Razoo Woo-Whoo

Written by Heather

With just three weeks left until Ariana's big first birthday, we would like to rev up our donations on Razoo. We hope for donations for PRISMS in her honor in lieu of birthday gifts. So let's overload them and try to hit the $5000 mark! Every donor will have an automatic entry into the raffle to be held at Ari's birthday party. Please also leave us your comments and birthday wishes on the Razoo site. Also, when you donate on Razoo, you can share it with your friends on Facebook. Email the information to your address list for added support... the more the merrier.

Ariana is changing lives in so many ways. Her beautiful eyes and spirit brightens the worst of days.

$2K Down, $8K To Go

Written by Melissa

Over the weekend, The A Team on the Run's fundraiser surpassed the $2,000 mark. That means we have just under $8,000 to be raised and we know we can do it. Having overcome many odds in the past year, we are confident that no matter what challenges lie ahead, together we can accomplish our goals. Raising $10,000 for PRISMS is certainly the one of many grand challenges we'll face. Looking forward to knocking it out of the park!

CASA Funding in Grave Jeopardy

Written by Melissa

Just last week I became a CASA volunteer. Today I've learned that federally funding for the CASA program is in grave jeopardy. Unfortunately, a senator from my state is not on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, but maybe there is one from your state (see the list below). If so, please email or call your senator TODAY asking him/her to appropriate the authorized funding level of $12M for the CASA program. A decision from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee will be determined tomorrow, July 16, so flood them will requests today. Read here for more details on how you can help.

State	Senator to contact
Alabama	Senator Richard Shelby (Vice Chairman)
Alaska	Senator Lisa Murkowski
Arkansas	Senator John Boozman and Senator Mark Pryor
California	Senator Dianne Feinstein
Delaware	Senator Chris Coons
Illinois	Senator Mark Kirk
Kentucky	Senator Mitch McConnell
Louisiana	Senator Mary Landrieu
Maine	Senator Susan Collins
Maryland	Senator Barbara Mikulski (Chairwoman)
New Hampshire	Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Oregon	Senator Jeff Merkley
Rhode Island	Senator Jack Reed
South Carolina	Senator Lindsey Graham
Tennessee	Senator Lamar Alexander
Vermont	Senator Patrick Leahy

I Am For the Child

Written by Melissa

Today, I was sworn in by Judge Willie Lovett as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the Fulton County Juvenile Court. I've spent the last couple of months training online in the evenings and in person on Saturday mornings leading up to today's ceremony. I've learned a great deal not just about the juvenile justice system, but also about what it is to be a child in foster care.

In this volunteer role, I'll be charged with advocating for a child (or children) in the system by diligently researching a case, interviewing all parties involved in the case, seeking objective answers to questions pertinent to the case, and preparing written reports for the judge to review and providing recommendations to the judge about the child's placement, both temporary and permanent. I am for the child. I am specifically volunteering on behalf of and in the best interests of the child.

This will surely be an incredibly challenging role, yet also a very rewarding one. With my own unexpected, bumpy road this past year, I have somehow managed to stay on track - with the goal always being to provide both of my children with what I hope are remarkably blessed lives, albeit in a way that I never saw coming and never thought possible. So now, in light of my new normal, it seems inconceivable for me to stand on the sidelines when I can contribute to other children's lives in a way I never saw coming and never thought possible. CASA gives me this opportunity and I am so grateful. A little nervous, but grateful.

I must also thank (today and always) both Asa and Ariana for giving me the strength and courage to advocate for them everyday and now also the fortitude to advocate for others that aren't as fortunate. And while I hope to goodness I can help to change the lives of the children I meet, I suspect it will be my life that will once again be changed and enlightened by them.



 

Other websites of interest: National CASA, Georgia CASA, Fulton County CASA, Fulton County CASA Facebook

Running Up the Razoo

Written by Melissa, Pictures by Heather

As you may know, Heather is running in a marathon in November in an effort to fundraise for PRISMS. Last night, I made a donation by clicking on the RAZOO button (found on this blog on the left-hand column) from money raised by way of Thirty-One, a direct-selling company that makes stylish handbags and utility products. Friends and family bought cool totes and bags and 25% of the sales (or $386.25) went towards the PRISMS fundraiser. You can see - a LOT of bags were sold. All for a very good cause. Adding this money to the pot took us over the $1,000 mark. It's exciting to see our progress, but we've got a ways to go to hit $10,000!

To keep up the momentum, we're selling raffle tickets at $5 each for Ariana's 1st birthday party in August. Here are a few of the prizes, thus far:

Pictured are Ping Eye 2 clubs in a Ping bag (gently used, but in great condition) - these will be the grand prize for a raffle ticket of just $5. Further, the humidor comes with 20 cigars, lighter, and cutter. In addition, a PRISMS gift basket (not pictured) will be filled with a T-shirt, cookbook, mug, and more. Other prizes are still being added to the list and we'll make updates here soon. If you have anything you'd like to donate as a prize, we'd be ever so grateful.

The fun and festivities will take place Saturday, August 17 at a Community Center near Jim and Heather's home. All are welcome to attend, just give us a shout and we will get you the information.

If you plan to attend or not, in lieu of gifts, please consider making a donation to the PRISMS fundraiser. Our continued thanks to all who have held our family in such an amazing circle of love and support.