Chicago, IL (Top40 Charts/ CASA) The
National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association will host its 30th annual conference, "Building Hope for Youth," from March 19-22, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Commissioner Mary
Ellen Caron, Ph.D., for the
Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, will provide an official welcome to the attendees. Famous country recording artist and foster care advocate
Jimmy Wayne will give the keynote address.
Each year, more than 1,500 CASA staff, board members, volunteers, judges, attorneys and other child welfare professionals from across the country gather to connect with peers and learn from leaders in the field. Conference attendees learn from top-notch faculty leading more than 60 workshops and institutes, attend inspiring general session panels, network with like-minded volunteers and professionals, and take advantage of an exhibit hall filled with useful resources.
"For many abused and neglected children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives," said Commissioner Caron. "The resources and training offered at this year's conference will provide the tools necessary to help foster the personal development and provide the much-needed positive influence every young person needs to stay on track."
The conference aims to strengthen volunteer voices by enabling them to build skills and acquire tools that will enhance their ability to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. It also helps conference attendees explore practices that enable them to better serve all children in their communities and continue the journey towards cultural competency. Those who attend also develop essential leadership skills and fortify their commitment by engaging with peers and presenters.
"We are thrilled and honored to have both Jimmy Wayne and Commissioner Caron joining CASA for our annual conference in Chicago this year," said Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association. "We greatly appreciate their tireless efforts to give a voice to and help the children in our foster care system. Their work is an inspiration to all of us."
As an alum of the foster care system, country music artist Jimmy Wayne gives tirelessly of his time to support older youth in the child welfare system. He spent seven months of 2010 on the road to raise awareness for homeless youth and children in care. Wayne walked more than 1,700 miles from Nashville to Phoenix, talking with supporters, the media and lawmakers along the way. His "Meet Me Halfway" campaign was profiled on television, in newspapers and magazines nationwide, including USA Today, Ladies Home Journal, and People magazine.
For more information about the conference, please contact Tim Smith at [email protected], or visit https://www.casaforchildren.org to view the conference program.
