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We’re back with our second 25th-anniversary newsletter celebrating the relationship between Kappa Alpha Theta and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). So many of you have reached out to share CASA stories, photos, and accomplishments and how being a Theta led you to help support foster children in so many different ways. We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter and continue to share your stories via email, by tagging Kappa Alpha Theta’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or by using our anniversary hashtag #Theta25CASA. You may recall from our first newsletter that we identified three ways you can help celebrate the anniversary: support, advocate, and volunteer. Read on to find out how Thetas have supported, advocated, and volunteered for CASA through the years.
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| Once Torn Apart, CASA Reunites Five Siblings
A few years ago, Shaniquah Nelson would never have dreamed that her five children would be living under the same roof again, getting ready to celebrate the holidays together—and that she would get to celebrate with them all, too. But today, they are reunited—thanks to a tenacious CASA volunteer, a relentless CASA supervisor, and a caring foster mom who’s adopting all five kids. On top of that, this amazing foster mom is also welcoming the children’s birth mother to play an active role in their lives.
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| In Memoriam of Joyce Honeyman, a CASA AdvocateIt is with great sadness that we report a Theta and CASA champion, Joyce Honeyman, Beta Zeta/Oklahoma State and Seattle Alumnae Chapter member, passed away. Joyce served as a trustee for Theta Foundation from 1992–98 and as Theta’s CASA liaison from 1998–2005. In addition to her Theta roles, Joyce served on the National CASA Board of Trustees from 1992–2006. Joyce worked tirelessly to build the close relationship between Theta and CASA that exists today. We are so grateful for all of her work to advance this philanthropic relationship.
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| Supporting CASA, Encouraged by ThetaOlivia Lewis, Epsilon Lambda/Dickinson and Baltimore Alumnae Chapter member, was not always a runner, but she wanted to support CASA. She first decided two years ago to run for CASA. With support and encouragement from Theta, Olivia signed up for a half-marathon as a member of Team CASA. Together, Olivia and her running team raised more than $36,000!
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| Volunteering for CASA
Mattie Loder, Delta Eta/Kansas State, had never heard of CASA until she participated in recruitment her freshman year. On service and philanthropy day during recruitment, she knew she wanted to learn more about the organization, whether she joined Theta or not. When it came time to start applying for nonprofit internships, Sunflower CASA Project, Inc. (the local CASA program in Manhattan, Kan.) immediately came to mind. Mattie spent an entire semester working closely with Sunflower CASA as an intern.
To read more about Mattie’s work with CASA, visit the Theta website.
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| Suggested Read: There's No Place Like a Dorm Room for the HolidaysAs we conclude final exam week for many college students, we assume that all of those students are packing up to head home for the holidays. However, there are some students who don’t have a place to go home to for the winter break. To read more about how one campus is supporting those students, many of whom are former foster youth, visit the NPR blogs.
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