2015 - 2016

CASA for Kids, Inc.

Year in Review

The Mission of CASA for Kids, Inc. is to support and promote professionally trained Court

Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children who have been brought to the

attention of the Juvenile Court and are in need of safety and permanency; giving them the

opportunity to thrive.

During the 2015-2016 year, CASA has advocated for 441 children in Sullivan and Hawkins

Counties. These children are now residing in a safe home environment. Our counties are

plagued by drug and alcohol abuse with the children being caught in an undeserved family

dynamic. Sullivan County is classified as Number 1 in the State of Tennessee for prescription

and illegal drug abuse.

More children are being brought daily to the attention of the Court in need of a “voice.” CASA

for Kids provides for as many cases as possible. However, these cases continue to take longer

amounts of time, requiring the need for more Volunteers. CASA is reaching as many people as

possible to address this need. With the help of an anonymous grant, a commercial will be

broadcast on several local major television networks asking for help in meeting the needs of

those who are need of assistance. This is the best possible avenue to reach the most people.

The Staff and Board of Directors continuously work together to make this an organization of

quality and sense of purpose. Donors are supportive of the mission and contribute to sustain

the need of CASA for Kids, Inc. We do appreciate all who have had a part in this successful

year in finding permanency for our children.

Mary L. Kilpatrick

Executive Director

2015 United Way Regional Campaign Kickoff

Guest Speaker Jason Brown

CASA for Kids staff attended the 2015 United Way Regional Kickoff hosted by United Way of

Washington County TN. Former NFL lineman, Jason Brown, spoke on his time playing in the

NFL and the leap of faith he took leaving the game behind and becoming a farmer. He and

his family operates First Fruits Farm that supplies food to local food

pantries and churches in the North Carolina Area.

Public Awareness

&

Volunteer Recruitment Opportunities

CASA Volunteer, Lisa Mitchell, helps recruit

volunteers at the KID Power Expo at Boones

Creek Christian Church.

Program Coordinator, Shannon Kern,

set up a booth for the Women’s &

Children’s Expo at Bristol Regional

Medical Center.

Executive Director, Mary

Kilpatrick, is on hand at an

Eastman Fair recruiting

volunteers

Missy Sturgill set up a booth at a

United Way of Greater Kingsport

Agency Fair at Eastman on August 26th.

Mary Kilpatrick

attends the

Tennessee CASA

State Conference

in Murfreesboro.

3rd Annual CASA Suite Party

Our 3nd Annual Suite Party was held on Saturday, August 29th in the Bristol Club Suite at

Bristol Motor Speedway. Partygoers enjoyed live music from Mark Larkins, Hors d’oeuvres,

drinks, and fun. Sleepy Owl Brewery provided a beer tasting for our guests with 3 craft

beers from their downtown Kingsport location.

Training Classes

CASA for Kids, Inc. held both a fall and a spring training class this year. Volunteers

learn the how the child welfare system, the Courts, and CASA come together to

protect and serve children in need of advocacy.

Shannon Kern teaches our Spring 2016 training class the

importance of objectivity and being neutral.

Fall 2015 training class learning about the child

welfare system.

CASA volunteer and Mentor, Kristie Woods, a

seasoned advocate of 8 years, sharing her

experience and insight with the class.

Joey Ondrak is pictured above being sworn in on October 30th

as a Court Appointed Special Advocate by Judge Lauderback

in the Bristol Juvenile Court.

Court Appointed Special Advocates Sworn In

On October 29th Megan McCoy, Norma Henderson, Shamekia Thompson-White, and Regina Perkins completed their CASA Volunteer training and were sworn in by Kingsport Juvenile Judge Ray Conkin as

Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Judge Mark Toohey swore in Amanda Everett, Drenda

Phillips, Diane Robinson, Grace Ridings, Dreama

Hawkins, and Hillary Smith as Court Appointed Special

Advocates for CASA for Kids, Inc.

Speedway Children’s Charities Night of Smiles

Bristol Motor Speedway

Executive Director, Mary Kilpatrick, at Bristol Motor Speedway's Night of Smiles.

CASA for Kids, Inc. is so thankful for Speedway's Children's Charities and their generous

funding.

United Way of Greater Kingsport Campaign

Celebration Presentation

CASA Ambassador, Jo Gragg, was invited by the United Way of Greater Kingsport to speak their Campaign Celebration about her family and how they benefited

from CASA for Kids, Inc.

February 13, 2016 – Meadowview Convention Center

The Red Shoe Gala is CASA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Guests were treated to an

elegant atmosphere, delectable dinner of Filet Mignon and Shrimp, Red Shoe Contest, Silent

and Live Auction, and live entertainment by The Extraordinaires.

CASA for Kids, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Advocacy

for the children of Sullivan and Hawkins Counties

14th Annual CASA Golf Classic

Monday, May 16th 2016 – Ridgefields Country Club

Ridgefields Country Club hosted the 14th Annual CASA Golf Classic on Monday, May 16th,

2016. Subway provided lunch before a 12:30pm shotgun start. Golfers enjoyed a round of

golf with perfect weather on a beautiful golf course. After play concluded, golfers were

treated to a wonderful dinner provided by Bare Bones BBQ and followed by an awards

ceremony with many great prizes.

10th Annual CASA Road Race

The 10th Annual CASA Road Race was held on June 4th, 2016 at Crockett Spring Park in

Rogersville Tennessee. The day began with an 8K road race around historic downtown

Rogersville and was followed by a Kids Mile and Open Mile all with on certified course.

After the races, participants were treated to a BBQ lunch before ending with the awards

ceremony and numerous door prizes.

United Way Day of Caring

June 2016

A group of 16 volunteers from Domtar worked all

day at CASA Headquarters for the United Way of

Greater Kingsport Day of Caring. Volunteers

cleaned the office, painted outside doors and

windows, and removed a wall in an entry way.

CASA for Kids, Inc. Leadership

2015-2016

Supporting CASA’s Mission – Our Board of Directors & Advisors

Steve Addlestone –President-Elect, Angela Baker, Wes Boggs, Becky Britton, Bonnie Burton-

Treasurer, Candy Crigger, Hayley Dietrich, Ryon Grubbs - Past President, Tracey Harmon,

Jennifer Harville, Barbara Haun – President, Rick Jennings, Emilie Park, Don Perry, Adam Tate,

Debbie Waggoner, and Priscilla Ward-Secretary

Jeff Bedford, Marty Beets, Dr. Chris Calendine, George Coleman, Dan Coughlin, Gina Dessauer,

Andy Dietrich, Carole Fuller, Brenda Fincher, Selina Hall, Vickie Kilgore, Ronan King, John

O'Dell, Dr. Kitty Palmer, Sindy Ramsey, John Sanders, Candace Sass, Mary Lynn Satterwhite,

Mark Skelton, Connie Steere, Deborah Todd, and Jo Zimmerman

Overseeing CASA’s Mission – Our Staff

Mary L. Kilpatrick, Executive Director; Missy Sturgill, Assistant Director; Robin Barhydt, Bristol

Volunteer Coordinator; Russ Carlton, Hawkins Co. Volunteer Coordinator; Shannon Kern, Sullivan

Co. Program Coordinator; Lisa Reece, Kingsport Volunteer Coordinator; Suzanne Stanley, Hawkins

Co. Program Coordinator

Fulfilling CASA’s Mission – Our CASA volunteers

Terry Allerton, Jennifer Armstrong, Danielle Beckner, Kathy Bernal, Maria Bigliardi, Kacie

Breeding, Mike Brents, Emily & George Calfisch, Nita Carnes, Stephanie Castle, Callie Clark,

Linda Coleman, Jessica Cope, Deborah DeBraal, Delores Denny, Sis Dickenson, Barbara Diers,

Ben Dobson, Sally Dodson, Cathy Dunn, Lisa Durlock, Evelyn Edwards, Amanda Everett, Becky

Ferrell, Glenna Gilliam, Gay Grabeel, Teresa Greer, Dreama Hawkins, Norma Henderson,

Heather Hughes, Pat Hughes, Donna Johnson, Helen Kern, Keltie Kerney, Amber Kitchens,

Regenia Koger, Betty Lamb, Nancy Lemieux, Teresa Lietzke , Mark Linkous, Theresa Lockhart,

Nancy Lukach, Jean Lusardi, Jeff Luster, Rita San Martin, Laura Maxwell, Cheryl McLaughlin,

Megan McCoy, Karen McSharry, Robin Minga, Lisa Mitchell, Judy Mooney, Heather Moore,

Charlene Murphy, Glenda New, Terry Oldfield, Joey Ondrak, Ginger Osborne, Retta Overturf,

Terry Lee Owens, Amy Palmer, Diann Patterson, Robbie Peppers, Regina Perkins, Drenda

Phillips, Terrie Phillips, Pat Pope, Aaron Ramsey, Grace Ridings, Rhonda Rivette, Diane

Robinson, Dianne Scott, Marcia Shaver, Dottie Slaughter, Hillary Smith, Lawrence Smith, Brenda

Spears, Kay Stout, Mary Beth Strickler, Shamekia Thompson-White, Carolyn Tichenor, Quenton

Tubb, Laurie Vacanti, Michelle Walker, Johanne Watson, Susan Whitlow, Amy B. Williams, and

Kristie Woods

A big Thank You to our CASA for Kids, Inc.

Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Staff,

Sponsors, & Donors who answer the call and

step up every year to ensure we can advocate

for more children in Sullivan and Hawkins Co.