CASA program benefits from football camp
courtesy photo
Director of CASA/Youth Connection Ann Marie McNeel, Trafford Cox, Case Cox, Ry Rasmussen and Youth Connection Coordinator Leah Brown pose for a photo following a youth-organized donation.
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News from Leah Brown, Youth Connection Coordinator
POLSON - “More Than a Game” football camp recently presented a donation to CASA of Lake & Sanders Counties and its Youth Connection services. At the inaugural More Than a Game event, which involved grades 3-8 and high school. Athletes were provided elite instruction from well-known coaches and football players.
More Than a Game football camp started when Polson High School Sophomore Case Cox, who coordinated the event, took an opportunity to watch how tough it can be for kids who get stuck in custody battles between their parents in the Lake County district courtroom. He was inspired to organize a football camp not just to teach the game, but to come together to strengthen our community while supporting kids in need. He teamed up with CASA/Youth Connection and donated the proceeds from the camp to CASA/Youth Connection’s work in strengthening families.
CASA/Youth Connection is a nonprofit that provides child advocacy, parenting classes, and supervised family time to help children thrive in safe, stable homes. Executive Director Ann Marie McNeel says, “At CASA/Youth Connection, we understand that every family’s journey is unique, and when a family’s connection is at risk we use our resources to help.”
For over 20 years, CASA has supported children when they are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. CASA stands for the volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates. These volunteers are trained and mentored to work directly with the children and families the program serves.
Through Youth Connection services, families can receive parenting classes and supervised parenting time. McNeel says, “We serve all families, like parents in the community who want to learn more about parenting skills, as well as parents who need to maintain a relationship with their children while working out parenting plans in the court system.”
CASA/Youth Connection starts with the idea that it’s in a child’s best interest to remain with family when conditions are safe and stable enough. When these conditions are at risk, Youth Connection helps children to maintain contact with their parents and siblings. McNeel adds, “Our partnerships with the court, local attorneys, Child Protective Services, and other service providers in the community strengthen our capacity to offer families these types of specialized service.”
CASA Advocate Carol Searl says, “There’s no better feeling than making an impact in a child’s life like this,” adding that her volunteer work with CASA/Youth Connection is “a unique opportunity to make an impact on generations to come.”
Grants and donations make it possible for CASA/Youth Connection to offer its services at no cost, as well as to train and mentor each of its volunteers. A grant from the Children’s Trust Fund helps to provide open enrollment for community parenting classes. Proceeds from More Than a Game football camp will help to open a teen visit room at CASA/Youth Connection’s facility in Polson.
To learn more, call CASA/Youth Connection at 406-883-0158 or email: casa20jd@gmail.com.
