Pictured above: Clay Dean (left), Mattoon Area Community Foundation, presents CASA of East Central Illinois with grant checks from the Mattoon Area CommunityWorks Fund and Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership. Accepting the grant funds are Diane Hutchins (center) (CASA board member) and Kristen Bertrand (right) (Executive Director, CASA of East Central Illinois).
The Mattoon Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded CASA of East Central Illinois (formerly Coles County CASA) a grant in the amount of $1,500 from the Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership. CASA of East Central Illinois staff will use this grant to defray the costs of attending the 2016 CASA National Conference in Washington, D.C.
The CASA National Conference provides local CASA staff with the opportunity to further develop their skills through workshops, general sessions, and peer networking. The training received at the National Conference allows CASA staff members to become more effective in the recruitment and training of volunteer advocates as well as the care of their juvenile clients.
The Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Leadership was developed to both recognize the good works of area non-profits and to provide incentive to achieve the fullest community potential. It provides financial support for leadership training and development for non-profit organizations in Coles County.
CASA of East Central Illinois is also the recipient of a $1,493 grant from the Mattoon Area CommunityWorks Fund for its CASA Volunteer Expansion Project to increase awareness of the program and the need for volunteer advocates. The goal of this project is to promote CASA, raise awareness of the abuse and neglect of children, and to recruit volunteers. This grant will be used to offset the cost of marketing expenses necessary to achieve this goal.
CASA is a not-for-profit corporation that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children brought into the Coles County Juvenile Court System. There are currently two staff members, 27 CASA volunteer advocates serving more than 65 children in Coles County. More information can be found at http://www.casaeci.org/.
The Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Leadership and the Mattoon Area CommunityWorks are two of the many grant-making funds managed by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. For more information, contact Janeen Emory-Kolb at 217-342-4988 or by e-mail (jemorykolb@enrichingourcommunity.org).
