CASA awarded large grant to expand program

By Mary SchoenClark May 11, 2013 Human Services

KCBY, Aug 13, 2008

It’s a program that currently serves 140 children in the county, who are wards of the court or in foster care. Now, a new grant is ensuring a brighter future for more vulnerable kids.

This month, the Ford Family Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA, a program under Oregon Coast Community Action.

Although ORCCA has received grants from this foundation before, it’s the first grant for this particular program.

Bob More of ORCCA says, it will help expand their CASA volunteer force that has grown to 55 volunteers, as well as bring on additional staff.

“Primarily, we are going to be using it in a fundraising capacity to raise the money so that we can afford to hire a staff person, actually multiple staff persons over the long term,” says More.

While the grant serves as a big boost, More adds, additional funding will be needed to ensure they meet their goal that every child who needs it has CASA support.

“We’re really only about half way of where we need to go,” says More. “It’s sort of daunting to think about how to raise the money necessary to get from 55 to 100 because that’s what we really need.”

They’ve just hired on a CASA Development Specialist, Rebecca Yaeger of Bandon, who has already begun working on securing more grants.

The program will also be hosting a volunteer training class for the first time in September in Coos Bay.

To get involved, call (541) 396-1074.

http://www.kcby.com/news/local/26935389.html

 

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