CASA-BAR FOUNDATION GRANT
Last year, the WV Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors approved its first challenge grant for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in the Eastern Panhandle of the state. The Bar Foundation provided the majority of the funding after the CASA program was able to raise some initial money.
CASA programs are located in various parts of West Virginia and have operated for approximately 20 years to advocate in court on behalf of children who have suffered child abuse and neglect. Each CASA volunteer receives the necessary training to assist judges in making important decisions affecting the lives of our young people.
The Bar Foundation grant was designated for training sets and graduation packets within the past year. According to Vicki Barnard, the CASA-EP Executive Director, “CASA-EP added 12 new sworn advocates to our CASA-EP family during this time frame as advocate support team members after successfully completing our standardized training and ultimate swearing-in ceremony by the judge, which reflects an increase of 42%. Throughout the time period, our new advocates provided much needed support to our core group of volunteers generating 4,536 overall hours of CASA service to the children.”
Pictured above is the CASA graduation ceremony with Circuit Court Judge Michael D. Lorensen, on the left, administering the oath.
Ms. Barnard also stated–“Proudly, we add, with the addition of our newest volunteers, we were able to assign CASAs to 42 children subject to child abuse and neglect new to the foster care and judicial systems within this time period who would not have had the benefit of a CASA without this funding, additionally we were able to assist in closing cases for 28 children and continuing CASA coverage for 67 children who were already in the system.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
The Bar Foundation’s fifteen member Board of Directors will hold its quarterly meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 12:00 Noon at the law offices of Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso in Charleston.
The agenda for the meeting includes the financial report, a presentation by the Independent Auditor, Investment Fund review, various committee reports with recommendations for action and planning decisions for future programs and activities.
END OF YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS
The end of the year is fast approaching which is the time when the vast majority of contributions and donations are made to worthwhile charitable organizations.
Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the WV Bar Foundation so that the Board of Directors can increase its strong commitment to assisting those activities in the state that improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services in the areas of child abuse and neglect prevention, civic and law related education and legal system scholarships.
You can easily make donations electronically on the Bar Foundation’s homepage on the new website— www.wvbarfound.org —-or send a check to WV Bar Foundation, P. O. Box 4845, Charleston, WV 25364.
Do it before December 31, 2013.
Thank You for your kindness and generosity!
Please visit our website at wvbarfound.org
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Thomas R. Tinder, Esq.
Executive Director
West Virginia Bar Foundation
Post Office Box 4845
Charleston, WV 25364
304-343-9823-phone
tom@wvbarfoundation.org
The philanthropic organization for West Virginia’s legal profession and justice system.
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