I am for high quality advocacy for children.
In 1993, Mendocino County Judge Conrad Cox enlisted the help of a few local citizens to create a new program to look out for the best interests of the abused and neglected children of the community. By July of 1994, the Court Appointed Special Advocates was in operation, training and swearing in their first twelve advocates before the year was out. In 2010, we collaborated with our neighboring county to bring CASA to Lake County. Since that time, the volunteers of CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties have invested thousands of hours in hundreds of children in an effort to enhance their quality of care and their futures.
CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties is a privately operated 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. It is a member of the National CASA Association. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and administered daily by a small staff.
Chair – Norman de Vall ndevall@mcn.org
Vice Chair – Anita Toste aatos@comcast.net
Treasurer – Tom Jordan tjfirstfivelake@sbcglobal.net
Secretary –
Board Member – Anna Gregorian a_gregorian@yahoo.com
Board Member – Karen Jason jasonk@co.mendocino.ca.us
Board Member – April Simmons asimmons@pacific.net
Sheryn Hildebrand, Executive Director
shildebrand@mendocinocasa.org
Maureen Phillips, Public Relations/Fundraising Coordinator
mphillips@mendocinocasa.org
James R. Haggett, Case Manager/Volunteer Supervisor
jhaggett@mendocinocasa.org
Our Mission Statement:
CASA OF MENDOCINO & LAKE COUNTIES ADVOCATES FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
In support of this mission, CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties is committed to the following:
– Advocate for the best interests of children.
– Provide comprehensive training programs to educate volunteer advocates.
– Recruit volunteers to act as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s).
– Provide ongoing support to CASA staff and volunteers.
– Create and maintain public awareness and educate the community regarding child abuse and neglect
– Provide advocacy networking and liaison with public and private agencies and individuals.
– Act in liaison with, and at the direction of, the Juvenile Court Judge.
CASA relies on a variety of funding sources; however, it is donations made by private individuals and small local businesses that make the biggest difference. The Board and staff of CASA are committed to using its funds responsibly in order to gain the maximum benefit toward their mission. For the fiscal year 2012-2013, these sources include: the Administrative Office of the Courts; the County of Mendocino and the County of Lake; the National CASA Association; and the Eriksen Foundation.
Things turn out better when we all work together to make a difference. Whether you support the work of CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties by volunteering, or by making a one-time or on-going donation, when you partner with the CASA program, you are saying…