Sometimes (all too often) there are children out there alone with no one to advocate for them and no one to speak up for the truth. There have been times when a child tries to speak out about being abused and no one believes them, or, even worse, there is a room full of people supporting the abuser and no one to help the child. This is why Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was born.
In honor of 25 years and assisting more than 10,000 children, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region hosted a donor appreciation reception on Tuesday at the El Pomar Center.
Dignitaries such as Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright, several other district judges, Attorney General John Suthers, past and present board members of CASA, politicians, fundraisers, case managers and some of the clients themselves were present for the heartfelt presentation. National CASA Association CEO Michael Piraino and his wife Carin were on hand from Seattle and it was the evident the level of admiration for the commitment and passion exuding from the Pikes Peak Chapter.
Executive Director Trudy Strewler Hodges had tears in her eyes as she recounted past experiences and thanked supporters and staff, as well as her family, who also had tears in their eyes listening to her.
Board Chair Heather Kelly did an excellent job in welcoming everyone and navigating the program. Earlier in the evening, special recognition awards were given to Mary Stark (fundraising), Ann Nichols (individual investor), Motif (small business partner), US Bank (corporate partner), the Helen K and Arthur E Johnson Foundation (foundation partner) and Michael Piraino (25th anniversary honoree).
CASA of the Pikes Peak Region was founded to train volunteers as advocates for victimized children and to educate the community about abuse and neglect. Through comprehensive training programs, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region educates a carefully screened and selected group of volunteers about child abuse, neglect, and domestic relations conflicts. They learn about the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, child development, advocating within the court system, the roles of the Department of Human Services, the judicial system, and many of the community resources available to children and families involved in these cases.
CASA of the Pikes Peak Region educates the community about factors contributing to child abuse, neglect, and domestic conflicts, and how involved individuals can positively impact efforts to end this cycle.
As Trudy Strewler Hodges put it, we wonder who will be the advocates of the future, but there is a “vision to serve every child in need every day, every year, by the year 2020.” That no doubt will happen if the current effort is any indication. She quoted Henry Ward Beechen: “Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.”
Board Chair Heather Kelly and her husband Leon Kelly
Board member Aje Sakamoto, left, and board member and honoree Paul Perea
Shannon Roe, left, Jane Hedgstrom, Karen and Mike Matkin and Trish St John
Lance and Brenda Miller
Mike and Barb McAdams, left, Tom Reuschlein, Christine Wetherbee
Tom Naughton, left, Cari and Larry Shaffer, Ann Naughton
Carin and Michael Piraino, National CASA Assn. CEO, and Rebecca Levenson
Honorees Steve Draper of Motif and Ann Nichols
Crystal Collette, left, board members Michele Strub-Heer and Heather Kelly
Sandy and Honorable David Parrish, left, JW and Carol Sanders, Carlene and Ted Decker
Tom Naughton chats with Liz Youngquist
Heather Kelly welcomes guests as Director Trudy Strewler Hodges looks on
Dave Palenchar of El Pomar welcomes everyone
Dave Palenchar gives a little history of the Penrose House
Trudy Strewler Hodges and Dave Palenchar
Trudy Strewler Holdges and honoree Mary Stark
Trudy Strewler Hodges hugs honoree Ann Nichols
Heather Kelly, left, Trudy Strewler Hodges and honoree Ann Nichols
Ann Nichols accepts her award for Individual Investor
Honoree Ann Nichols, left, and Director Trudy Strewler Hodges
Aje Sakamoto, left, and honoree Steve Draper of Motif
Tom Naughton of honoree US Bank with Trudy Strewler Hodges
From honoree US Bank: Paul Perea and Pam Paige
Trudy Strewler Hodges welcomes Jack Alexander of the Helen K and Arthur E Johnson Foundation
Trudy Strewler Hodges and Jack Alexander
Heather Kelly listens to Jack Alexander, foundation president of the Helen K and Arthur E Johnson Foundation
National CASA Assn CEO Michael Piraino is welcomed by Trudy Strewler Hodges
Michael Piraino and Trudy Strewler Hodges have lots of mutual professional admiration
Michael Piraino and Trudy Strewler Hodges
Carin and Michael Piraino with their 25th Anniversary award
Sam Sargent and CASA PR & Communications Manager Tracy Sellars
Board member Randy Romancheck, left, Roslyn Beall (CASA Operations Manager) and Paul Kattenthaler
Board member Helen Zinn, left, Libby Pitman, Susan Edmondson
Joe Raso, left, and Richard Strasbaugh
Dave Collette, left, and Jordan Strub
JW Sanders, left, Ted Decker, Jan and Ronald Altman
CJ Moore of Kaiser Permanente, left, with James Moore and Marion Moore
The beautiful decor in the Penrose House
Michael Piraino chats with Janet Suthers and Martha Barton
Attorney General John Suthers, left, Trudy Strewler Hodges and Michael Piraino
Board member Bree Langemo and her daughter Zoe, who also volunteers for CASA
Helen Zinn, left, chats with board member Diane English
Trish St John chats with Joan Strewler-Carter (Trudy’s sister) and Dennis Hodges
Some of the landscaping around the Penrose House
Board members Susan Strasbaugh, left, and Meredith Jones
Board member Cecelia Crossen helped to direct people to the event pavillion
Jacki Kintz and David Johnson, board members
Board members Benjamin Harvey, left, Katie Willemarck and Rhae Buckley
Past board member Rob and Ann McDonald
DeeAnn Rothstein, left, Aje Sakamoto and Jane Hedgstrom
Kathleen Gamblin, left, and board member Stephanie Hanenberg
Honorable Gilbert Martinez, left, Honorable Donald Campbell and Honorable Barbara Hughes
Board member Bill and Carol Hart, left, and Nettie Palace
The food buffet
Sandy and Scott Miller
Volunteers helped to check people in to the event
Judith Chandler and Craig Carnick
CASA Staff Jen McKee, left, RoseMary Jaramillo and Amanda Lunday
Board member David Johnson, left, Judy Barnett, first board president, and Ellen Casey and Debbie English, also board members
The tent pavillion at El Pomar
Joseph and Sheila Maio, left, greet Representative Lois Landgraf
Flower arrangements to complement the food table
Levi and board member Becky Akers
A large crowd of supporters attended the event
Linda and Senator Bernie Herpin
Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright, left, Leon Kelly and Ian Ferguson
Ian Ferguson, left, chats with Michael Piraino and Trudy Strewler Hodges
Board chair Heather Kelly introduced speakers
David Palenchar, trustee for special projects for the El Pomar Foundation
Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright spoke about how helpful CASA advocates can be in situations before the court
Justice Brian Boatright offered “Godspeed” to CASA volunteers
Ian Ferguson performs his special song with singers Nina, Olivia, Molly and Gretchen
A poignant moment for Trudy Strewler Holdges and Dennis Hodges
Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, came in from Seattle
Michael Piraino gestures on stage
Trudy Strewler Hodges thanks everyone for their support and participation
Trudy Strewler Hodges with closing remarks
Trudy Strewler Hodges is an extremely well respected leader
Trudy’s daughters Kellan and Rebecca came in for the event
Barbara Yalich, left, congratulates Trudy Strewler Hodges
Trudy Strewler Hodges and her proud family
Kiaya, a former client who spoke in the video, with her advocate Jane Hedgstrom
Mary Stark, Ann Nichols, Motif (Steve Draper, Andy & Heather Darrigan), US Bank (Tom Naughton, Paul Perea, Pam Paige), Helen K and Arthur E Johnson Foundation (Jack Alexander), Michael Piraino
Executive Director:
Trudy Strewler Hodges
Staff:
Roslyn Beall, operations manager; Lena Ruiz, administrative assistant; RoseMary Jaramillo, volunteer services mgr.; Kelly Peterschmidt and Karen Hughes, volunteer training coordinators; Laura Speer, volunteer services asst.; Karri Baker and Debra Cline, resource development coordinators; Angela Rose, director of programs; Gina James, dependency & neglect programs database mgr.; Lois Gracz, dependency & neglect lead case supr.; Janet Stoddard, Terry Dickman, Maegan Brundage, Crystall Karr, dependency & neglect case supervisors; Evelyn Calihan, program asst.; Jill McCormick, Life Long Links manager; Jillian Wiker, Life Long Links coordinator; Tiffany Clark-Trujillo, SEPT program manager; Kristeen O'Donnell, Jennifer McKee, Marah Armigo, Lesley Gallacher, Jeri Robb, SEPT program coordinators; Angela Komar, D & N case supervisor; Yvette Griego, SEPT program asst.; Tracy Sellars, PR & communications manager; Adam Biddle, PR & communications asst.; Amanda Lunday, volunteer recruitment coordinator
Introductions:
Heather Kelly
Speaker:
Dave Palenchar, El Pomar Foundation; Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright; National Association CEO Michael Piraino; Executive Director Trudy Strewler Hodges
Entertainment:
special song by Ian Ferguson with singers Nina, Olivia, Molly and Gretchen
Menu:
Crostini with assorted dips; chicken skewers with apricot glaze; teriaki glazed meatballs; cheese and cracker tray; dessert/fruit tray
Attire:
Business
Special Thanks:
volunteers and staff who have made this effort possible