Peoria-Area Community Impact Guide 2023-2024

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT The mission of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Tenth Judicial Circuit is to ensure that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect is placed in a safe and permanent home, by utilizing specially trained community volunteers who advocate for children abused or neglected going through the court system.

324 Main Street, Room 215 Peoria, IL 61602 Phone: (309) 669-2939 Fax: (309) 672-6957 Email: casa@peoriacounty.org Website : wwwcasaofthetenthorg Facebook : @CASAoftheTenth Twitter : @CASAoftheTenth

Instagram : @casaofthetenthjudicialcircuit YouTube : @casaofthetenthjudicialcircuit KEY STAFF Pamela Perrilles, Executive Director Mike Murphy, Associate Director

CASA Volunteers:  Learn about the child and the child’s family and life  Engage the child during regular visits  Advocate for the child’s best interests  Collaborate with others to ensure that necessary services are provided  Report what is learned and observed to the court DID YOU KNOW? A child assigned a CASA Volunteer:  w ill spend less time in foster care  will be more likely to find a safe, perma nent home  will be significantly less likely to re-enter foster care Last fiscal year CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit:  served 610 children through 173 CASA Volunteers  helped close cases for 235 children SIGNATURE EVENTS Sip, Savor, Smoke

Lisa Norwood, Program Director Ryan Lacerna, Tazewell County Coordinator Cathy Dare, Training Coordinator BOARD MEMBERS Amy Moore-McKee, President James Kemper, Vice-President Scott Ostericher, Secretary Mark Mason, Treasurer Steve Howard, Asst Treasurer Andrew Barra

Kari Burg Teri Cook Dr Phillis Dewitt Bob McCullum Valerie Moehle Mark Plunkett, MD Love Ugorji

VISION CASA of the Tenth Judicial Circuit’s vision is that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect is placed in a safe permanent home as quickly as possible. VALUES We believe that all children have the right to a safe, permanent home and deserve the support and involvement of their commu nity to make this possible. WHAT WE DO CASA helps children in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Abuse and Neglect court system (Peoria, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties) achieve permanent homes and reduces the likelihood of future court involvement To accomplish this, CASA recruits, trains, and supervises community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

HOW TO HELP There are almost 2,000 pending child abuse and neglect cases in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. To reach the goal of serv ing 40% of the children in need of a CASA volunteer, we aim to recruit 100 new volunteers. Help Change a Child’s Story™ by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. To find out more about this rewarding volunteer op portunity contact Mike Murphy, Associate Director at mmurphy@peoriacounty.org or 309-981-5162. The cost to advocate for each child, excluding in-kind contributions, is approximately $1,800 per year. To support CASA with your donation or through participation in a fundraising event, visit our website or contact us.

Spring 2023 May 25, 2023 Par 3 Challenge & $1-Million Shootout Fall 2023 To Be Announced CASAblanca: Dancing with the Local Stars November 4, 2023

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