CASA Nashville Turns 35 Years Old and is Celebrating with Online Initiative

NASHVILLE’S COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES

FOR CHILDREN TURNS 35,

CELEBRATING WITH ONLINE INITIATIVE

CASA Nashville to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month with series of events, fundraisers and educational content throughout April

Nashville’s Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA Nashville) is planning a busy April to celebrate a milestone birthday, raise awareness, and host a critical fundraiser. Like many other nonprofits and businesses, CASA Nashville had to alter its plans due to COVID-19, but because of the pandemic, the need for this venerable nonprofit is now greater than ever.

“April is ‘Child Abuse Prevention Month,’ so it is the perfect time for CASA to host a public awareness initiative around its mission and mark 35 years of service, all while working to raise money to support the work we do,” said Julieanna Huddle, Executive Director of CASA Nashville. “This online fundraiser will make it easy for people to support our community’s most vulnerable children and youth from wherever they may be located. Even if people are unable to donate to the cause, we hope they will be able to learn about what’s happening in our neighborhoods and help us change a child’s story for the better.”

As the pandemic began, domestic violence calls in Tennessee quickly rose by 50 percent, but child abuse calls decreased by 20 percent. Child welfare experts knew this was far from a good sign. Due to school closures and social isolation, fewer teachers and caring adult observers were seeing endangered children on a daily basis. As communities have re-opened, and there are more eyes on children, Davidson County Juvenile Court has seen a 350% increase in reported crimes against children – and many of those cases are more serious than ever before.

This year’s month-long series of events, content and announcements will include an

80’s theme because CASA Nashville was founded in 1984. Last year’s “Totally 80’s Birthday Bash” celebrating the nonprofit’s 35th anniversary was canceled due to the pandemic, so this year’s main event is called “Totally 80’s Belated Birthday Bash.” Konica Minolta is the Presenting Sponsor. Some elements of the Bash include an online auction, video content and storytelling, and a chance to give a “birthday gift” that will make a difference in the life of foster children who have suffered abuse and neglect. Additionally, instead of ordering a dinner for themselves, event supporters will have the opportunity to surprise a foster family by “paying forward” a delicious catered family dinner.

“I am particularly excited about paying forward the catered family dinner to foster families,” said Sam Schiffli who serves on the CASA Board and as President of the South Region for Presenting Sponsor, Konica Minolta. “We know that family dinners are very important to children, and not always easy to make happen, so it’s wonderful to add this aspect to our celebration and fundraiser. It IS about these children and their families, after all. Konica Minolta is very proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of this important event, and I’m glad our funds will be used to help current and future foster care children being served by CASA Volunteer Advocates.”

Funds raised through the event will help CASA recruit, train, and coach community volunteers to advocate on behalf of children who have been removed from their parental homes due to abuse or neglect. CASA Volunteer Advocates ensure that these children have a voice in court, that their best interests are considered in all decisions, and that they are placed in a safe, loving, permanent home as quickly as possible. Changing a Child’s Story™ builds a stronger community now and a brighter tomorrow for future generations. For more information, please visit casanashville.org.

“While I wish we could celebrate this milestone birthday in person, this event has so many great elements to it,” said Leslie Newman, CASA Nashville’s Board President and Managing Counsel at Parallon, a subsidiary of Ambassador level event sponsor, HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health. “The fundraising components look like fun, and we don’t have to limit the number of participants due to space. I also love hearing and sharing the stories of CASA; they are always so compelling. It is so important that we call attention to Child Abuse Prevention during the month of April. HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health is glad to be the Ambassador Sponsor.”

You can support and participate in CASA Nashville’s fundraiser in various ways:

For more information on the event go to www.CASAnashville.org/events and/or to donate now, go to http://weblink.donorperfect.com/BelatedBirthdayBash.

Throughout April, please follow CASA Nashville on Facebook and/or Instagram @casanashville, and “like and share” the content to help spread the word about CASA’s important work in our community.

Thank you to our event leadership and sponsors:

Totally 80’s Belated Birthday Bash Event Chairs –

Katherine Daniels and Leigh Sutherland

Totally 80’s Belated Birthday Bash Auction Chairs –

Tonya Stevens and Julie Webb

Totally 80’s Belated Birthday Bash sponsors –

Presenting Sponsor – Konica Minolta

Ambassador Sponsor – HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health

Champion Sponsor – Bart Durham Injury Law; CoreCivic Foundation; Infinity Hospitality; Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt; Leslie and Scott Newman

Advocate Sponsors – Trudy and Whit Clark; Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC; Suzanne Harrison; Publix Charities; Nathan and Jennifer Weinberg of MW Real Estate Co.

Partner Sponsors – CapStar Bank; Dorothy Cate and Thomas F. Frist Foundation; Ashley and Douglas Henry; Ellen and Michael Levitt; Tom Pulliam of Northwestern Mutual; Candace Reed and Sean Kirk; Sherrard Roe Voight & Harbison; Sutherland & Belk, PLC; Worth Properties, LLC

About CASA

Our mission is to advocate for hope, healing, and permanency for abused and neglected children in cases before Juvenile Court by providing trained Volunteer Advocates in the Nashville community.