Mesilla Valley CASA

Remember to join us tomorrow, July 26 from 3-5pm for ICE CREAM!!!

bring your kids, your friends, and your happy hour crew!

Do you like ice cream on a hot summer day? Have you ever wondered how you could make a difference in your community? Or of working with children and young adults in foster care?

If you answered yes or we caught your attention, please join us and CYFD to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer or resource foster parent! We will be hosting an ice cream social from 3-5 pm on July 26th at our office and will have more information on getting involved. Feel free to stop with your friends, family and kids!

This past week our office celebrated with local Girl Scout Savannah in reaching a milestone in her Gold Award project. Savannah reached out to the community and connected with Mesilla Valley CASA. Savannah with the help of her support team, raised money, produced content to help recruit volunteers and used funds to build a set of lockers in our office. These lockers will be made available to our Dona Ana County youth and young adults impacted by foster care who need a safe place to store important documents and their personal items. Our office is in awe of Savannah and her drive and dedication she has shown through this process. Thank you to Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico for connecting us all together!

Pictured: MV CASA Program Director Brandie White, Savannah, and CFSNM Finance, Scholarship and Grants Coordinator Savannah Zamora

Mesilla Valley CASA is excited to partner with our local CYFD office to recruit resource foster families and CASA volunteer advocates! Be on the lookout for us around town! If you or someone you know is interested, please contact us at [email protected]

Reunification is a tough and challenging process for our families as they address the safety concerns that brought the children into care.

Reunification is achievable and successful when the child welfare system is:
-strengths based
-culturally responsive
-trauma informed
-is accessible to our parents and caregivers.

Learn more on our website on becoming a CASA and reunification: https://www.mesillavalleycasa.org/post/june-is-national-reunification-month

Here is a statement from one of our CASAs on their experience working towards reunification in their case.

"The very first child I had the pleasure to be assigned was eventually reunified with her birth mother. The reunification process proceeded much quicker than I thought it should based on the child's therapeutic milestones. It became clear, however, that mother and child both desired reunification. Further, the birth mother, during the reunification process, demonstrated a commitment to her child's therapeutic needs. After reunification, I still have a level of concern for this child, but I find comfort in the fact that she is home where she wants to be."

To learn more about the work of our CASAs please visit our website:
https://www.mesillavalleycasa.org/

During the month of June, we reached out to our CASAs that have worked cases that resulted in reunification. Reunification is the primary goal when children enter the foster care system. Strong family supports can help to ensure that our families are successful when reunifying.

June is National Reunification Month. Reunification is possible when child welfare agencies implement trauma-informed and family-centered approaches that build on the strengths of families.

Mesilla Valley CASA celebrates the resiliency of families and recognizes the dedication of our service providers, volunteers, and community partners.

Visit our website to learn more about Mesilla Valley CASA: https://www.mesillavalleycasa.org/

Mesilla Valley CASA would like to recognize all of our Prize and Hole Sponsors from our 11th Annual Golf Tournament. Thank you to everyone in our community that came together and supported us this year! We look forward to next year!

On May 3, 2024 we hosted the 11th Annual Mesilla Valley CASA Golf Tournament. We would like to recognize and give a shout out to our sponsors. Thank you for supporting Mesilla Valley CASA and showing up for Dona Ana County children in foster care, we couldn't do our work without you!

May is National Foster Care Month and 2024 focuses on how we can best support youth to successfully transition them into adulthood with strong and holistic supports.

Mesilla Valley CASA would like to recognize a family that has had made a lasting impact in our community. The Cummings have been foster parents for 53 years and they estimate that they have fostered over 600 children! Thank you to the Cummings family for your service in Dona Ana County and your dedication to our children in foster care!

Pictured: Program Director Brandie White and Carolyn Cummings

Last week Mesilla Valley CASA held our 11th Annual Golf Scramble at Sonoma Ranch Golf Course. Our first place winners were The Back Nine Bullies. Second place went to Team Bullock and our third place winners were the Sunny Acres RV Park team. We had a fantastic turnout with 22 teams! Thank you to everyone that came out and enjoyed a round of golf with us!

Happy Monday! Mesilla Valley CASA would like to give a shout out to our community. On Friday during Southern New Mexico Giving Day we raised enough to meet our $500 match goal and more!

Thank you to our donors, with your gifts we will be able to ensure our children in Dona Ana County have what they need while in foster care.

Thank you to those who shared our posts and got the word out, we could not have done it without your support! ❤

Today is Southern New Mexico Giving Day and Mesilla Valley CASA is one of the 80 nonprofit organizations that are participating in this virtual event! We invite you all to support us reach our match goal of $500. The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and United Way of Southwest New Mexico will match your gift $1 for $1. All proceeds raised today will be used to meet the direct needs of kids in foster care. Find out more information at the link below!

https://www.southernnewmexicogivingday.org/organizations/mesilla-valley-casa-inc

Mesilla Valley CASA participated in the Child Abuse Awareness Month Event at Plaza de Las Cruces. We would like to thank Families & Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+), New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department, and the Dona Ana County District Attorney's Office in putting this event together to continue to raise awareness of child abuse.

The month of April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The theme for 2024 is "Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change". According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC: child abuse and neglect are common. At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. Mesilla Valley CASA invites you to visit the link in our bio to see how you can be a part of the change in Dona Ana County.

Empowering voices, and advocating for change; in 1993, Mesilla Valley CASA was born out of a crucial need recognized by the Judges of New Mexico's Third District Court. Before CASA, decisions about abused and neglected children lacked vital information which impaired outcomes in drastic ways. Arising the need for advocating – ordinary citizens, trained and armed with the tools to be the voice the children in our community deserve. The CASA advocates are more than volunteers; they're dedicated to serving their community, ensuring that every child's best interest is heard and considered. This is Mesilla Valley CASA, by giving you can support their mission and make an impact in your community, one child at a time.

To give to Mesilla Valley CASA's endowment and support in the journey of advocacy and justice for our community's children, visit:
https://cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1235

Thanks for the support, Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico!

Empowering voices, and advocating for change; in 1993, Mesilla Valley CASA was born out of a crucial need recognized by the Judges of New Mexico's Third District Court. Before CASA, decisions about abused and neglected children lacked vital information which impaired outcomes in drastic ways. Arising the need for advocating – ordinary citizens, trained and armed with the tools to be the voice the children in our community deserve. The CASA advocates are more than volunteers; they're dedicated to serving their community, ensuring that every child's best interest is heard and considered. This is Mesilla Valley CASA, by giving you can support their mission and make an impact in your community, one child at a time.

To give to Mesilla Valley CASA's endowment and support in the journey of advocacy and justice for our community's children, visit:
https://cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1235

As March is ending, Mesilla Valley CASA would like to take a moment to recognize that March is Social Work Month. For 2024, the theme was Empowering Social Workers! Mesilla Valley CASA would like to recognize the importance of the social work field and thank the social workers that work everyday to strengthen and heal our communities.

Mark your calendars! The 11th annual MV Mesilla Valley CASA golf fundraiser is coming!

We'd like to offer a heartfelt thanks to every supporter of Mesilla Valley CASA throughout 2023. We look forward to sharing our work during 2024!

We are so grateful for the support of our community this year. As you are reflecting on end of year giving, we hope you will consider donating to Mesilla Valley CASA so we can continue to meet the needs of the children and teens impacted by abuse and neglect. https://www.mesillavalleycasa.org/support-us

International Volunteer day is a day for organizations to celebrate the efforts and values of their volunteers. The 2023 theme this year centers on collective action, "The power of everyone".

Mesilla Valley CASA would like to recognize all of the volunteer CASAs that have worked this year to champion the rights and best interests for children in foster care this year in Dona Ana County. We appreciate your time, dedication and diligent work in advocating for our CASA kids!

Make an impact for children in foster care by supporting Mesilla Valley CASA this !

November 11th is Veterans Day and Mesilla Valley CASA would like to take a moment to recognize our veterans. Thank you to all that have served and to those currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

May is National Foster Care Month, where we take a moment to appreciate all those who work in the foster care system, including foster families, birth families, CPS workers, therapists, attorneys, judges, and CASAs.

It truly takes a village to care for children. Contact us today to become part of the change.

May is National Foster Care Month, where we take a moment to appreciate all those who work in the foster care system, including foster families, birth families, CPS workers, therapists, attorneys, judges, and CASAs. It truly takes a village to care for children. Contact us today to become part of the change.

We are so grateful for this opportunity to partner with Mesilla Valley Transportation! Thank you!!!

🎉🏌️‍♂️✨ Big news! We're thrilled to announce that Mesilla Valley CASA has been selected as the beneficiary for the 7th Annual MVT Charity Golf Tournament 🏆⛳️🏌️‍♀️!
🙌We can't wait to support this local charity and help them make a positive impact in our community. To learn more about Mesilla Valley CASA and their mission, visit their website at www.mesillavalleycasa.org. Let's make a difference together! 🤝💚

Last week Mesilla Valley CASA was able to help a young person who had been stranded in Las Cruces. The young person wrote us a beautiful thank you card. We are honored to be a small part of their journey. Best of luck to you, thoughtful one 🩵

We are grateful for the support of community groups like the Kiwanis Club!

Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces makes a donation to the Mesilla Valley CASA an organization that advocates for children in foster care. The Kiwanis Club is a Las Cruces based service club that raises funds and conducts projects to help all children in our area. Our motto is “Kids need Kiwanis”. Pictured in the photo from left to right is Casilda Provencio, CASA Advocate Coach, Jim Vorenberg, Kiwanis Treasurer, Velvet Hazard, CASA Advocate Coach, Doreen Gallegos, CASA Executive Director and Laurel Brandi, Kiwanis Secretary Elect. To learn more about the Las Cruces Kiwanis Club visit our page, Kiwanis Club of Las Cruces.