April 2023

Hello Friends,

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and an opportunity to create awareness and help strengthen the families in our community.  For CASA DuPage and over 900 CASA organizations around the country, child abuse prevention is front of mind.

The statistics are astounding.  There are 3.6 million cases of child abuse reported every year in the U.S., according to Child Protect Children's Advocacy Center and for every incident of child abuse or neglect  reported, an estimated two incidents go unreported.  Child abuse occurs across all socioeconomic levels, as well as ethnic and cultural lines. 

Establishing economic support, positive parenting education and quality child care are sited by the CDC as the most effective child abuse prevention strategies.  Please see below for 7 habits to create a healthy, stable home environment.  

We have all heard, "If you see something, say something."  This applies to child abuse as well.  The DCFS Hotline to report possible child abuse is 800.25.ABUSE (22873).

Whether you are a CASA Advocate, volunteering at one of our events, or have made a donation to DuPage CASA, you are helping to keep children safe and supporting our vision that every child deserves a safe, permanent, nurturing home. 

On behalf of the vulnerable children we serve in DuPage county, thank you for doing your part to prevent child abuse. 

Gratefully,

Suzanne Skala
Executive Director

CASA of DuPage is recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month by tying blue ribbons and posting signage at the entrance of the DuPage County Courthouse.  In our effort to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect in our community, we were joined by judges who depend on Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to be their eyes and ears in the courtroom.  

We are genuinely grateful for the support of Chief Judge Kenneth Popejoy, along with our Juvenile Court Judges Demetrios Panoushis and Chantelle Porter, Probate Court Judge James Orel, and Judge Ann Celine Walsh, Presiding Judge of Specialty and Juvenile Courts Division.  

Thank you for taking the time to recognize the importance of what we do for children every day!

There are just a few foursomes left to join us on Wednesday, May 17th for the CASA Golf Classic at the beautiful Cantigny Golf course in Wheaton!

It will be a memorable day with golf, hole in one contests, golf ball launcher, cigar rolling, on course samples, amazing raffle and live auction packages, along with food and drinks included all day!  This is all while celebrating and raising funds for CASA's rich 30-year history of providing advocacy for children.  

There are several opportunities available to participate.  Sponsorships start at $1,500 with logo recognition on signage throughout the day and leading up to the event on social media and the event website.  You can also advertise your business with a hole sign, 1 for $300 or 2 for $500.  Or join us for golf for $1,000 per foursome ($250/golfer) or dinner and evening program only for $60.  Click on the link below to register now and we hope to see you there!

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Vicki Shaw at vicki@dupagecasa.org.

These generous companies have sponsored the Golf Classic and/or Pearl Gala in celebration of CASA of DuPage County's 30th Anniversary Year 2023!  For more information on how to participate, please contact Vicki Shaw at vicki@dupagecasa.org.

Jamie Matalka recently joined the DuPage CASA staff as an Advocate Supervisor, working exclusively with children involved in guardianship cases.  Her experience as a volunteer advocate as well as her legal background combines to create ideal qualifications for this role.  

Through her experience as a volunteer advocate, Jamie shared this important perspective, "I didn't realize how much I took for granted living in a safe and stable home, surrounded by loving family members."  Jamie continued, "Sometimes you do not realize all the wonderful gifts you have been given, and there are always those around us who are silently suffering." 

As a volunteer member of the CASA Gala planning committee, Jamie's design vision contributed to the welcoming, elegant décor at the Nothing is Impossible, Mad Hatter Gala, as well as the Masquerade Gala last October.  

We are thrilled Jamie has joined the staff at CASA DuPage!  

We are thrilled to share the launch of our new website providing real-time information on current events and happenings at CASA of DuPage!  Click the link below to take a look, and be sure to check back often, as we continue working on improvements and updates!    

As part of the new website launch, we are also pleased to share our #noteverychild social media campaign to promote prevention of child abuse in DuPage County communities. Please like and share our posts to help spread the word!  Links to our social media pages are below.  

On March 24, 2023, Judge Anthony Coco swore in sixteen new volunteer advocates to the CASA of DuPage County program. 

After a comprehensive application process, these dedicated individuals completed 30 hours of training including observation in juvenile court, to prepare them for their responsibilities as a CASA Volunteer Advocate.  They will now begin advocating for children who have been removed from their unsafe homes because of abuse or neglect.

We are proud of what you have accomplished and thank you for making a difference in the lives of children in our community.  

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

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

Visit our website at dupagecasa.org to learn more!