business as usual?!

“2020 certainly had something in store for us, but it’s not quite what we imagined,” states Kate Blair, executive director. COVID-19 has altered how we conduct business, interact socially, travel, and much more. Although how we advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect has changed, it has not ceased. Fortunately, our staff, volunteers, and community partners have risen to the occasion to virtually advocate and continually fight for the best interests of children in foster care. As a result of these changes we have become masters at the art of zoom, held the first completely virtual volunteer training, and even polished up our Google suite knowledge to better support our volunteers and the mission of the organization.
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CASA volunteers- the real superheroes- have held countless phone calls, video chats, and conferences to their children, parents, foster caregivers, attorneys, and more to ensure the children’s needs are being met during this pandemic. So far volunteers have logged over 2,675 hours since January 2020, with a value of $53,000. Although many business operations have shifted or ceased, the work of Savannah/Chatham CASA has not. Our progress is attributed to dedicated community volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for our most vulnerable population, children who have experience abuse or neglect.

​Please take a look at our progress and see what else we’ve been up to:

• We added an AmeriCorps VISTA position filled by Hollyn Green. She has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team. While having to learn our systems virtually, Hollyn recruited and interviewed enough prospective volunteers to fill two new training classes - - during a pandemic! 

 

• We’ve hosted two summer interns, Talia Gallo and Shannon Pickett. They have added so much value to our organization while working remotely in different cities. Talia focuses on policy and communications while Shannon is working closely with coordinators and volunteers to implement new systems. 

• Our CASA trainer, Eric Hornfeld, facilitated our first fully-online Pre-Service Training. The reviews are in - he did an amazing job and we were able to swear in 17 new CASA volunteers! He will begin the second virtual training in August.

• Our advocacy coordinators, Susan Ryncavage, Tim Wright, Sharon Newman, and Maggie Smith, led by our Advocacy Program Manager, Mandy Roberts, shifted quickly to equip their volunteers to move to virtual advocacy. From learning new communication platforms to advocating for virtual hearings - all while attempting to minimize the cameos of their little ones (furry or human) in their Zoom calls! 

• Our development and communications coordinator, Kayla Williams, is like Ross and Rachel on Friends trying to get the couch up the stairs - PIVOT! PIVOT! PIVOT! From ramping up individual giving to figuring out how to continue with our signature event, Dancing with Savannah Stars while still finding time to be creative through jewelry making. Did you see her on the cover of Connect Savannah? 

• Our administrative assistant, Teresa MacBride, has the big job of keeping us all in line - virtually. I don’t know how she does it, but I am sure glad she does. 
  
  
• Our staff continues to work at home for the foreseeable future. DFCS has restricted access to the building to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the Juvenile Court continues to host virtual hearings. 

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