What Does A Cozy Night at Home Look Like For You?

By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator

Last year, when Passaic County CASA staff and Trustees began planning a virtual event centered around the concept of a cozy night at home, we realized that most of us were in agreement about a few essential elements: good food and drinks, the company of loved ones (and for many of us, our pets!), comfortable clothes, and the reassurance of a familiar environment. What if there was a way to plan an event that celebrates this, and at the same time benefits the hundreds of children in foster care in Passaic County who want nothing more than to have a permanent home of their own?

When we began discussing what this virtual event should include, there were also many things we didn’t agree on. Does a cozy night at home involve cooking or ordering take-out? Does a cozy night at home involve watching a good movie, reading books, or…. crossword puzzles? How about chess?

Here are some unique responses from the Passaic County CASA staff about what a cozy night at home involves for them!

We want to know what a cozy night in looks like for YOU. Let us know in the comments field below!

Even if all you can think about is the day you’ll be able to spend less time at home, we invite you to spend A Night In With CASA on Friday, March 5. This virtual event celebrates the best parts of this place we call home and the elements that bring joy. We know all to well how many children are not so lucky, and we never want to take something so precious for granted.

Scrappy "Out-of-the-Box" Thinkers

By Julia Ritsema
Administrative Assistant

My first year working at CASA was an eventful one, to say the least.  

I started on Feb. 5, 2020, which also happened to be the first night of the winter volunteer advocate training class.  Not only did I meet all of my colleagues for the time that day, but I met thirteen excited-to-get-started fellow trainees. Our last in-person training session was on March 11, 2020.  We were going to get together one last time on March 16 to celebrate completing the CASA training and prepare for being sworn in by the Judge as official Court Appointed Special Advocates.  As you might imagine, that didn’t happen. Friday, March 13 ended up being the last day Passaic County CASA’s office was open for several weeks. I had only been a CASA employee for six weeks at this point.  The virus spread so fast, and now we had to do the seemingly impossible task of doing our jobs while also navigating a pandemic. 

Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander and the leadership team sprang into action.  Most of the US and all of New Jersey may have been on lockdown, but child advocacy could not be locked down! We worked from home as a staff, connected by Zoom daily.  New ideas were hatched.  A Thank You Heroes CASA yard sign became the little sale that did.  Wayne Mayor Christopher Vergano displayed our yard sign in his daily COVID video updates, which helped us sell 1,000 signs, many of which are still proudly displayed on people’s lawns. 

Through networking and some creative thinking, Passaic County CASA was able to secure hand sanitizer, face masks, face shields, and other supplies so in-person child visits could continue. Grants for new programs were written and applied for. That’s how our Neighborhood Assistance Program was born.  Many Passaic County communities were (and frankly, still are) severely impacted by COVID; CASA was awarded a grant to provide diapers and formula to families in need. With a small but mighty group of volunteers that helped with deliveries, we have fulfilled over 350 requests for diapers, formula, and food kits throughout Passaic County.  Another grant was awarded for Safe Babies Court Team in Passaic, Essex, and Hudson Counties.  The innovative Safe Babies Court Team approach aligns strongly with DCF’s systems change vision to keep children in their homes with their families, increase family reunification, reduce repeat maltreatment, and integrate systems of care, with underlying focus on reducing racial disparity and the impact of trauma.  In every way, Passaic County CASA was growing.  This was exciting news!

Our first in-person, socially distant, outdoor staff meeting occurred at the end of June.  We had not been physically together in more than 80 days.  Nonetheless, so much had still happened, and so much had changed. How we operated in the past was no longer.  Erica said that day, “The scrappy out-of-the-box thinkers will survive.”  This phrase has stayed with me.

We learned that day that many other organizations had halted operations, and were turning down cases or services. On the other hand, Director of Outreach and Training Jessica Mickley was able to implement a virtual training that has worked well.  While we do long for the days of having training here in our office, we continue to recruit and train CASA volunteers to advocate for the children in Passaic County foster care.  We ran a successful school supply and holiday gift campaign.  Thanks to our very generous donors who either came in person to drop off their donations or had sent them through Amazon, every child received several gifts from their wish list. Our very first Thanksgiving Virtual 5-K raised $10,000 and people enjoyed doing it!

While things look very different than they did when I started working at CASA, no matter what the pandemic threw our way, the staff and volunteer advocates continually found a way to make things happen. I am confident they will continue to make things happen because “the scrappy out-of-the-box thinkers” will not only survive…THEY WILL THRIVE! 

Meet Reggie Rivers, The Host of A Night In With CASA!

By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator

Calling all Denver Broncos fans! For Passaic County CASA's first ever virtual fundraiser, we searched high and low, near and far, for a host who would make the virtual experience "come to life" for our participants at home. We found just the man for the job in Reggie Rivers, a former NFL running back for the Denver Broncos. After six seasons in the NFL, Reggie decided to pair his gregarious personality with his passion for supporting non-profit organizations and form his own business and training academy focused on galas and non-profit events. He's been helping non-profits ever since, and thinks there's no better job in the world.

“ We’re so excited to have Reggie hosting this event for Passaic County CASA. He brings the perfect combination of charisma and passion for our mission. This is going to be a lot of fun.”

— Erica Fischer-Kaslander, Executive Director, Passaic County CASA

Reggie knows personally the importance of home and family. He'll be joining us on March 5 from the Mile High City, where he lives with his wife and son. But Denver wasn't always home: in his early childhood he lived in a diverse list of places thanks to his family's employment in the Air Force. Ohio, England, Florida and Greece were some of the places his family was stationed before they decided to settle down permanently in the San Antonio area.

Additionally, Reggie and his wife understand the importance of Court Appointed Special Advocates, because they are adoptive parents. Their son didn't have a CASA, but he did have a guardian ad litem. Reggie recalls that he initially found the assignment of a guardian ad litem insulting and threatening -- the idea that they were being judged, and that this independent person might conclude that they were not the best place for Malik. But over time they began to understand the difference a guardian ad litem can make and the important role that person plays in the adoption process.

“Over time we also became fans and supporters of Court Appointed Special Advocates,” Reggie explains, “because we understood on a personal level just how alone a child is when he or she enters into the court system. No matter how many adults may be involved in the case NONE of them is exclusively focused on the interests of the child -- except for the CASA.”

Reggie will share more of his story on March 5, and he hopes the evening will inspire gratitude for home and family among attendees. After this past year of quarantine and lockdowns, many people may be taking these blessings for granted. At the same time, there are many children in our area who would give anything to be home. So, instead of wishing we could go back to the way life was before COVID, let’s all plan to have A Night In for their sake.

For additional information, please click HERE >>.

A CASA's Impact: Rich and Infinite

By Laura Warne
Communications Coordinator

Infinite had the brains. He also, from a very young age, had an enviable work ethic. What he lacked was support, guidance, and consistency. Or as Infinite summarizes what his CASA Rich has done for him: “[He] was always looking out, checking in. Making sure my head’s on straight.”

It was a long road, but this past May 2020, Infinite turned 21 and officially aged out of foster care after 8.5 years in the system. CASA volunteer Rich Rolek has been by his side, keeping Infinite’s “head on straight” and advocating for his needs in court for seven of those years.

The very beginning of his time in foster care, before even Rich entered the picture, was the hardest for Infinite. Everyone was a complete stranger, and all he could think about was how much he wanted to be at home, with his family.

“Seeing a lot of faces who aren't family and feeling empty, that's the hardest part,” Infinite said. Over time, Infinite got to know his caseworkers, attorneys, and Rich. “There’s a lot of bad stereotypes about the system, but these people did help,” Infinite said.

“When I was at a low point, (Rich) helped bring me back up,” Infinite shared.

The pair have a mutual respect for each other, with Infinite recognizing Rich’s impact, and Rich emphasizing Infinite’s intellect and drive. “Infinite is a strong and intelligent young man with a good heart and a commitment to making his life successful,” Rich said.

Today, Infinite works two jobs: as a farmer at a local nonprofit and also as a manager at a restaurant. He has a stable home, and has lived with his friend and the friend’s family for four years now.

Next up: college to become a music engineer.

Wherever life takes him, Infinite knows who will be right by his side, even though his official time with CASA and the foster care system has ended. “I’m not going anywhere,” Rich said. “I’ll help him out. He’ll be great at anything he does.”

Meet the CASA Staff: Ten Questions for Gina Cetta

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.