COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – February 10, 2015 – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Pikes Peak Region received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to expand advocacy programs for abused and neglected children in El Paso County. Specifically, this grant will support the third phase of CASA’s capacity-building volunteer management initiative called the Peer Coordinator Model.
Launched in 2012, the Peer Coordinator Model is helping CASA serve more children without the expense of hiring several paid staff members. The Model provides experienced long-term volunteers known as Peer Coordinators (PCs) to support the newly trained advocates, adding another level of volunteer leadership to the organization. PCs take on the role of coach and mentor to the new volunteer advocates, while staff members support the Peer Coordinators. The objective is to double the volunteer base over the next six years in order to provide services to additional children.
“By the year 2020 we believe we will be able to serve all children in need of advocacy in our court system rather than the 50% we serve today,” said Trudy Strewler Hodges, CASA Executive Director. “This generous investment from Walmart will help us reach our goal.”
“Organizations like CASA make it their responsibility to create a positive impact in the communities they serve,” said Lee DeVille, Walmart regional general manager. “We are proud to partner with CASA to be able to provide assistance to continue to expand their advocacy program for abused and neglected children in El Paso County. Together we are creating opportunities so people can live better one community at a time.”
The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better, awarding grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.
To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
About CASA
CASA of the Pikes Peak
Region is a nonprofit organization that trains and supervises volunteers to
represent the best interests of victims of child abuse, neglect, and severe
domestic conflict. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for
these children in court and in the community. The desired result is that
children be placed in safe, loving homes where they can thrive.
About Philanthropy at
Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are
committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts that draw
on the strengths of Walmart in the arenas of sustainability, economic
opportunity, and community. As part of our commitment to creating a more
sustainable food system worldwide, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading
the fight against hunger in the United States. They recently exceeded a $2
billion goal to fight hunger one year ahead of schedule and have donated more
than 1.5 billion pounds of food to those in need across the country. To learn
more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.
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