YWCA Clark County’s fundraiser for its program serving vulnerable children has nearly reached the halfway point to its goal of $120,000. After losing a key funder in July, the nonprofit launched a campaign to keep the CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, program running with the help of a new volunteer recruitment position.
The community has stepped up with nearly $20,000 in donations, and the National CASA Association granted the organization $29,000 for the first year of this new position, according to a news release. YWCA aims to raise the remaining $71,000 by Aug. 31.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained volunteers appointed by the court to serve in the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. In 2018, the program served 835 children. There are similar programs throughout the country.
“The expiration of a federal grant this summer left a critical gap in our ability to recruit and support volunteers, who are the lifeblood of CASA’s mission,” Sheryl Thierry, CASA director, said in the news release. “YWCA and CASA have developed a strategy and revised budget for the program that will greatly strengthen Clark County CASA in the future, enabling it to better serve our most vulnerable children. But we need to fill that funding gap before we can set our new direction. The National CASA grant moves us much closer to our goal.”
To learn more about the fundraising campaign or to donate to CASA, visit www.ywcaclarkcounty.org/change-a-childs-story or contact Brittini Lasseigne, YWCA director of philanthropy, at blasseigne@ywcaclarkcounty.org or 360-906-9123.
