Board Member Spotlight Shines on... The Erica Hughes

This month’s board member spotlight is ERICA HUGHES. Even though Erica has been with us only a short amount of time, she has jumped in with both feet, broken the surface and hasn’t looked back yet. She is a true champion for CASA. Even before Erica was voted onto the board she stepped up to help with decorating for the CASA Volunteer Banquet. She helped with our annual golf tournament, she decorated for National Adoption Day and even had time to make sandwiches. She pitched a proposal to her fellow Employees at Sysco Foods to help sponsor CASA. Sysco not only collected Christmas toys for our CASA kids and other foster children, but after January they are going to collect spare change from employees until June when they

will spend that spare change to buy needed school supplies for our annual school supply drive. Erica has brought a lot of energy and knowledge to our board. She has two daughters that she raises and is active in their school and their PTA’s. Erica has a unique bond with CASA because of her childhood and truly knows why we advocate for these children. She lives what she preaches and preaches CASA to everyone she comes in contact with. We are happy to have her as a part of Pulaski County CASA and I know we all look forward to working with her for years to come.

January 2010 CASA Reflections

American Legion Post #74 Local post delivers Christmas to children of Pulaski County CASA

Plastic bags exploding with hundreds of toys were recently donated to the foster children of Pulaski County CASA by American Legion Post #74. With the help of Toys for Tots, American legion Post #74 was able to supply the organization with enough toys for each child being served by a CASA. These toys will bring Christmas to children in the foster care system that would not have one otherwise. In an effort to provide other nonprofit organizations with the means to educate

the public about the special needs of children across this nation, American Legion Post #74’s partnership with CASA is vital.

Thanks to American Legion Post #74, hundreds of foster children had something to look forward to on Christmas morning.

December CASA Reflections

Newest CASA Staff Britney Carter

I was born in Phoenix, AZ. My father served in the military

while I was growing up, so my family traveled a lot. I have

lived in San Diego, Guam, Chicago, and now Arkansas. I

graduated from North Little Rock High Shcool in 2007. I

then moved to Magnolia, AR an attended Southern Arkansas

Univeristy with the mindset that I was going to get a degree

in Psychology. That quickly changed to Political Science, but

that didn’t catch my interest so when I transfered to UALR

last semester I switched my major yet again to Criminal

Justice and a minor in Psychology. While attending SAU

in Magnolia, during the Spring semester of 2008, I pledged

Alpha Sigma Alpha. It was tough but well worth it. I love my

sorority and what it stands for. After I get my degree from

UALR I hope to attend law school and become an attorney.

Here at Pulaski County CASA, I have been given the title

of Community Outreach Assistant. I will be working with

the AmeriCorps VISTA’s to find more community supports

and business partnerships to expand some of the programs

that they have, such as the CASA closet, birthday boxes and

school supplies. I am really excited about this opportunity

and am looking forward to making my lasting contribution in

the lives of foster children in our community.

December’s Advocate of the Month

Congratulations to

Samantha Steinbeck

December’s Advocate of the Month

Samantha Steinbeck has only been a CASA Advocate since 2008, but has already made a huge impact on the lives of two families. She recently took on a large, complicated case involving six children, one of whom is a minor mother with a child of her own, and also manages to spread the word about CASA in her community and church. Samantha is an Advocate who truly believes in the mission of CASA.

Suzanne Lumpkin, a parent counsel in the 11th Division, recently asked Judge Gilbert on the record to commend Samantha’s work on a case. Ms. Lumpkin praised Samantha’s determination, and told the Judge that at a recent staffing, Samantha had medical and grade reports for the children that no one else had seen. Judge Gilbert stated on the record how

impressed she was with Ms. Steinbeck, and how CASA had provided vital information to the court.

Samantha manages to squeeze her CASA and faith-based advocacy work into her schedule while still being an active mother to daughters Reilly and Taylor. Her husband, Mike, can often be seen attending and helping at CASA events such as the pedal car races as well. Samantha is providing an outstanding example of service and compassion to her family. We’ve named Samantha Steinbeck as Advocate of the Month for her diligence and commitment to improving the lives of

foster children, and for her unwavering support to CASA. Please take a moment to congratulate Samantha the next time you see her in the CASA office or at an event – we’re certain she’ll be there!

Looking for Business Support

We have recently purchased posters advertising our program and we are lookin for local business who would be willing to put up one of our posters in their offices. It is that simple to support out great program and help us spread the word of CASA to our community.

If you are interested in helping contact me at 501-416-0678 or by email at m.rogers.CASA@gmail.com

Thank you for you continued support.