Christmastime at NVCSS - Northern Valley Catholic Social Service

Butte & GlennCountiesNVCSS Butte & Glenn Main Office, 10 Independence Cir, Chico, CA 95973-0210 • (530) 345-1600 • (800) 339-8336Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) ProgramHistory & Overview of the CASA Program (CASA website)In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained communityvolunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglectedchildren in court. So successful was this program that soon judges acrossthe country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congressencouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victimsof Child Abuse Act.Today, CASA has grown to a network of more than 50,000 volunteersthat serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ localprogram offices nationwide. Advocates, also known as volunteerguardians ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed members of thecourt. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.NVCSS will Construct AffordableHousing for People with MentalIllness in Butte CountyThe U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development recentlyawarded NVCSS a $1,329,500 Section 811 fund reservation toconstruct a ten unit apartment complex for persons with persistentmental illness. The City of Chico has again provided criticalsupport to NVCSS by approving $900,000 for land acquisition anddevelopment costs associated with the project. This is part of theCity Council’s continuing commitment to developing affordablehousing in Chico. The complex will be conveniently locatedon Rio Lindo Avenue just blocks from mental health services.Butte County Department of Behavioral Health has committedto supporting tenants by ensuring the availability of supportiveservices.Jarvis Gardens to CelebrateOpen HouseThe Jarvis Gardens Open House is scheduled forThursday, January 17, 2008 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.2001 Notre Dame Boulevard, Chico , CA 95928For more information, contact Bob Michelsat the Butte County Office530.345.1600A Letter from a CASA child:“Joe” has been assigned to Susan since October, 2001. Whenher sister was adopted and she was not, Susan, understandably,suffered anger and depression. Her resulting behaviors causedmany changes of placement. This did not provide the stableenvironment she needed to be able to address her problems sothat she could grow up to be a happy, successful young woman.Joe followed her and kept in contact with her through it all. Heworked closely with the social worker to assure that Susan got theservices she needed. She is now with a great family who seem toknow how to work with distressed young girls. “Joe” cannot seeher as regularly as he used to but keeps in contact by phone andletters.To: My FriendFrom: A FriendHi Joe,How are you? I haven’t heard from you for a while till now that I gotyour nice letter.I just wanted you to know how thankful I am and was to have youas my CASA worker. I realize that all those times you visited me ortalked with me over the phone, I was always rude or selfish in someway and I’m so sorry.And now that I actually think about it, you were more than my CASAworker, you were “My Friend” and always will be. I’m so thankful forhaving you in my life. It’s too bad I never took the time to realize thatbefore. I would love to spend time with you whenever you have achance. You taught me so much!Thank you. You just made me realize how immature, rude, selfishand stupid I am for not appreciating everything you have done forme.You have no idea how great I feel right now that you are still willingto contact me after how I have treated you.You are a sweet, loving man!And I love you for that!XOXOXOXOXOLove Always,SusanPage 6 • Winter 2007