As Children First continues to grow, so does our staff. The increased workload creates a unique opportunity to give local college students the chance to receive real life experience in a non-profit organization. We are pleased to announce the arrival of four interns this semester. Ranging in studies of social work to public relations, we are excited about the insight and dedication our newest staff members are bringing to the table. Let’s meet our interns! 

Picture
·      Rebeka GeerCASA Social Media/PR Intern

Rebeka is a junior at the University of Georgia, pursuing a degree in public relations with a certificate in service leadership. Having spent a portion of her childhood in foster care, she understands the hardships that abused and neglected children face, and is passionate about giving them a voice. Last Christmas, she volunteered in an orphanage in Tanzania and she plans on joining the Peace Corps after college graduation. In the future, she hopes to use her first-hand experience within the child welfare system as a tool to advocate for children rights. 


Picture
·      Devin McLeod, Children First Program Intern

Devin received his Bachelor of Arts at Kennesaw State University in modern language and culture with a major in Spanish and a minor in Italian. He is working on his Master in Social Work at Kennesaw State with a concentration in family and children. He interns for CASA, Family Time Visitation, and SPARC. 



Picture
·      Rob Turner, Family Time Intern

Rob is from Cochran, Ga. He is obtaining his bachelor’s degree with a focus in social work at the University of Georgia. He wants to work with children and their families after getting his master’s degree in social work. He is currently working with Virginia at Family Time. His tasks include observing visitations and assisting in the day-to-day operations in the office.



Picture
·      Naria Williams, Social Media/PR Intern
Naria is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in public relations and minoring in sociology. Set to graduate in May, she is interested in possibly pursuing a future in non-profit public relations. Last summer, she studied abroad in South Africa where she thoroughly enjoyed studying service learning and leadership. As the social media intern, she works closely with Mary Joyce updating social media and     assisting with event planning. 




 
 
Picture
Together Everyone Achieves More

Bess and Brady Allen, both retired educators, have been CASA volunteers since February of last year. "We have worked with these children for years in classrooms and programs but we never had a way to help their home situations. Now we can help change circumstances and advocate for what is in the best interest of the children."  The pair is currently on their third case with CASA.

On working as a pair, Bess and Brady say that they benefit from each others strengths. One is more analytical, takes verbatim notes, and is better at reading body language while the other tends to be more global in thinking, feeling out situations and noticing peoples interactions. Together they do a lot of creative problem solving. Having someone to bounce ideas off of allows them to dig deeper into situations and ultimately provides more support to the children and families they serve. 

On a case that led them to the Atlanta Burn Center Bess and Brady were able to take advantage of their extra man power. While one was able to hold interviews, the other went on to obtain medical records to make sure nothing had slipped through the cracks for the child they were advocating for. They've been able to keep each other on top of their cases, like the time they had a child that was in need of surgery for a cleft palet. They kept on the case until their efforts were rewarded and the little girl was able to have the surgery she needed!

Their advice for CASAs is to start gathering facts as a team and keep in close touch with your supervisor.

"We are helping save the lives of children who have been victimized"

If you're interested in advocating for a child please contact mary@childrenfirst-inc.org for more information.

 
 
You can raise money for Children's first just by switching your search engine!

It's easy ... every time you search the Internet at GoodSearch.com, Children First earns money to help the children and families we serve. The more you search, the more you raise! Search engines generate billions of dollars each year through advertisements and Goodsearch.com has found a way to give back. Not to mention, it's powered by Yahoo so you'll still receive high quality search results.

Go to Goodsearch.com >Where it says, "Who do you GoodSearch for" add: CASA - Athens Oconee  as your charity > enter your search > get great results while doing a good deed! 

For easiest access to Good Search, set it as your homepage or add a toolbar to your browser! 

Also, if you shop online - head to the Goodshop section of Goodsearch.com. By simply selecting the store that you'd like to shop on from this website, and adding that you shop for CASA - Athens Oconee, 3% of your purchase will be donated back to Children First!
 
 
 
 
Children First is honored to be the recipient of Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation's 2011 Outstanding Rehabilitation Award!

The award ceremony was held at the University of Georgia Fine Arts Theatre (a 2010 award winner) this past Monday. Our Pope Street Cottage was recognized for the reconstruction and restoration of it's original Georgian floor plan. We are proud that Children First can continue to be a place that the families in our programs can feel at home. 

Rehabilitation is defined as: “The act or process of returning a property to a state of utility through repair or alteration which makes possible an efficient contemporary use while preserving those features of the property which are significant to its historical, architectural, and cultural values.”

You can see photos and commentary on the Pope Street Cottage transformation on the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation Facebook page HERE
 
 

"District Attorney Robert James and Tax Commissioner Claudia Lawson are partnering to crack down on parents who have failed to pay child support for more than 60 days by revoking their license plates." Parents will first be given a warning, but if they continue not to pay their child support they will loose their right to drive.
You can read the full article here.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this new policy!
 
 
We are so honored to be nominated by Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation for an Annual Preservation Award! This year's ceremony will be held in the University of Georgia Fine Arts Theatre June 13th at 6:30pm. The event will feature a cash bar, light hors d'oeuvres, an ACHF year in review, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the best preservation projects in town. It's free and open to the public, as they say, "This is Your Athens." We are very proud of our Pope Street cottage and feel fortunate to have the opportunity celebrate it -- hope you'll be able to join us!

RSVP to the Facebook event here.


Picture
 
 
Thank you to the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority for their consistent support of the Athens-Oconee CASA Program.  The recently held a "Rock the CASA" BBQ and raised nearly $9,000 through the Tickets Fore Charity event!  These women have been dedicated advocates for CASA's cause for years, and our CASA program would be hard-pressed without them.

Photos From the Rock the CASA BBQ

 
 
Thank you to everyone that attended our Volunteer Appreciation on Thursday, April 28th. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious, and it was wonderful to see so many dedicated child advocates and supporters! 
Congratulations to the following award winners:
Monika Dobbs - The Linda and Jerry Strickland Volunteer of the Year
Kelsey Chandler - Childcare Volunteer of the Year  
Beth Johnston - Volunteer Voice of the Year.

A special thank you to Trumps Catering and Sally and Mark Barnes for their help with this event.  Check out photos below or on our Facebook Page.
 
 
For the CASA program to have a home base is a great improvement. With our new office we are able to have more meetings in the office, volunteers feel more comfortable with parking and we are able to have more centralized events. We also have a training room which I am looking forward to using. 

 

When ideally think of a house, I think safety and for the families that we encounter through our line of work; their home or lack of home may not be safe.  So through the work that the CASA’s do, my hope is that all these children and families are able to have safe permanent homes.
--Susie Weller, Children First Volunteer Coordinator