Join CASA Kane County in raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
In April, CASA Kane County is extending an invitation to the community to participate in raising awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. There will be many opportunities for involvement throughout the month, with initiatives for everyone to participate and get involved.
Join in advancing the mission of CASA Kane County, advocating for the voice of children in foster care.
CASA Kane County is a guardian ad litem, nonprofit volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of children in abuse and/or neglect cases within the juvenile court system. Relied upon by judges and most importantly, the children, CASAs are among the most respected volunteers and advocates in the community.
There are various avenues for participation to help raise awareness for child abuse prevention throughout the month, and here are some suggestions:
1. ATTEND A CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION EVENT:
• CASA Kane County’s annual “Hands Around The Court House” event on Thursday, April 4, at noon. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to participate. This event is community call to action reminder that everyone is responsible to protect the children in our community. Join H.A.T.C.H. at the historic Kane County courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in Geneva.
It will feature guest speakers: Honorable Chief Judge Robert Villa, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser, and Jim Di Ciaula, executive director of CASA Kane County
Individuals interested in learning more about becoming an advocate are invited to stay for an informational meeting after the event.
• Attend a volunteer general informational meeting.
Learn more about the CASA/GAL Volunteer program. Volunteers come from every walk of life and share a commitment to improving children’s lives.
• Ready to find out if CASA is right for you?
• Have questions about a CASA/GAL’s role in a child’s life?
• Learn more on how you can be the one caring and consistent adult making a difference in a child’s life!
A virtual volunteer information meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 2. The one-hour live virtual information meeting is hosted by Sandie Cross, director of education.
An in-person volunteer information open house will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 4, after HATCH.
Email Sandie for more information at sandiec@casakanecounty.org
2. PLACE A CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS YARD SIGN:
Help spread awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month by placing yard signs throughout the county. Signs can be placed at your home, business or anywhere you have obtained permission. Email Rose if you need one and to schedule pickup: rosed@casakanecounty.org
Share a photo with CASA Kane County featuring either yourself alongside the yard sign or just the yard sign itself to participate in a raffle for a gift card! Connect with CASA Kane County on social media, DM them, or send your pictures to Mandy at amandas@casakanecounty.org by Friday, April 26, for a chance to win and get showcased.
Note: These images will be used in social media posts, thus we kindly ask for your permission to use them in this manner. Yard signs can be displayed at your residence, businesses with consent, or any other authorized location.
3. SUPPORT LOCAL GIVE-BACK FUNDRAISERS:
Mark your calendars for April “Sips & Bites” for CASA! Starting Wednesday, April 3, you can support by ordering a meal or drink at one of the participating restaurants who are hosting fundraisers! These are spread at different locations throughout Kane County at locations listed.
Dine in or take out, make sure to mention CASA Kane County, show the flyer or use the online ordering codes listed below.
The more people who participate in these food fundraisers the more money raised to support the children and bring awareness to April being #NationalChildAbusePreventionMonth!
• Wednesday, April 3, from 4 to 10 p.m. at Lou Malnati’s (locations below); 20% donated; online ordering code: GPFUND24
Aurora: 1720 S. Orchard Road, Aurora, grouprai.se/s276189
Carpentersville: 2279 Randall Road, Carpentersville, grouprai.se/s276187
Geneva: 1048 Commons Drive, Geneva, grouprai.se/s275877
• Thursday, April 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Portillo’s, 1020 S. Randall Road, Elgin; 20% donated; online ordering code: PORTILLOS33
• Wednesday, April 17, from noon to 6 p.m. at Raising Cane’s, 1998 McKee St., Batavia; 15% donated
• Monday, April 22, from 4 to 11 p.m. at Alter Brewing + Kitchen, 12 S. First St., St. Charles; $1 from every drink is donated
• Saturday, April 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Chipotle, 2902 Kirk Road, Suite 100, Aurora; 33% donated; online ordering code: Y342QZA
• Tuesday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Preservation, 513 S. Third St., Geneva, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Atlas Chicken Shack, 511 S. Third St., Geneva; 15% donated; online ordering code: SHARE TODAY
4. PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE THIRD-PARTY APRIL FUNDRAISERS:
J. McLaughlin’s “Shop & Celebrate Spring — CASA Kane County” fundraiser
Join on Thursday, April 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. following CASA’s “Hands Around the Court House” event. Stop in at 29 S. Third St. in Geneva for coffee, cookies and shopping. Fifteen percent of sales will be donated to CASA Kane County, support while you shop!
Purchase a “Guiding Light” CASA Signature Candle to Support
We are excited to share that the CASA team has created its very own scented candle named Guiding Light for sale in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month!
CASA candles, along with 4 other popular Inluro scents, can be purchased for $16 at: www.inluro.com/collections/casakanecounty, effective April 1-19. This is a limited time fundraiser for only three weeks and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! In addition to shipping, Inluro will host a one-day pickup on Monday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at their store location: 211 W. State St. in Geneva.
Proceeds from this candle fundraiser will directly support providing a CASA/GAL volunteer — a Guiding Light — for a child in foster care so they don’t have to navigate the darkness alone.
Let’s light a spark they can’t put out to “Change a Child’s Story!”
“Coffee 4 CASA”
To raise awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month, we asked coffee shops throughout Kane County to partner with us and distribute coffee sleeves throughout the month of April.
Thank you to all the coffee shops that are working with us to shine light on the growing number of children in care in our community.
1. Arcedium Coffeehouse: 60 Indiana St., St. Charles
2. Biggby Coffee: 902 S. Randall Road, St. Charles
3. Blue Box Café: 176 E. Chicago St., Elgin
4. Brown Butter: 311 N. Second St., St. Charles
5. Corner Grind Coffee: 2 S. Main St., Elburn
6. Coroco Coffee: 101 S. First St., St. Charles
7. Eastside Café — Coffee & Wine Bar: 316 N. River St., East Dundee
8. Elder + Oat: 124 W. Main St., West Dundee
9. Flyleaf Bakery Café: 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia
10. Graham’s 318 Coffeehouse: 318 S. Third St., Geneva
11. Hampshire Social: 124 S. State St., Hampshire
12. Limestone Coffee & Tea: 8 W. Wilson St., Batavia
13. Luau Coffee: 40W450 Route 64, St. Charles/Wasco
14. Maple Leaf Roasters Coffee House: 1 Illinois St., St. Charles
15. MOKA Coffee: 24 S. Lincolnway St., North Aurora
16. MOKA Coffee: 132 Independence Drive, Batavia
17. Society 57: 100 S. River St., Aurora
18. Sugar & Rhyme: 203 E. Chicago St., Elgin
19. Viator Coffee Co: 51 Grove Ave., Elgin
Support these local coffee shops! Tag us in a photo of your recent coffee purchase and use hashtag #Coffee4CASAKC or Tag CASA Kane County’s Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn pages to be featured on our social media & entered in for a giveaway at the end of the month.
‘Coffee with CASA’ to learn about volunteering
Join CASA Kane County and learn more about the mission of CASA Kane County and the increasing service to the children in Kane County. Come discover more about the CASA/GAL volunteer opportunity and enjoy a “Coffee on CASA!”
• Sunday, April 14, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Limestone Coffee & Tea in Batavia
• Thursday, April 18, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Hampshire Social in Hampshire
• Monday, April 29, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Society 57 in Aurora
5. PLAN AND HOST A CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ACTIVITY:
Help CASA Kane County spread awareness of our mission with more people and potentially find more volunteers, and donors. Use groups you are involved and connected with, using your circle of influence we can reach more people. This could be a “Party for a Purpose,” informational meeting at your place of work or sharing information about CASA Kane County to your church group or book club.
Find ways to involve schools, parent-teacher organizations, faith communities, businesses, hospitals, museums, libraries, and others in hosting activities, fundraisers and collecting donations for the children who are in the CASA Kane County program.
CASA Kane County is a nonprofit organization that trains and supervises Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Last year, the more than 200 CASA volunteers served over 663 children throughout Kane County. For more information, visit casakanecounty.org.