A farewell to two dedicated board members

For the past 9 and 10 years respectively, Peter Lefkowitz and Jonathan Aber have brought their talent and leadership skills to the Passaic County CASA Board of Trustees. Unfortunately, at the end of June, we must say farewell to them as board members, but certainly not as dedicated supporters and dear friends. 

Peter Lefkowitz, left, and Jonathan Aber, fourth from the right, at a donor appreciation event in 2019.

At Passaic County CASA, the characteristic that we value the most in our volunteers of all types is consistency. Peter and Jon have proven time and time again that they also prioritize consistency, by regularly attending and actively participating in events as diverse as board meetings, donor fellowship events, the county fair and the gala. Through their reliable support, Passaic County CASA has grown in leaps and bounds. 

In addition to his consistency,  Passaic County CASA has truly benefited from Peter’s time management and organization skills. Peter has always kept Board meetings running smoothly and on time. He’s been our resident expert on Robert’s Rules of Order and provides guidance on existing and new bylaws. Every year, Peter (who is a true canine lover) donates a dog-themed basket to the Tricky Tray, which is always quite a hit. 

A poll from the Passaic County CASA staff revealed Peter’s two qualities that will be missed the most: his sense of humor and engaging personality. “Peter brings levity when it’s much needed,” one staff member said. “He always made an effort to get to know everyone,” another added.

It was Jon’s big heart that led him to CASA. Jon and the DFM Foundation (an organization created to honor a dear friend of his who passed away) developed CASA’s first birthday gift program, which was called “The DFM Annual Birthday Fund.” Jon joined the Passaic County CASA Board of Trustees a year later and quickly became a pivotal fundraiser for the organization. Every holiday season, Jon and his family contribute to the Holiday Wish Drive, ensuring that children who are in foster care during the holidays have beautiful gifts to unwrap. Jon has served as the Voices for Children gala chairperson, where his leadership and support were key to the event’s success. 

“He’s approachable and so enthusiastic,” one CASA staff member said. “Such a dedicated supporter of CASA”. 

Though both Peter and Jon will be greatly missed, and we cannot thank them enough, we feel comforted in knowing that their contributions to Passaic County CASA and the legacy they’ve helped to create will live on for a long time to come.

Meet the CASA Board: Seven Questions for Lindsay R. Janel

Name: Lindsay R. Janel

1)       How long have you been connected with Passaic County CASA and what attracted you to the organization?

I have been involved with Passaic County CASA since the spring of 2013, when I was asked to be a Board Member. What immediately struck me about CASA was the direct impact each CASA had on the children served – I knew I wanted to be part of an organization with such a hands on, grassroots mentality. 

  2)       Being on a non-profit board of directors requires time and hard work.  What keeps you motivated to participate?

The fact that we are constantly meeting and exceeding our goals to serve every child in Passaic County who needs a CASA. 

 3)      When you are not working with CASA, how do you spend your time?

I have my own law practice that demands quite a bit of my time! Other than that, I enjoy doing things with my own young child and husband. We especially love going to the shore, looking for “critters” in the ocean, collecting seashells and going to the Boardwalk (when it’s not a pandemic!). 

4)       What is your most special memory from your time working with CASA? 

I don’t have a specific or special memory because each story of a child successfully getting out of the foster care system, or successfully “aging out” of the system because of the work and dedication of a CASA is special to me. To know that a child’s life and future has been indelibly changed in a positive way from the work done at Passaic County CASA is special in its own right. 

5)       If money were no object, how would you spend the rest of your life?

I would likely still work, but would focus my energy more into public service, like Legal Aid. I worked at Legal Services of Atlantic County when I first graduated law school and I was able to see, very much in the same way I see with CASA, how rewarding it is to help those in need in a direct, hands on way. 

6)       If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

CANDY, COOKIES, CAKES, CANDY, COOKIES, CAKES, on repeat 

7)       What is your all-time favorite movie?

I don’t have a favorite movie but I have a favorite Book – The Razors Edge by Somerset Maugham.

Meet the CASA Board: Seven Questions for Ann Sundius-Rose

Name: Ann Sundius-Rose
Title: Vice President of Membership, CEO Connection

1)       How long have you been connected with Passaic County CASA and what attracted you to the organization?

I began as a CASA volunteer ten years ago in 2010. Then I moved onto the Board in April of 2018.  I have always had an affinity for children at risk. I come from a family of eleven and feel so lucky to have been raised in an amazing home. I could never imagine not having that stability. It is important for me to impart that on those who need it.

  2)       Being on a non-profit board of directors requires time and hard work.  What keeps you motivated to participate?

Every time our CASA Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander tells us a story of a child in need or perhaps a child we helped, putting a face to the names and statistics, it makes any amount of time well worth it. I remember at our Annual Gala, we were all dressed up, celebrating the successes and raising money to keep them coming, when Erica told a story of a little girl named “Mia” who had just come into the system. That night she still needed a CASA. It takes work, but it certainly is not a chore to help any of the “Mia’s” out there.

 3)      When you are not working with CASA, how do you spend your time?

I work with an organization that helps mid-market CEOs – sort of like CASA – advocating for them - with connections and resources to more successfully run their businesses. I also love to travel anywhere and everywhere and, of course, spending time with my three girls.

4)       What is your most special memory from your time working with CASA? 

Most definitely, attending the adoption of my first CASA child. I was so fortunate to have met this amazing 12-year old boy who through the resources and advocacy of CASA found a home with a loving, fun, stable family.  When I met him, he was non-verbal, scared, anxious and sad. On his adoption day, he smiled so big, he made everyone instantly happy.  He and his family were honored at our Inaugural CASA Gala. He stole the show, grabbing the microphone from me during his introduction, telling jokes, making new friends, and dancing the night away. He was the DJ’s favorite guest for certain.

5)       If money were no object, how would you spend the rest of your life?

Travelling as much as possible. And giving that money away to organizations helping children especially, but also to innovation that solves social issues for our environment and our humanity.  And I wouldn’t mind an apartment near each of my children, as they are always on the move.

6)       If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Now who would make up that rule! I love to eat – almost anything! But if I HAD to choose, my mom’s lasagna.

7)       What is your all-time favorite movie?

Again – I am not good at choosing just one! But perhaps I would go with Annie – any version. Go figure – a story of a little girl who finds a home.

Meet the CASA Board: Seven Questions for Jonathan Aber

Name: Jonathan E. Aber
Title: Senior Risk & Marketing Executive,
Scirocco Group, Inc. 

1)       How long have you been connected with Passaic County CASA and what attracted you to the organization?

I’m not exactly sure, but I’m guessing nine or ten years. How I got involved is a long story. A group of my friends established The DFM Foundation in honor of a dear friend who passed away in 2002. He was a beloved fixture in Wayne Township who spent much of his time donating, coaching and supporting various youth activities. The foundation we established in his honor was to benefit children’s needs, whether they were educational, safety, sports, medical, etc. The foundation was always looking for new causes to support, so when I read an interview with Erica [Fischer-Kaslander] in the local Wayne Today newspaper about Passaic County CASA, I called her to learn more about it. After a lengthy conversation, The DFM Foundation and Erica developed the DFM Annual Birthday Fund to purchase birthday presents for kids in foster care. A year or so later, Erica asked me to join their Board of Directors.

  2)       Being on a non-profit board of directors requires time and hard work.  What keeps you motivated to participate?

The kids. It’s all about the kids and keeping them safe, healthy, and happy.

 3)      When you are not working with CASA, how do you spend your time?

Working hard at building my insurance business, so I can enjoy more time on the golf course with my family and friends.

4)       What is your most special memory from your time working with CASA? 

There are a couple of particularly memorable moments I’ve experienced while working with CASA. The first was when I was on the Board of The DFM Foundation, and we would receive an annual list of the children who had been served by the DFM Birthday Fund. The report would include each child’s first name, age, short description of the child's story in foster care, and what each child had asked for. After reading a few of the kid’s stories aloud, all nine Board members were bawling our eyes out knowing what a great cause we were supporting.

The other memorable experiences were the two CASA galas for which I was the Chairperson. They were very successful events from both an attendance and donation standpoint, and that made me feel even prouder to be part of this organization. If not for the pandemic causing us to cancel, I’m positive this year’s Gala would’ve been even more successful!

5)       If money were no object, how would you spend the rest of your life?

I would continue to work, as I was raised with a strong work ethic. By work, I mean not just at a job, but also to raise and donate personal moneys to many non-profit organizations such as CASA, animal rescues, MS Society, and others.

6)       If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Probably pizza, because every time I say I’m having only one slice, I eat 3!

7)       What is your all-time favorite movie?

I’m not one to watch a movie more than once except for Animal House, Caddy Shack, Young Frankenstein, and Remember the Titans. Whenever I come across them while channel surfing, those are the movies that make me stop and watch.

Passaic County CASA Board of Trustees Welcomes Nancy Barbary, Willowbrook Mall Senior General Manager

By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator

Every day at the Willowbrook Mall is an adventure for Senior General Manager Nancy Barbary, but especially during a pandemic. Nancy  has been in the shopping center industry for over 40 years.  She’s enjoyed every experience and feels very fortunate to have worked in an industry for 40 years and still say that she loves to come to work every day. “It’s a unique industry. Every day is different and a new challenge.” Nonetheless, Nancy knew the time was right to take the next step in supporting children in foster care by joining Passaic County CASA’s Board of Trustees.      

Giving back has always been an essential part of both Nancy’s personal life and professional life. Despite working long hours throughout her career, she still made time to help with her church’s sponsored annual prom event, A Night to Shine, for children with developmental disabilities.   In fact, she looks forward to the event every year. “I head up the Decorating Committee,” she explained. “I always wanted to do more. My heart goes out to kids. That’s the cause I feel strongly about.”

Nancy learned about Passaic County CASA eleven years ago, following  the tragic death of a Willowbrook Mall employee’s daughter. The mall started partnering with a foundation formed in the child’s memory, the Jessica Gelok Foundation. They collaborated with the Foundation on an annual golf outing, and then a holiday giving tree each December in the center of the mall.  Nancy became acquainted with Passaic County CASA because the organization was one of the Foundation’s regular beneficiaries.           

After a visit to the CASA office, Barbary started to learn more about children in foster care and CASA’s impact. “The work CASA does is fabulous. I met (Advocacy Supervisor) Davetta Ford and was so impressed. I listened to the stories about the children. How could anyone not be touched?”

Passaic County CASA's Director of Development, Courtney Como, recalls meeting Nancy and seeing her in action: "It didn’t take long to understand the strength of her leadership.  As we walked through the mall together and she greeted each store clerk by name, she shared her vision for how and where to incorporate CASA’s mission in various ways throughout the mall.  I immediately understood her commitment and dedication to CASA and how fortunate we are to have her on our team.”

As a Board Member, Barbary is excited to continue and grow the partnership between Passaic County CASA and Willowbrook Mall. A few weeks ago, she began organizing a food donation drive for CASA at the mall, and hopes to organize additional events in the future.  “I just want to do more,” she explained. “I open my refrigerator and it is full and your heart breaks because you know there are people who don’t have that.”