Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kosciusko County Inc. has grown over the past few months and will be experiencing a tremendous change by the end of this year. The additions of Dana Romero, volunteer coordinator, and Renea Salyer, program manager, have supplied the CASA program with more staff to enhance and provide a broader base to accommodate the increased caseloads for at-risk children in Kosciusko County. Romero’s responsibilities include working with the volunteers supporting their needs throughout their cases. Romero comes to CASA with a background assisting children with disabilities in five area high schools, helping them navigate the system of vocational rehabilitation and securing jobs. Romero holds a degree in business administration from Grace College. Salyer’s responsibilities as program manager are to bring awareness to the community about the CASA mission, speaking in the best interest of children who are at-risk for abuse and neglect. CASA recruits, trains and supports volunteers to serve at-risk children in the family court system. Salyer’s experience in fundraising, grant writing, public relations and marketing will support the efforts to continue to build and update the CASA program. Romero and Salyer have been CASA volunteers before becoming CASA staff, thus allowing them to fulfill their duty with experience to guide the dedicated volunteers. Mackenzie Cloutier joined CASA in 2010 as the associate director. Cloutier served on the CASA Board of Directors for one year and as a CASA volunteer before becoming associate director. Cloutier has worked with children in the school system and has a degree in criminal justice. At the end of the year, Cloutier will become the executive director of CASA of Kosciusko County. Sally Mahnken will retire from CASA in December after 17 years of dedication. She gave of her time as a CASA volunteer for three years before serving 14 years as executive director.Mahnken was instrumental in identifying ways to raise funds to sustain the program, and has orchestrated the county’s yearly fundraiser. CASA of Kosciusko County Inc. is holding the 10th Annual Holiday Festival fundraising event Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Biomet Hangar. Tickets can be purchased online at www.casachildren.com by clicking on the Holiday Festival tab or by calling the office at 574-372-2401. CASA’s fundraising efforts are used mainly for volunteer recruitment, screening, training and supervision.
