Sarah*, age six, was found locked inside a parked car on a busy street. After a short search, police found Sarah's father drinking at a bar two blocks away. He was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Sarah was placed in foster care and moved in with her cousins. Shortly after, a CASA named Viola was assigned to Sarah's case.
Sarah's cousins reported to Viola that Sarah seemed to be struggling to adjust to living with them. Sarah's teachers also expressed concern about Sarah's inability to pay attention in school or follow instructions. Viola pressed the school district to assess Sarah for learning disabilities. After an evaluation, the district found that Sarah’s hearing was significantly impaired.
In the meantime, Sarah's paternal grandparents began to express interest in having her live with them when their son was unable to address his substance use disorder in a timely fashion. They lived in a home without any other children, and could devote more time and energy to helping her. Viola met with them and saw their genuine concern for their granddaughter. At the next court hearing for Sarah’s case, Viola recommended to the Judge that Sarah move in with her grandparents. Two years later, Sarah is an energetic eight year old who is thriving with the love and support of her grandparents.
Are you interested in making a difference of your own in the life of a Passaic County child? Click here to learn more about volunteering or here to make a donation to support the work of CASA volunteers like Viola!
CASA Stories
Amplifying Their Voices: Volunteer Spotlight on Aileen Martinez Carper
By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator
If you attended September’s Voices for Children Gala, you may have noticed a woman in a plum gown juggling a myriad tasks, making sure the evening unfolded exactly as planned. From resolving tech issues to coordinating staff, she spent the evening ensuring everyone and everything was in sync.
That woman was Aileen Martinez Carper, one of Passaic County CASA’s Board Members. While our Volunteer Spotlights usually highlight the work of outstanding Court Appointed Special Advocates, today the honor goes to a different type of volunteer. Non-profit board members are a special breed of volunteer, who all too often perform their exceptional service without recognition, despite being among their organization’s greatest champions and most dedicated supporters. They bring their unique talents and expertise to an organization and help ensure it operates at peak performance day in and day out.
In Aileen’s case, it was a Google search, of all things, that led her to Passaic County CASA. Five years ago, after making a decision to transition from a successful career in journalism, she returned to school to study Strategic Communications. Her degree required the completion of a Strategic Communication Plan for a non-profit organization, and so this Wayne resident turned to Google to find some local options who might appreciate her assistance. As someone who has always loved children, the mission of Passaic County CASA particularly spoke to Aileen. She’s remained involved ever since, even after assuming a full-time role in executive communications at ADP, the Roseland-based HR technology company.
Special events, like the Voices for Children Gala, are Aileen’s forte. However, Aileen will be the first to tell you that it’s the everyday work being done at Passaic County CASA that excites her the most. Aileen enjoys helping people tell their stories, and at Passaic County CASA, that means telling the stories of the advocates who are on the frontlines of child welfare. Galas are just one platform for sharing CASA’s impact; Aileen ensures that CASA shares all impact stories, big and small.
For her part, she says that being on CASA’s Board of Trustees makes her feel hopeful that we live in a world where people still care deeply about one another. “[CASAs] are giving their time and heart and that pushes my soul,” she explains. In addition to the many advocates she’s been able to get to know, she says that she also takes great inspiration from Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander and the rest of the Passaic County CASA staff. “The dedication they show is beyond measure. The extra time far beyond 9-5, regularly working evenings and weekends—it makes me feel hopeful that we really are changing children’s’ lives. It makes me feel like I can’t do enough to help this organization and its mission.”
Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Davetta Ford
Name: Davetta Ford
Title: Advocacy Supervisor
CASA Employee Since: January 2018
1) What did you do before you worked at CASA?
I was working two jobs, one as a waitress at the Grand Lux Cafe in Paramus and the other as a Customer Service Representative at Bed Bath & Beyond. Skills from both of those jobs were definitely transferrable to my job at CASA because both required effective communication and people skills.
2) Describe your job in five words.
Fun, Inspiring, Challenging, Heartbreaking (at times) and Steady.
3) Can you describe what a typical day looks like for you?
Depending on whether I’m in court, my day can look very different. But in general it includes responding to emails, talking to volunteers, writing and editing court reports, making phone calls, and counseling colleagues.
4) What is the best part about working for CASA?
I love working with teenagers, especially teens in the process of aging out of the foster care system. I love helping them find resources and scholarships like those that I was able to take advantage of, as well as those that I wish I’d known about! Particularly teens facing that critical transition from high school to whatever comes next. Basically doing for others what I wish I had been done for me when I was in that position.
5) What is the craziest/most unusual thing you’ve done in the name of serving children in foster care?
I was with one teenager at her court hearing, and she was feeling self-conscious about her hair. It had been pretty neglected, so I went with her into the bathroom and re-braided it for her. Her confidence and demeanor instantly changed.
6) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a teacher because I had a wonderful second grade teacher. She was really there for me during my mom’s addiction. She fed me, and would knock on my window in the morning to make sure I woke up in time for school. She was awesome and I loved her.
7) What is your go-to comfort food?
Baked macaroni and cheese, the kind I make myself.
8) What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?
I can be overly friendly, which can sometimes backfire.
9) What celebrity have people said you resemble or remind them of?
My coworker Sarah’s daughter said I remind her of Beyoncé.
10) If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you bring?
A mirror, my makeup, and a picture of my daughter.
Thankful for home
Thanks to your support
We are Thankful for Stable, Loving Families of Every Shape and Size.
At the beginning of this month, I had the unexpected opportunity to spend a day with a former CASA child, T, and his mother. This family has been permanently together since the case closed 8 years ago. We do not always get a window into a child's life long after an adoption is finalized or they return home and the court closes a case. It was a special treat to see the love this mother holds for her son and how much he loves her back. Despite being an older teenager now, this young man is clearly Mom's buddy.
The benefit of serving in my role here at CASA for over almost 13 years is that I have gotten to know the history of these children and families over a long time period. I remember when T entered foster care as a little boy about 6 years old and barely talked. To see him now taller than me and talking about working as a summer camp counselor was overwhelming. He has grown so much and really thrived in the years since his adoption.
At the end of this day, I reflected on T's story and couldn't help but think about how striking it is that the most important things for a child are stability, structure, and love.
Every family looks different but these things are the same. T doesn't physically resemble his Mom, or carry her genes, but that doesn't minimize the love in their relationship. I was honored to know that CASA had a part of ensuring this young man had found the stability and structure he needed. Looking back, there was no way to predict the end of the story when he entered foster care. I never would have imagined how well T is doing today.
For T and his mom, I can tell you that they will have a wonderful Thanksgiving in their home once again this year.
Whether you are a CASA donor, volunteer, ambassador, board member, or supporter, you helped make a lifelong difference for T as well as the 270 children who have had a volunteer advocate to call on for help this year. Your generosity is truly the heart of all we do.
Your support makes it possible for children like T to find the stability, structure, and love they need to be successful in life.
From all of us here at Passaic County CASA for Children, thanks again for all you do.
Wishing you, and your loved ones near and far, a very Happy Thanksgiving,
Erica Fischer-Kaslander
Executive Director
Who are CASA Ambassadors?
By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator
It truly does take a village to make a non-profit organization run smoothly. At Passaic County CASA, there are three types of volunteers who are essential to the success of our mission, each with a special role to play.
First, the 115+ Court Appointed Special Advocates, who serve as direct, hands-on advocates for children in foster care. They are on the front lines of advocating for children in foster homes across Passaic County.
Then there are CASA’s 10 board members, who help the organization operate at maximum effectiveness and plan for short and long term strategic growth. They regularly attend planning meetings, spearhead fundraising, and essentially help “steer the ship.”
But there is also a third group of volunteer, who help fill the gaps between the duties of staff, board, and advocates. These volunteers are known as Ambassadors.
The role of an Ambassador is to assist as-needed with the operations of Passaic County CASA. What this looks like in execution depends a great deal on the skill set and interests of the individuals in question. Ambassadors are basically the people we call on for assistance as needs come up, and the people who work remotely on our behalf within their communities. At an organization where no two days are often alike, that can mean a wide variety of tasks!
For example, in the past year, Ambassadors have performed the following duties:
- Stuffing envelopes and preparing mailings
- Staffing tabling events in the community
- Staffing special events like the Passaic County Fair, CASA’s Tricky Tray Fundraiser, and School Supply Pop-Up Shop
- Wrapping holiday wish drive gifts
- Organizing school supplies and other donations
- Sharing social media content
- Soliciting donations for CASA’s Tricky Tray and Gala
- Serve as a liaison between houses of worship, schools, community organizations, and other non-profits, coordinating fundraisers and securing donations
Many Ambassadors assume this role after they learn about Passaic County CASA and decide they want to get involved, but may not have the necessary time or flexibility in their schedule to serve as Advocates. They may be retired and spend extended periods of time in another state, but want to help when their schedules allow. They may be active in their communities and see being a CASA Ambassador as an easy way to make connections between people who are all trying to make the world a better place. Or they may just be interested in volunteering digitally, helping us expand the reach of social media content and posting links for their family and friends.
Whatever the reason that someone decided to become an Ambassador, we are grateful for their support. It is a relief for staff members to know that there is a pool of eager individuals waiting in the wings who will come to help when it is needed.
In order to become an Ambassador, interested individuals must attend a two-hour training class where they will learn more about Passaic County CASA and meet some of the staff. They must be at least 18 years old and complete a basic background check.
If this opportunity sounds like something you or someone you know might be interested in, please visit here to see when our next Ambassador Training Class will be held.