The Bikers are Coming! The Bikers are Coming!

Park-2-Park

On Tuesday, September 8, nearly 40 Park-2-Park bikers will roll into Great Falls where the local CASA-CAN volunteers and sponsors will nourish them for their journey ahead. The bikers will unwind to the sounds of bluegrass music, eat dinner prepared by local volunteers, and plan for the next day – the hardest part of the trip – over Kings Hill.  The trek begins at St. Mary's, east of Glacier National Park, and finishes at the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park - a 380 mile scenic route! The money raised helps fund CASA of Montana; its mission is to support and promote CASA programs across the state that do directly serve abused or neglected children. In addition a portion of the net proceeds is disbursed to local CASA programs through a grant process. In 2008 CASA-CAN was granted $2,000 from the Park-2-Park monies to assist Cascade County volunteer advocates speak out for "their" children.

In addition to raising funds, the bike ride serves as an acknowledgement of the hundreds of children in Great Falls and Montana who need a voice to advocate for them.

Update on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 10:57AM by CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network

The bikers were here! CASA-CAN volunteers, as well as volunteers of Christ United Methodist Church, fed them dinner, entertained them with bluegrass music, fed them breakfast, and saw them on their way. The riders arrived at the arches in Gardiner MT at 2 p.m. today, celebrating their trek across Montana, celebrating their contribution to CASA of Montana . . .

CASA-CAN will submit a mini-grant to CASA of Montana - in 2008 our local program was granted $2,000 from Park-2-Park.

Community Partners

Do you have an Albertsons card that saves you pennies here and dollars there? Of course, it only makes sense these days. But, it's good for more than that! If you are signed up for the Community Patners program 3% of your total bill will be donated to CASA-CAN. If you're not sure if CASA is connected to your card, or have not signed up for the program it's time! Every penny and every dollar helps CASA as well as your grocery bill. Questions? Amanda is waiting to answer them. cascadecasa@gtfalls.com. 406-454-6738.

Who is the new girl in the corner at CASA?

That new girl is me, Amanda Nigrello and I am an Americorps VISTA. I'm sure a lot of you want to know "what is Americorps VISTA'? Well Americorps VISTA stands for, Volunteers in Service to America, which simply means VISTA is a "national service program aimed at fighting poverty" (americorps.gov). It was founded in 1965 under President John F. Kennedy. 1993 under President Bill Clinton VISTA became part of Americorps. As a VISTA you spend one year fighting the effects of poverty in a community anywhere in the United States. So there is some of the nuts and bolts of what Americorps VISTA is, but if you want to learn more, or if I have motivated you to become a VISTA visit www.americorps.gov and see the other programs Americorps has to offer. 

 My Americorps VISTA story begins as another chapter was ending...I recently graduated from Castleton State College in Vermont with my Bachelors in Social Work and Sociology and I was not quite sure what I wanted to do after graduation. Throughout the years I had heard about Americorps, but I had put it in the back of my mind, until it was crunch time to figure out what came after graduation. Like anyone my age I "googled" Americorps and found the VISTA program which eventually led me to CASA-CAN in Great Falls, Montana and the rest is pretty much history.

There is more to me than being a VISTA. I grew up in a small town in New Hampshire. I love to ski and I am a huge Red Sox fan. In the summers I am a beach bum and though I will miss the New Hampshire seacoast I am excited to see what Montana has to offer. My time in Great Falls has been limited I have come to appreciate and enjoy the laid back lfestyle of Montana compared to the hustle and bustle of the Northeast. I came to Montana for an adventure and I would love to hear your suggestions on what I need to see and do while I am out here. Next time you're in the office poke your head in and introduce yourself.

W A N T E D

CASA-CAN is looking for powerful voices to speak in children's best interests in court. The job doesn't begin and end there though. CASA volunteers speak to everyone involved in the case, including the children, parents, social worker, counselors and so on and work closely with CASA staff to make an informed recommendation to the court.

Previous experience NOT required.

Previous training NOT required.

If you want to make a difference in the future of our children, and ultimately our community, you can do this volunteer job. Contact CASA today to get started. The next training begins September 28, 2009.

Update on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:17AM by CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network

Right now CASA staff is interviewing potential volunteer guardians ad litem to participate in the Pre-Service training. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, now is the time to contact CASA!

N.E.W.

N.E.W. has always been a contributing corporate citizen in Great Falls. This year a proprosal came our way to host a Golf Tournament to benefit CASA-CAN. Hold the date - July 12 - and shine up those clubs! N.E.W.'s  goal is to help support the "dedicated volunteer force of court appointed advocates for abused and neglected children." In addition they hope to increase exposure of the organization to the general public.
            We would be remiss if we didn't thank Dewey Goering for chairing the event. He has already put in hours and hours of work. He even plans to carry on from a vacation spot in Florida - the first vacation he's had in 3 years!

Connie Croskrey from N.E.W. has served on the CASA-CAN Board of Directors for four years and brought Dewey's concept to the Board. Thanks Connie!