Hi *{{Informal Name}}*,

During the months of March and April, Heart of Missouri CASA volunteers made 488 contacts with the children we serve! While they weren't able to visit in-person, CASA volunteers made extraordinary efforts to stay in contact with the children and youth who need us.

While we slowly begin to conduct 'social distance' visits with the children outside of their homes, we're exceptionally grateful for our dedicated advocates who have continued to excellently and creatively execute their role of giving a voice to our community's most vulnerable children during the last few months. We know it means the world to the children when they say things like, "I know you'll always be there for me" to their CASA.

Best,

Kelly Hill

Executive Director

Susie is a CASA volunteer who advocates for three children in foster care. She has been writing them handwritten letters and includes stationary with stamped and addressed envelopes so that the kids can write her back with ease. One of the children wrote back right away and Susie is hopeful she can continue this fun pen pal exchange while she is unable to physically visit the kids.

COVID-19 did not stop us from training new volunteer advocates. We had very successful Zoom training sessions throughout April and May and are excited to welcome 16 new advocates! The Callaway advocates were sworn-in virtually on May 15th and the Boone advocates were sworn in virtually on May 22nd. We are very excited to have them officially on the Heart of Missouri CASA team!

Donor Spotlight

We'd like to thank the Mizzou Thetas for raising nearly $10,000 this year for Heart of Missouri CASA through their fundraising activities! This is the highest amount they have ever raised in a year, and we are exceptionally thankful considering the uncertainty we face due to the pandemic. We are always extremely grateful to have the wonderful ladies of Theta partner with us to help us give a voice to children in foster care.

Board of Directors Leadership Transition

We are exceptionally grateful for a passionate and engaged Board of Directors here at Heart of Missouri CASA. Without these individuals and their leadership, guidance, and trust, HOM CASA would not have grown so drastically in the last few years.

We'd like to recognize Jorgen Schlemeier for fulfilling 3 full terms (6 years) on our Board of Directors this month. For the last 3 1/2 years of his service, Jorgen served as the Chair of the Board. Jorgen's positive, calm, and encouraging leadership led the way for HOM CASA to double the number of staff on our team, triple the number of active CASA volunteers, and increase the percentage of children served each day to 50%!

Thank you, Jorgen, for your dedication to CASA!

We're thrilled to announce that Emily Little has taken over the reigns as Chair of the Board. Emily has served on the Heart of Missouri CASA board since 2015 and been a steady, guiding force in this time. Emily is employed as General Counsel with the University of Missouri and is actively involved in the Columbia community.

We are grateful for the other board members filling leadership roles. Sharon Horbyk now serves as Vice Chair, Jason Sickmeier as Secretary, and Elizabeth Blake continues to serve as Treasurer.

We'd like to thank each of these dedicated individuals for volunteering their time and skills to advance the mission of Heart of Missouri CASA.

Join us for our Summer new volunteer training! The in-person classes will happen live virtually over Zoom.

In-Person Sessions:

July 14th // 5:30-6:30pm

July 21st // 5:30-8:30pm

July 28th // 5:30-8:30pm

August 4th // 5:30-8:30pm

August 11th // 5:30-8:30pm

August 18th // 5:30-8:30pm

*15 hours online work takes place in between classes.

There are hundreds of children in foster care locally that still need an advocate. Will you join us and be a voice for one or more of these children?

Apply Today!

We are so close to reaching our goal of 25 Circle of Hope members! We would love to have you join to help provide a consistent voice for a child in foster care. A recurring monthly gift of $25 a month is all that is required to be a Circle of Hope member. Why $25? Because $25 provides one hour of advocacy for a child. You can also qualify as a member if you opt to donate $300 a year or $75 a quarter. We can set up a special recurring schedule just for you!

Join Circle of Hope today!

Help Us Advocate for 350 Children This Year

A few ways to do this:

Become a CASA!
Shop through Smile.Amazon.Com when you shop on Amazon and a percentage of your purchase will be donated back to us.
Join the Circle of Hope and provide the financial consistency we need to continue growing.
Spread the word! Tell your friends and family about CASA, invite us to speak to your groups and churches, and help us share the need/message of CASA.