Press Release:

Close to 80 guests gathered at Terry Hills Banquet Facility on Saturday, Sept. 30 for the 11th Annual CASAblanca Casino Fundraiser put on by the Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Children. 

"It was wonderful to see so many people come out to support such an important cause. The evening was filled with laughter, basket raffles, a silent auction, and Las Vegas-style casino games provided by Upstate Vegas Events out of Rochester NY." Said Jennifer Metz, Executive Director of Genesee County CASA. 

There was a special guest speaker who was very familiar with the work that Genesee County CASA for Children does. Her name is Madi Coniglio and she spoke about her experience with CASA and how CASA helped to change the trajectory of her life.

“When I first started with CASA my hope and stability returned. My voice was heard, and I was listened to for once. In a Life full of doubt, I knew I never needed to doubt CASA’s ability to make sure I would be safe and loved.” Madi stated.

Pamela Wentworth, Board of Director Member and Volunteer Advocate, and the Honorable Thomas Williams, Genesee County Family Court Judge, also shared a few words with the crowd on Saturday.

“The guests had a great time playing games, enjoying the delicious meal catered by the wonderful staff at Terry Hills, and socializing with each other. I'm sure it was a night to remember for everyone who attended. The event was a huge success, and those funds will go to support the important work of CASA for Children throughout the community. Overall, it was a fantastic evening for a great cause, and everyone left smiling,” said Metz. 

“We are extremely grateful for the support of our sponsors, who make our work possible. It is thanks to their generosity that we can make a difference in our community.” Metz continued. 

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our "Ricks Café" sponsor, West Middlebury Baptist Church, as well as our King-level sponsors, Empire Building Diagnostics and Liberty Pumps. We also want to thank our Queen-level sponsors, including Upstate Niagara Cooperative - OATKA, Batavia Downs and Gaming, Terry Hills Golf Course & Banquet Facility, Western Regional Off Track Betting Corp, and Main Street Pizza Company. Finally, we would like to acknowledge our Jack-level sponsors: Tompkins Community Bank, Craig and Kimberly Yunker, Dr. Robert Marchese, Lawley Insurance, Batavia Legal Printing, and Torrey Farms, INC. Thank you all for your incredible support! We would also like to thank Ken Barrett Chevrolet-Cadillac, Genesee Feeds, The Torrey Foundation in memory of Jordyn, Jennifer L. Kapela Froebel DDS, Becker Farms, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo Bisons, Genesee Country Village & Museum, Zeliff Aviation, Strong Museum of Science, and the many area businesses that graciously provided beautiful gift baskets, gift certificates, and silent auction items for this year's event. We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community.” 

Genesee County CASA is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to train and supervise a diverse group of volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected.  The family court system appoints cases to CASA and we then assign them to our volunteer advocates.

The children appointed to us are at risk of being removed from their homes or they have already been placed into the foster care system. CASA's goal is to ensure that all of these children have safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. A child who has a CASA advocate has significantly fewer placements than a child without one. The involvement of a CASA advocate helps to improve the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of the child.

“We are always recruiting new advocates,” said Metz. 

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or would like more information about the program, please contact Executive Director Jennifer Metz at 585-815-7809 or send an email to director@geneseecountycasa.org. 

Genesee County CASA for Children is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the abused and neglected children of Genesee County. 

Tully’s will donate 10 percent of the sales from all receipts collected and accompanied by this coupon, excluding tax and tip. A printed coupon must be surrendered in order for the above organization/group to receive credit.

Coupons can be used throughout the day until close that evening. Coupons can be used for dine-in and take-out orders.

Tully's restaurant is located at 522 E. Main St. in Batavia. The hours on June 15 are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Please contact us at director@geneseecountycasa.org or 585-815-7809 for printable coupons!

Brittany Bozzer MSW, Executive Director, Genesee County CASA for Children

1 W. Main St., Batavia, NY 14020

What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. These volunteers are ordinary people, from all walks of life, who share a common interest in helping our county’s most vulnerable children . . . the abused and neglected. After you complete the training process you are sworn in by the Family Court Judge and are appointed to watch over and advocate for the children on your assigned case. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

Genesee County CASA for Children will host a Royal Tea Party on Saturday Aug. 20^th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Genesee County Senior Center, 2 Bank St. in Batavia.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet, take pictures and receive autographs from Queen Elsa, Princess Belle and Princess Ariel. Tea and light refreshments will be served and guests will be able to decorate their very own crowns! A performance by Queen Elsa herself will take place at 2 o'clock.

Tickets cost $10 per person and can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Genesee County CASA for Children at 585-815-7809.

All proceeds benefit Genesee County CASA for Children, a nonprofit agency that works to advocate for the abused and neglected children in our community.

The fun starts are 6:30 p.m. at the Terry Hills Banquet Facility, located at 5122 Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Tickets are $75 per person or $125 per couple and can be purchased at the door or at the CASA for Children office. It is located in the Genesee County Courts Facility Bldg., 1 W. Main St., Batavia. Hours there are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Price includes $500 in casino chips, foodm beer, wine and $10 free play at Batavia Downs Casino. Cash in your "winnings" for tickets in the Chinese auction and a chance to win valuable prizes.

The event is sponsored by Main St. Pizza Company, Batavia Downs Gaming, Terry Hills and CASA for Children.

It starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $50 per person, and that includes $500 in Casino chips, food, beer, wine and $10 in free play at Batavia Downs Casino. Cash in "winnings" for tickets to Chinese auctions and a chance to win valuable prizes.

To purchase tickets or to sponsor this event visit:

CASAblanca.geneseecountycasa.org

In addition to Terry Hills and Batavia Downs Casino, sponsors include Ameriprise Financial Woodward & Associates, and National Fuel.

A $2,500 grant that provides extracurricular activities for abused and neglected youngsters has been given to GC CASA for Children for the second year in a row.

The donation announcement was made this afternoon. The Kelly for Kids Foundation presented the check to CASA for Children Executive Director Ashley Hausfelder last month.

Genesee County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization that trains members of the community to become volunteers who advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children that come before the attention of family court.

“While advocating for these children’s most basic needs, CASA volunteers have quickly found that these children need so much more than that," Hausfelder said. "These children all lack self-esteem and a feeling of belonging. Some have not known where their next meal would be coming from and quickly had to learn how to be a parent to their younger siblings. Genesee County CASA would like to give these children a chance to be kids, a chance to feel like they belong in this world and a chance to feel pride."

Last year was a successful one for the children who received services from CASA because of the Kelly for Kids Foundation grant.

“In 2014, our program was able to provide family memberships to the YMCA, karate lessons, dance classes, soccer camp expenses, a trumpet for a child to play in his school band, as well as the purchase of swimming lessons, etc.," Hausfelder said. "Thankfully, in 2015, we will be able to do the same, if not more."

For more information about the Court Appointed Special Advocate program or to become a volunteer you can visit the Web site at www.geneseecountycasa.org <http://www.geneseecountycasa.org/> or contact Ashley Hausfelder, executive director, by phone at (585)-815-7809.

This is also a great opportunity to purchase a Backpack, Cinch Sac, Thermal Tote, or other item that can be donated to an abused child served by CASA for Children. To have an item donated, please email tpariso24@yahoo.com & to inform consultantw what item you would like donated. Please share this opportunity to support a great organization with family and friends. Ordering can be done from today (8/10/12) until Sunday 8/26/12.

For more information on CASA for Children, visit www.geneseecountycasa.org

This event is to raise awareness that every day in Genesee County there are an average of 65-75 children in foster care.  These are children that need the support of their community in order to overcome adversity and grow to be happy, healthy adults.  CASA volunteers advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in Family Court.  A child that has a CASA volunteer is less likely to remain in foster care long-term and is less likely to reenter the system.  By providing a child in need with a CASA volunteer, that child is provided a mentor, an advocate, and a voice.

Please visit www.geneseecountycasa.org under the What We're Doing tab to find walk registration forms and information on how you can help a child in need.  The 1st 50 registered walkers will receive a free T-shirt (supplies are limited) and there will be prizes and recognition at the end of the walk.  Registration begins at 9:15am and the walk begins at 10am. 

Thank you to all sponsors that made this event possible: Wegmans, Terry Hills, Lucky Ducky Day Care, Liberty Pumps, Target, Tops, BJ's, Pauly's Pizzeria, WBTA, Genesee Valley Penny Saver, the Daily News, P. W. Minor, Alex's Place, ESL Federal Credit Union, M & T Bank, Five Star Bank, Freed Maxick & Battaglia, PC.

CASA has teamed up with PartyLite to raise much needed funds to continue advocating for abused and neglected children in Genesee County. Due to budget cuts, we are in need of your support now more than ever!!

Please consider purchasing candles from the fundraiser flyer which can be veiwed at http://www.partylite.biz/sites/heidirichmond/fundraisers-products. 

You can place your order by emailing Executive Director Tara Pariso at tpariso24@yahoo.com, or by calling  at (585) 813-3987. Please send checks made payable to CASA at 1 West Main St. Batavia, NY 14020.

We are super excited about this fundraiser as we get 50% of the total sales!!!  There is no shipping costs or tax on any items ordered!!!  Please pass this along to help support CASA for Children and the work done to find abused and neglected children safe, permanent homes!!!

Let's help light the light of hope for children in need.

Orders and payment must be received by Friday April 29, 2011.

To show your support, come out and enjoy great food at Applebee's in Batavia on May 12th.  A voucher is needed in order for funds to be donated to CASA.  The voucher can be located and printed at :  www.co.genesee.ny.us. Click on the CASA link and scroll to the bottom where you'll see Abblebee's Voucher link.  For more info or to learn how you can become a CASA volunteer, contact Tara Pariso at (585) 344-2550 ext. 2331 or tpariso@co.genesee.ny.us.