Annually, as many as 250 local children are thrust into the county foster care system because of parental abuse, neglect or abandonment. Last year CASA board members and administrators launched a campaign to raise funds for the purchase of a suitable home-like work space, so as to move out of cramped office quarters in the old Watsonville Hospital.
The goal was to find a space that could serve not only as new office quarters but as a warm and welcoming place where advocates could visit with their children and share a fun project, do homework or make treats in the kitchen.
The Mary and Richard Solari House Named After Benefactors
In the spring of ’09 the organization was successful in purchasing a house on Freedom Boulevard in Watsonville at foreclosure auction. The home was named in honor of the generosity and financial assistance of the Richard and Mary Solari Charitable Trust.
CASA’s New Home Serves Multiple Purposes
The new home will also be a space for community outreach, training and case supervision. It can become a space for much-needed new programs and children’s services and it will assure a secure tenancy with known costs.
Local Group of Professional Volunteers Donate Expertise, Time and Labor
Fund raising efforts are ongoing, with pledges from community members accounting for a large portion of the $1.5 million goal. About $200.000 is still needed to fully complete the project, which includes zoning and permits, renovations and paying off the mortgage.
Community volunteers who have already come forward to help with renovations are Jerry Angelo, engineer, Teall Messer, architect and Jeff Talmadge, contractor. Others include Charlene Ebey, interior design, Janet Pollock, landscape architect, Duane Smith, engineer and Susan Williams, interior design consultant.
Every Saturday a band of enthusiastic volunteers arrive with safety goggles and hammers to tackle their assignments. Sub-contractors are used during the week.
More Volunteers Needed for Renovations
CASA still needs general volunteers for demolition, clean-up, painting and those with skills in carpentry, plumbing, and wiring. Anyone interested in volunteering to help can send a request for more information.
Monetary Donations Needed to Make CASA Home a Reality
One volunteer advocate recently remarked, “I cannot wait to make cookies at the house with my CASA child!” Persons interested in helping to make this dream a reality by learning about recognition and naming opportunities may contact CASA Executive Director Nancy Sherrod.
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