SMETHPORT — CASA of McKean County held an open house Wednesday to show the community its new office space at 201 W. Main St.
CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — moved into the building July 1. Photographs of the first five classes of advocates line one wall of the new facility. The sixth class of volunteers start training on Sept. 21.
Executive Director Kristin Tim’s “really taken the program a long way in three years,” said Jessica London on Wednesday.
London, who started July 19 as the full-time advocate supervisor, is the newest face in the organization. For her, this is an exciting time to be joining the organization.
She was on hand manning a table in front of the new location — just a short walk from the courthouse, she noted.
Tim explained that when the program began three years ago, she started with a 60-square-foot office in the planning building on U.S. Route 6. The county found a way for her to have an office at the courthouse — but Bell’s office remained in the planning building a mile away.
Tim said the new site will be more comfortable — with Tim and London able to have offices at the same location. Also, the space will be sufficient to hold classes for new volunteers, as well as to hold monthly training sessions for the current volunteers.
“Our volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of in-service training per year,” she said, in addition to 30 hours of initial training before they begin.
Other agencies are often invited to provide information during monthly training such as Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Beacon Light, The Guidance Center and Independent Living.
London noted that she will be learning to be advocate right alongside the next class of volunteers this fall.
Tim said residents are still welcome to sign up for the class.
“It’s never too late to contact us, even the day of the training,” she said, while noting potential volunteers will have to schedule an interview.
CASA particularly needs male volunteers, as there are many boys in the community who could use a male role model.
The new advocates will be sworn in by President Judge John Pavlock during a ceremony Dec. 1.
London has several years of experience working in human services, Tim said.
“For the last 10 years, Jessica has provided early intervention case management services for both Clearfield-Jefferson and McKean counties, advocating for children with developmental delays, disabilities and medical diagnoses,” Tim said. “Prior to that, Jessica was a family service worker for Jefferson-Clarion Head Start, providing case management and social services to over 50 families.”
London has also worked as a caseworker for Chester County Children Youth and Families.
Former part-time advocate supervisor Amy Bell, who left the position July 13, will continue to serve as a volunteer.
“Sworn in as a CASA with the spring 2016 class, Amy has been advocating for three children, in two separate cases,” stated an announcement about her move. “While working as a partner in our child welfare system towards a goal of permanency for the children, Amy has also been recognized for her mentorship as a result of her consistent support and advocacy.”
As for funding, CASA has received donations from a number of sources including individuals, service organizations, corporations and foundations.
The organization does not, however, receive any county or state funding, Tim said.
“We are completely dependent on the philanthropic supporters that we have,” said Bob Esch, chairman of the CASA board.
To fund the move, “Basically, we took the leap this year to incorporate facilities expenses into our budget,” said Tim. “It was just time to make that leap.”
Tim said there have been two major fundraiser in recent months, too.
This included “Operation Playhouse,” in which chances were sold for two wooden outdoor playhouses constructed by students at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center in Port Allegany and Bradford Area High School’s Technical Center, as well the Superhero 5K Walk/Run and Kids Fun Run, held in conjunction with the annual Kids Fest in Bradford.
And while they were on the topic on superheroes, Esch noted, “This organization has a lot of heroes supporting it.”
The organization is the product of a Leadership McKean product from 2013, noted Esch.
“We would not be here without that initiative,” Tim added. She noted that the local CASA group’s first fiscal year was 2014-15, and it finished its third fiscal year in June.
CASA can be reached at 568-2170 or casa@mckeancountypa.org.
