.2272 for more dates!

Orientations News and Radio Interviews Flyer Distribution

Interviews Community Presentations Community Events/ Info Booths

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Kelley Allen Antonette Ayers Ann Beman Margaret (Peggy) Bergman-Smith Kelly Blikre Jon (Chris) Boyd Susan Boyd Angela (Angie) Boyler Amiee Brannen Glenda Braun Carolyn Buck Aaron Campos Lisa Campuzano Ashley Candelaria Rose Candelaria Olivia Carrasco Julie Cesare Mary Coleman Cheryl Collins Leticia Cordova Karyn Cosper Randy Coulter Karen Covington Danielle Cox Margaret DeArmond Jamie Defoor Tara Delis Marcia Dickey Amber Dixon Dorsey Driggs Christi Dugas Cramer Kelsey Eddings Traci Elrich

Tammie Fanning Jennifer Figueiredo Lauren Figueroa Lourdes Flores Jacqueline Garcia Janet Garcia Joanna Garcia Timothy Garcia Veronica Garcia Russell A Garner Kristin Garrett David George James (Jim) George Roberta (Bobbie) George Angelica Gomez Rosa Gomez Veronica Green Javier Guzman Micky Heppe Linda Hernandez Pamela Hernandez Juan Herrera-Olea Arthur Hill Sally Hill Margaret (Peggy) Horn Charles Huffman Adriana Humphrey William Humphrey Margaret Jephson Insiya Kader Cyndi Kaliterna Brenda Keele Barbara (Bobbi) Kirkegaard-Jensen Michelle Lumis

Jessica Lynam Alexandria (Allie) Madrid Pat Mahan Ruthann Marquez Lela Martin Audrey Martinez Christina McKelvey Stephanie Mendoza Jessica Meneses Gaylene Merz Donna Miller Kenneth Miller Lora Minton Erin Mizell Nakiya Moiyadi Donald Moss Vera Nard Kelli Neuman Veronica Oglesby Ty Ohanneson Jenny Oliver Maricela Ortiz Kathryn (Katie) Palla Jane Parsons Armando Pena Cristal Perez Mary (Sue) Porter Lorinda Porterfield April Presa Cheryl Prude Linda Quezada-Dominguez Cynthia Quintino Martha (Diana) Ramirez Lorena Resendiz David Reynolds

Helen Rosario Rivera Debbie Rohatsch Jim Ruiz Lizbeth Sanchez Marlene Sanchez Jerry Saville Judy Saville Janet Shaw Trenton Spears Pamela Spitzer Betty Stalnaker Gerald (Jerry) Starr Sarah Summers Corinne Thompson Fran Thompson Theresa Thompson Randy Tinsley Dwight Todd Judith Todd Linda Traynor Mary VanderWerff Maria D Vargas Robert White Jr. Cholli Williams Irene Williams Shannon Williams Linda Marie Witt Yazmin Zavala

Did you know? The color of a CASA’s name badge can tell you how long they have been a CASA volunteer. A blue badge means 1-2 years of volunteering A white badge means 3-4 years of volunteering A red badge means 5-9 years of volunteering A silver badge means 10 years of volunteering.

You make the difference! Active on a case from

07/01/2016– 01/02/2017 or a graduate of a CASA 2015 training class

Program Partners support the work of CASA. Thank you for supporting these generous donors.

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Our Donors Who Make it Possible

The donors listed gave to CASA of Kern County during October 2, 2016 to January 2, 2017 CASA of Kern County relies on private donations so we can continue our important mission advocating for safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children. We thank the following individuals, companies, foundations and organizations for caring about Kern County’s children who are in the juvenile dependency system. Every effort was made to include all donors. Please call the office at (661) 631-2272 if we misspelled your name or inadvertently missed your name.

Corporate Contributions Chevron Citizen's Business Bank Grimmway Enterprises, Inc. Pro Tool Services, Inc. Providence Strategic Consulting, Inc. Wonderful Company

Organization/Foundation AmazonSmile Foundation AT&T Charis Fund Chevron Humankind Cruz Thru Express County of Kern Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust Edison International Five and Dime Antique Mall In-N-Out Burger Foundation Jerry Slough Farming Co. Judicial Council of California Kern Family Healthcare Kiwanis Club of Delano KVSP Charity Fund Drive Lake Family Foundation Lazzerini Family Foundation Leonis Family Foundation New Wine Church Nonprofit's Insurance Alliance of California Patricia Crail Brown Foundation Pennell & Pennell, LLC San Dimas Medical Group SBI Parking Lot & Highway Improvement Scripps Howard Foundation UBS Wonderful Giving

Corporate In Kind Contribution Baby Sightings Bakersfield Condors Professional Hockey Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra BMW of Bakersfield Bolles Nursery Bright House California Resources Corporation Calvin Klein Chef's Noodle Bar Cotton Patch Quilt Guild Cricklewood Dewar's Corporation Garces Memorial High School-Interact Club Grimmway Enterprises, Inc. Russo's Books

Individual Contributions Dr. and Mrs. Mark Evans Dr. and Mrs. Mark Miller Dr. and Mrs. Paul Fuller Dr. and Mrs. Robert Barnes Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Berry Dr. Donald Fitzgerald Dr. Gregory Heyart Dr. Portia S Choi Miss Cheyenne Stiles Miss Diane Lake Mr. and Mrs. Alan Tandy Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ghilarducci Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pacini Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Robert Staugaard Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Cattani Mr. and Mrs. Barry Townsend Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sandrini Mr. and Mrs. Brad Hays Mr. and Mrs. Carl Glatz

Individual Contributions (cont.) Mr. and Mrs. Dan Nobles Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marble Mr. and Mrs. David Norris Mr. and Mrs. David Stiles Mr. and Mrs. David Williams Mr. and Mrs. Dewan Kerley Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Tack Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fornasero Mr. and Mrs. Gary Henderson Mr. and Mrs. Gary Ross Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Handel Mr. and Mrs. Greg Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Goodwin Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mack Mr. and Mrs. James Black Mr. and Mrs. James Elmore Mr. and Mrs. James Harding Mr. and Mrs. James Saiki Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod McNaughton Mr. and Mrs. Jay Ericsson Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Helper Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cesare Mr. and Mrs. Joel Martinez Mr. and Mrs. John Bryant Mr. and Mrs. John Geiger Mr. and Mrs. John Peter Kousakis Mr. and Mrs. Keith Brice Mr. and Mrs. Keith Shotts Mr. and Mrs. Ken Jones Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Coday Mr. and Mrs. Lee Brown Mr. and Mrs. Livio Mazzei Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blaine Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hankins Mr. and Mrs. Moyle Braithwaite Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Loschke Mr. and Mrs. Paul Owens Mr. and Mrs. Randall Martin Mr. and Mrs. Rick Jones Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allison Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hampton Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Eaves Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Jeffries Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Steven Del Papa Mr. and Mrs. Tom Anton Mr. and Mrs. Troy Fringer Mr. and Mrs. Warren Haupt Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Kirschenman Mr. and Mrs. William McMahan Mr. and Mrs. William Reifel Mr. and Ms. Alan Neuman Mr. and Ms. Donald Cornforth Mr. and Ms. Robert Limi Mr. David Reed Mr. Edgar Annva Mr. Foster Campbell Mr. Fred Valentich Mr. Gerald (Jerry) Starr Mr. Gregory Dellner Mr. Henry Scharf Ms. Marjorie Trens Mr. Hugh Sardoff Mr. Keith Stonebraker Mr. Kenneth Khuu , D.D.S. Mr. Lawrence Pollard Mr. Mathew Zaninovich Mr. Michael Bennett Mr. Michael Lane Mr. Michael Solko Mr. Paul Andre Mr. Phillip Gomez

Individual Contributions (cont.) Mr. Randall Fort Mr. Randy Coulter Mr. Robert Fowler Mr. Ron Womack Mr. Salvador Quezada Mr. Thomas Alexander Ms. Tanya Hildebrand Mr. Thomas Campbell Mr. Timothy Gorham Ms. Erika Monet Mr. William Humphrey Mr. William R Edmonds Mrs. Betty Higby Mrs. Elouise Alexander Mrs. Nancy Fogle Pollard Mrs. Thelmagene Hopper Mrs. Yolanda Griffiths Ms. Annika Bowser Ms. Claire O'Connor Frisch Ms. Colleen Ann McGauley Ms. Cynthia Chase Ms. Dolores (Dee) Whitley Ms. Evelyn Corrigan Ms. Gloria Dominguez Ms. Isabel Navarro Ms. Jane Parsons Ms. Jennifer Figueiredo Ms. Jerelle Kavanagh Ms. Jimmie Sue Lemos Ms. JoDena Burzlaff Ms. Judy Lehmeier Ms. Katherine Cesare Ms. Kathryn Friesen Ms. Kathy Hill Ms. Kristin Garrett

Ms. Lauren Ash-Anderson Ms. Linda Lopez Ms. Lindsay Coleman Ms. Marcella Yoon Ms. Margaret "Peggy Gardner Ms. Margaret "Peggy" Horn Ms. Mary E Vanderwerff Ms. Maureen Kermend Ms. Nicole Delmarter Ms. Olina Carrasco Ms. Patty Keefer Ms. Rosina Dewar Ms. Sheila Dormier Ms. Terry Meyer Ms. Veronica Green Ms. Victoria Martinez-Tate Reverend and Mrs. Charles Cournyea Supervisor and Mrs. Raymond Watson The Honorable and Mrs. Robert Anspach

In Kind Contributions Mr. Fernando Aguirre Mr. Gurvinder (Rick) Jhaj Mr. William Temple Ms. Amber Dixon Ms. Catherine Bennett Ms. Iva Fredrick Ms. Jennifer Ward Ms. Karen Covington Ms. Kay Hall Ms. Kimberlee Moss Ms. Linda Witt Ms. Mallory Hughes Ms. Margaret Jephson Ms. Pam Spitzer Ms. Robin Zomanovich

Legacy Giving Mr.and Mrs. Daniel M. Marble Mr. and Mrs. Jarod McNaughton Ms. Margaret DeArmond Mrs. Marily Anton Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Shannon Ericsson Mr. and Mrs. Tom and Judy Tupper

Honorary Gifts

In Honor of Colleen McGauley by

Dr. and Mrs. Mark Miller

In Honor of Garth Corrigan by

Ms. Evelyn Corrigan

In Honor of Janet Shaw by

Ms. Margaret "Peggy Gardner

In Honor of John & Marilyn Edly by Mr. Gregory Dellner

In Honor of Kim & Dave Ivarie by

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cesare

In Honor of Norm & Jeanne Dellner by Mr. Gregory Dellner

In Honor of Paul & Susie Shannon by Mr. Gregory Dellner

In Honor of Robert Alimirzaie by

Ms. Jane Parsons

In Honor of Teri & Ken Jones by

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Jones

Memorial Gifts

In Memory of Bonnie Fitzgerald by Mr. and Mrs. Livio Mazzei

In Memory of Bonnie Fitzgerald by Ms. Colleen Ann McGauley

In Memory of Chris DeArmond by Ms. Kathy Hill

In Memory of Joe and Dorothy

Nobles by Mr. and Mrs. Dan Nobles

In Memory of Mac McMurtrey by

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Hankins

In Memory of Marilyn Kitchen by Mrs. Catherine Haupt

In Memory of Merlin Frasch by

Ms. Jimmie Sue Lemos

In Memory of Michael Kermend by Ms. Maureen Kermend

In Memory of Paul Griffiths by

Mrs. Yolanda Griffiths

In Memory of Ruth Davis by

Ms. Jimmie Sue Lemos

In Memory of Tharrell Ming by

Mrs. Betty Higby

In Memory of Thomas Owen Vickery by Ms. Mary E Vanderwerff

In Memory of Tony Keihl by

Mrs. Toni R. Tack

In Memory of Warren Ash by

Ms. Lauren Ash-Anderson

In Memory of William Wetzel by

Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Coday

In Memory of Wilma F Owens by Mrs. Carole Owens

Circle of Hope —Charter Members Mr. and Mrs. Michael Chertok Ms. Terry Foley Mr. and Mrs. Jules Ghyselinck Mrs. Micky Heppe Mr. Gregory Heyart Ms. Judy Lehmeier Ms. Colleen McGauley Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Orren Mr. and Mrs. Alan Tandy

Circle of Hope

Dr. and Mrs. Mark Evans Dr. and Mrs. Matthew Malerich Dr. and Mrs. William Prewett Dr. James George Dr. Roberta George Kiwanis Club of Delano Mr. and Mrs. Barry Zoeller Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Straub Mr. and Mrs. Don Banks Mr. and Mrs. John McGauley Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mariani Mr. and Mrs. Pritesh Patel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Duchow Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tupper Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Rojas Mr. Gregory Heyart Mr. Jesse Valencia Mr. Jon Zaninovich Mrs. Carla Musser Mrs. Janet Shaw Mrs. Jennifer Adams Mrs. Kate Tandy Mrs. Kathy Orren Mrs. Leslie Golich Mrs. Marily Anton Mrs. Micky Heppe Mrs. Sally Selby Mrs. Sheila Fry Mrs. Sue Berry Mrs. Virginia Ghyselinck Ms. Barbara Tongate Ms. Bethany Peak Ms. Colleen Ann McGauley Ms. E. Robin Fleming Ms. Jane Parsons Ms. Judy Lehmeier Ms. Margaret DeArmond Ms. Margaret Duncan-Jephson Ms. Therese Foley

2017 Celebrations Party Hosts Mr. and Mrs. Andrew & Beth Pandol Ms. Barbara Tongate Mr. Barry Zoeller Ms. Carla Musser Ms. Cindy Minner Mr. David Gordon Dr. Jim & Cheryl Saiki Ms. Jane Parsons Mr. and Mrs. Jeff & Lisa Green Ms. Joanna Reed Ms. Joe Colombo Ms. Laura Wegis Wright Ms. Lauren Larios Ms. Leslie Golich Ms. Margaret DeArmond Ms. Margo Raison Ms. Marj Dow Ms. Melissa Sullivan Mr and Mrs. Michael & Suzanne Saltz Mr. Michael Valpredo Mr. and Mrs. Mike & Dona Chertok Mr. Randall Martin Ms. Renee Goodwin Mr. Robert Alimirzaie Mr. Robert Carbone Ms. Shelley Northrop Mr. Steve Illingsworth Ms. Tracy Kiser Mr. Tyler Hufstetler Mr. and Mrs. Walter & Marie Parsons Mr. Zach Martin

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Why do you give to Circle of Hope?

CASA is helping children every day and every month. One time donations are great, but monthly contributions can keep the mission going forever.

What is the Circle of Hope Giving Program?

Circle of Hope Interview with

Michael Mariani

Circle of Hope is CASA’s Monthly giving program. As a member of the Circle, your tax deductible gift makes a tremendous difference in our ability to provide abused children with Advocates.

Check out the CASA website for more information on our

Amazing 2017 Celebration Parties, Tickets On Sale Now!

www.kerncasa.org

A special thanks to these supporters for making the holidays bright.

American General Media

CSUB Student Body

Garces High School

Karen Covington

Kim Moss

Margaret Jephson

Outlets at Tejon

Rick and Neetu Jhay

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elder

Russo Books

William Temple

And the CASA Volunteers

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How long have you been a CASA? This summer will be eight years since I became a CASA volunteer. Why did you choose CASA? The commercials for CASAs had pulled on my heart for years. When my husband and I became “empty nesters” I finally had the time to look in to it. I knew right away—even during the orientation--that it was something that I wanted to do—a great match for me personally. Two of our four children were in foster care before we adopted them, I taught school for many years, love children, and also appreciated the flexibility of the volunteering commitment. How soon after training did you get your first case? I received my first case within a couple of weeks of completing the training. My first case involved a 4-year-old boy, the son of a single-mom, newly “clean” and trying to make it on her own. He had just been returned to her care from a loving foster home in which the foster parents wanted to adopt him. He had bonded with the family, but the birth mom was really trying. I soon discovered that it is not always

easy to determine and give a “best placement” recommendation.

How many cases have you had since? I have had eight cases since—all as a traditional CASA, until my most recent case,

as a “Family Connections” CASA. With the recent declining health of my mother, I decided to try FC instead of discontinuing being a CASA. This has worked quite well since FC has different tasks, and I am able to do much of my work at home.

Which case do you feel had the most positive effect on the child (children)? In some cases I felt really helpful, and in others, I ended wondering how things were going to turn out. However, on my current case for Family Connections, I can truly see what “finding family connections” for this 9-year-old boy in foster care is doing for him. For him to now know that he has family that loves him and cares about him, has been exceptionally rewarding to see. Establishing these relations not only makes a difference for him while in foster care, but potentially for the rest of his life. Give an example of a problem you encountered with a case and how it was resolved. I remember feeling so inexperienced and nervous when I began as a CASA. But early on I learned that help was just a phone call away. With any problems that have arisen in my cases, my supervisors have always been a wealth of information and ideas. The CASA staff not only has the experience to help me through questionable situations, but they seem to have a synergetic bond, so that TOGETHER, we have always come up with solutions.

What can you say about the CASA program in general? After seeing the difference that “another set of eyes and

ears” makes in recommendations to the court, I believe it is an invaluable resource for the well-being of children in the system. How can a social worker, attorney, or judge, possibly get a clear picture of the situation when they have such limited exposure to the child’s life?

What can you say about our local CASA staff? I’m sure you all agree—“They are the bomb!” It’s clearly evident

that every staff member is loving, caring, helpful, and truly has the best interest of the children at heart. How easy or difficult has it been for you to incorporate your volunteer work with your everyday schedule? I’m retired now so it’s easy! (But I started working as a CASA two years prior to my retirement. It was not so easy, but quite “do-able” since we can set up our own visiting times. With that flexibility and the support of the wonderful supervisors, it worked.)

Just a small effort on your part can make a big difference to our mission

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Meet the CASA Board

Shannon Webster, CASA Board Director

Family Connections Success Story Emily*, age 15, has spent the last five and a half years in foster care.

She was assigned a Family Connections CASA in November 2015. After many months of file mining, 21 letters were sent out to her family in October 2016. CASA received four response letters from Emily’s family members. One of the letters came from her aunt, whom Emily had shared a close relationship with as a child. In November 2016, Emily and her aunt were able to meet face to face for the first time in over five years! Even more exciting and hopeful than that was the invitation Emily received to spend Thanksgiving with her aunt’s family; Emily’s first holiday spent with family since entering into the foster care system.

*name changed for confidentiality, photo is a child actor

What is the CASA Family Connections Program?

The CASA Family Connections program will identify and engage family members in the lives of children in the foster care system. The project focuses on connecting children who have few or no relationships with their extended family members. Our goal is to connect foster children with as many appropriate family members as possible and to ultimately gain permanent life connections.

CASA Of Kern County 1717 Columbus Street Bakersfield, CA 93305 (661) 631-2272 www.kerncasa.org

CASA of Kern County is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation

Non-Profit Organization U. S. Postage

P A I D Permit No. 1121

CASA of Kern County Wish List

Food and Drink coupons for our kids

Printing costs for training material

(both for advocates and kids)

Bottled water for Advocates

Hygiene items for Teens

Photo copy paper

Roll of stamps

@kerncasa @CASAofKernCounty

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