Summer Wines Party 2019

Summer Wines 2019 was held August 24th on the Volunteer Princess Cruise Yacht. Guests enjoyed a leisurely cruise while enjoying refreshing wines, chosen especially for their summer appeal, and snacking on food provided by Rothchild Catering. Thanks to all our sponsors, attendees, and door prize donors for helping to make Summer Wines a success!

The Volunteer Princess Cruise Yacht was a fun and unique location for this year’s party!

CASA staff members Ada Hernandez-Bell, Amy Jackson, Britney Sink, Jessica Thacker, and Lauren Herrmann

2018 Volunteer of the Year Monty Merchant

At our Volunteer Appreciation Event on Tuesday, April 16th, Our Volunteer of the Year, Monty Merchant, was presented with a plaque and thanked for his valued service as a CASA volunteer. We are so grateful to Monty and to all our advocates for the important work they do!

2018 Volunteer of the Year, Monty Merchant, accepting a plaque in honor of his service as a CASA, from program manager Ada Hernandez-Bell.

“Monty is the type of person CASA volunteers strive to emulate and CASA staff wish we could duplicate. Since his first case assignment, Monty has approached his CASA volunteer work head-on, with equal parts compassion and determination, to enhance and improve the lives of the children he serves. He is dependable, focused, patient, intentional, and organized.” -Ada Hernandez-Bell

CASA Loves Volunteers! Volunteer Appreciation Event

Our annual volunteer appreciation event was held on Tuesday, April 16th, at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center. Our amazing volunteers were treated to heavy hors d’oeuvres and sangria as we celebrated their service to CASA of East Tennessee. in 2018, our advocates donated over 5,200 hours of their time, a value of $117,884!

Volunteer of the year, Monty Merchant, accepting his award and sharing his wisdom with fellow advocates.

Volunteers took home favors as a small token of appreciation for their service.

It's a Full House! Advocates and Court Dogs Sworn In

On Wednesday, March 27, 2019, I had the honor of being a member of the one of the largest groups of Court Appointed Special Advocates ever to be sworn in in Knox County Juvenile Court. I, along with 11 other CASAs, 5 Court Dog Program volunteers, and 4 Court Dogs, was sworn in by Judge Tim Irwin in front of friends, family, and other supportive members of the Knox County Community.

Due to such a high number of new volunteers, this CASA of East Tennessee training session was split into evening and morning classes. Each class had the benefit of being trained by Ada Hernandez-Bell, CASA's knowledgeable Program Manager,  whose experience working with children in the juvenile court system provided her with a seemingly endless well of knowledge.

This training was interactive and engaging; volunteers were encouraged to ask questions and participate in group discussions. We were encouraged to think critically as we began to learn how to navigate the world of the juvenile court system.

As we grew and learned together, our camaraderie led us to deeper discussions and a shared understanding of how each participant's unique perspective brings value to the CASA program. Our group activities and conversations grew richer as we developed an increasingly stronger understanding of our roles as advocates for abused and neglected children.

When our swearing-in date finally arrived, we volunteers stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of Judge Irwin and swore to perform our duties as CASAs to the best of our abilities and to maintain strict confidentiality, in service of the children of Knox County. To our great joy, we were also able to witness the swearing in of five HABIT volunteers and their service dogs, whose presence at court will be invaluable to all who encounter them.

Many of these volunteers were assigned cases within a week of being sworn in, and some are working with former classmates or seasoned CASAs who have ample experience and perspective to share. It is with great excitement that I anticipate the impact these volunteers will have on families for years to come.

Lauren Herrmann
Volunteer Coordinator

Red Shoe Gala 2019

There’s No Place Like Home

The 2019 Red Shoe Gala was held on February 2nd at The Standard in Downtown Knoxville, and featured dinner catered by Rothchild Catering, an open bar with signature cocktail, wine and beer, music by The Coveralls, and a silent auction. Decorations were in keeping with our Wizard of Oz theme, and attendees were encouraged to put on their red shoes and dance the night away!