The CASA Connection
Message from the Executive Director

Hello Friends of CASA,
 
We hope you are enjoying your summer and staying healthy!  At DuPage CASA, we are delighted to be out in the community and we have been welcomed to several community organization gatherings.  It has been a pleasure to reconnect with old friends and meet new friends as well.
 
Speaking of new friends, I am pleased to congratulate our most recent class of new Volunteer Advocates!  This month, we returned to in-person advocate training and the entire team welcomed the advocate trainees on their first day of training.  We are genuinely appreciative of the significant commitment it takes to become a CASA Volunteer Advocate and we know our advocates make a profound impact on the lives of children every day! 
 
As we completed our fiscal year last month, I am proud to report that we have continued to provide a trained volunteer advocate to 100% of children in DuPage County who were removed from their homes because of abuse and neglect. 
 
Thank you for your part in supporting CASA of DuPage County!

Warm regards, 
P.S. Looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, Wheaton Brew Fest on August 7th and the CASA Mad Hatter Gala on October 2nd!
Welcome New Advocates!

Nine new advocates completed our extensive advocate training and were sworn in on Friday, June 25th by Juvenile Court Judge Brian Jacobs.  This training marks our return to in-person volunteer advocate training.  It was wonderful to see each of you engage and participate in this comprehensive training process. Congratulations to (pictured left to right): Lisa, Ed, Eurydice, Jennifer, Cheryl, Mary, Jamie, Sunitha and Bernadette.  Thank you for stepping up and changing a child’s story.  

Wheaton Brew Fest is Back!

 
Join CASA of DuPage County at Memorial Park in Wheaton on Saturday, August 7, 2021 to volunteer for a wide variety of opportunities as attendees enjoy tasting unique brews from local and national breweries.  Thanks to the generosity of the Wheaton Park District, CASA of DuPage County is one of the beneficiaries of this hometown event.  

There are several volunteer jobs and time shifts available throughout the day.   Please click here for a list of opportunities with brief descriptions, and to sign up!  After you’ve registered online, please complete and sign this volunteer waiver and email to vicki@dupagecasa.org.
 
For more information on the Wheaton Brew Fest, please visit: https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/brewfest/

Thank you for volunteering your time!
Sign Up Now!

Empowering Youth

We are remarkably proud to share the news that a young man who has been involved with DuPage CASA for many years, was the recipient of an educational scholarship from Illinois CASA. 
 
This young man has overcome difficult circumstances and was separated from his siblings and parents at a young age.  Despite his many challenges, he has been able to focus on maintaining excellent grades, playing basketball on his high school team and working part-time.  He will be attending Illinois State University in the fall. 
 
The scholarship, along with an Empowerment Grant from DuPage CASA enabled him to purchase a computer for college in the fall.  His advocate has built a strong connection with him that has continued for many years.  He reflects on their time together, “Over the time I have known this boy, I have seen him mature into a responsible young man. He is determined to succeed in life.”
 
CASA of DuPage County's Empowerment Grant Program allows youth to apply for small grants to help with educational, employment, and other expenses to help maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.  

Advocates Who Inspire


CASA DuPage is pleased to introduce you to
 Brenda Lotesta
one of our extraordinary Advocates

Brenda has been working with a CASA family since July, 2020.  Before CASA was assigned, this family had 56 open DCFS investigations.  Since assignment, another DCFS investigation and an Adult Protective Services investigation were initiated.  Each family member has cognitive delays, yet none were receiving the resources they needed. 
The family moved from hotel to hotel throughout the summer.   

Brenda has worked tirelessly to connect this family to services that will help them manage their home, their disabilities and remain together as a family.  Brenda has helped obtain and coordinate services from two schools, Catholic Charities emergency housing, Department of Humans Services, Public Aid, Adult Protective Services, and Intact services.  With Brenda’s excellent communication and advocacy skills, she has connected with several agencies providing services for individual family members.       
 
Despite the many challenges this family faces, Brenda continues to empower the family to learn, and help themselves so they can remain together.  This family has extraordinary needs and Brenda is able to identify and locate resources for each of those needs.  She continually follows up and communicates with family members to help them navigate services without becoming overwhelmed. 

Thank you, Brenda, for being a CASA Volunteer Advocate who inspires us!

CASA of DuPage County


The mission of DuPage County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is to recruit, train and support volunteer citizen advocates to effectively speak to the best interests of abused, neglected, dependent and vulnerable children in the DuPage County court system.

CASA’s vision is that every child deserves a safe, permanent, nurturing home.

Visit us at www.dupagecasa.org to learn more!
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