CASA Stories

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Gina Cetta

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Name: Gina Cetta
Title: Program Director
CASA Employee Since: February 2009

 

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I was an assistant district attorney in Pennsylvania.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Supervising, Editing, Resolving Problems, Laughing!

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

No day is ever the same for me! Lots of court report editing, meetings, interacting with Advocacy Supervisors and CASAs, court hearings, planning for Tricky Tray...I could go on and on.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

I've worked for CASA for almost 12 years, so I could name quite a few "bests." If I had to pick just one, it would be hearing the CASAs share positive things that happened to the children that they advocate for.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

It was prior to a SuperHero run several years ago. I chased several dozen geese off of a field at Garrett Mountain at 6:30 in the morning.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Being argumentative.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

I've been told that I resemble a young Marisa Tomei.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

Sunscreen, bug spray, fishing net.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Julie Ritsema

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Name: Julie Ritsema
Title: Administrative Assistant
CASA Employee Since: February 2020

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I worked in adoption and family services.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Different each and every day!

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Phones, greeting outside the many volunteers and donors that come to the office to drop off their generous donations for whatever we need at the time, assisting the supervisors, organizing the many donations, and general office administration.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Knowing that everything you do is for the kids!

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

In the early days of the pandemic, a child in foster care asked us for a table. "Something small and not too big" that would fit the small space set aside for his remote learning workstation. Our Executive Director Erica talked to our friends at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (which was closed during covid lockdown), and a table was found for him. On a sunny Saturday in April, I put the table in the back of my truck, and took it to the boy's house. The boy was waiting outside for me, and as soon as I opened the back of my truck he gave me the biggest smile!! He took his table off the truck and yelled “Thank you lady!” as he went off, carrying it up three flights of stairs to his apartment. Sometimes, it really is the little things!

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A nurse.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Anything SWEET. I never met a dessert I didn't like.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I have a hard time saying NO!

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

I've never been told I resembled a celebrity...lol. I will say that my celebrity "crush" is Bradley Cooper. Love me a little Bradley!

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

A good book, sunscreen, and a pair of shades!

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Keisha Maldonado

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Name: Keisha Maldonado
Title: Bilingual Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: September 2017

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I was attending college and interning at CASA before joining staff in 2018. Before that, I was a NYC nanny for a year, and then an Infant/Toddler Teacher at a daycare.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Advocating for children in Spanish.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Oh boy...it's different every day. My days usually involve a lot of phone calls, speaking with volunteers, attending Court hearings, and writing and editing court reports.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Working with children and families. The staff is pretty great, too!

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

About a year ago, Pam and I were picking up boxes at our offsite storage unit, aka "the Dungeon." While climbing over boxes, I stumbled upon a rat-shaped blob...It was too dark for me to identify what it was. Once Pam confirmed that it was indeed a dead rat, we ran out screaming! I'm pretty sure we cried a little bit.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to work in a lab and develop cosmetics and lotions. Then, when I was in high school, I wanted to be a geneticist. Somehow I ended up working with children and families!

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

My mama's cooking. I never say no to ceviche, guatita, llapingachos (with the peanut sauce, chorizo, pickled onions, and avocado slices of course), or a bowl of fanesca!

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I don’t know how to say “NO”!

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

I was once told I looked like Princess Jasmine because of my eyebrows. Does that count?

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

A hammock, sunscreen, and a blanket.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Courtney Como

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Name: Courtney Como
Title: Donor and Community Relations Director
CASA Employee Since: September 2019

 

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

For the last 10 years, I worked in Career Services at Columbia University.  Primarily, my job was to build and maintain relationships with potential employers of undergrad and graduate students.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Raising funding for continued success

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

In the last year and during COVID, there haven’t been many typical days. Overall, the best days are when I can connect with donors/supporters of PC CASA to share a success story, say thank you or discuss their continued involvement. People have such inspirational stories for why they are involved with CASA.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

I have the privilege of also working as an advocate.  

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

I attended a staff meeting in a parking lot sitting in the rain, in a lawn chair.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An elementary school teacher or an Olympic gymnast.

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

Eggplant parmesan and a big bowl of pasta.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

I tend to lose my temper very quickly and often say things I later regret.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Jessica Chastain…it’s the hair.

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

Sneakers, hair ties, and a family picture album.

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Jessica Mickley

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Name: Jessica Mickley
Title: Director of Outreach and Training
CASA Employee Since: August 2017

 

1)       What did you do before you worked at CASA?

I worked in newspapers as a writer and editor for a number of years before becoming an advocate at a domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit.

  2)       Describe your job in five words.

Schmoozing and training plus writing.

 3)       Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?

Typical day at CASA. That’s a funny joke! Every day is so different. But really, that’s one of the things I like most about working at CASA. Pre-pandemic, many days could include attending a community event, facilitating a training class, or presenting on a topic like trauma or mandatory reporting. I also spend a good amount of time creating and editing content for our social media, newsletters, website, and blogs, as well as writing press releases.

4)       What is the best part about working for CASA?

Working alongside a group of people who want to effect change as much as I do.

5)       What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?

Besides my annual gig as a carnival worker at the Passaic County Fair… Probably when I drove to the Bronx to record a PSA about Passaic County CASA at Fordham’s radio station, WFUV.

6)       When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A journalist!

7)       What is your go-to comfort food?

A big bowl of soup, preferably matzo ball or pho.

8)       What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?

Probably my propensity to occasionally speak before I think.

9)       What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?

Amy Poehler

10)   If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?

A growler of cold brew coffee, the longest book ever written, and sunscreen.