Friends,

Most of you know that I have been a CASA volunteer for the past 7 years, and have put a lot of heart and soul into advocating for the 5 families and 15 children who I have been lucky enough to cross paths with.  I now have the opportunity to combine my love and respect for CASA and the challenge of competing in my first marathon.  Yes - you read that right - The Chicago Marathon to be exact.  While I don't often ask for fundraising help, I would like to ask my friends to support me in this endeavor, and support a great cause as well, as CASA of Cook County, IL serves a population of kids that truly need our help.

Thank you for anything you can contribute.

Laura

Team CASA members use the incredible experience of training for and running one of the world’s largest marathons to raise awareness and funds for the most vulnerable individuals in Chicago–children in the Cook County foster care system who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Each runner has a goal of raising $2,300, or the cost of providing CASA services for one child for one year. Team CASA members directly impact the life of a child who will receive individual advocacy in court by a trained CASA volunteer. The advocacy that they receive has been shown to shorten the time they are in foster care and ensure they receive needed medical, educational, and social services while in care. The ultimate goal of CASA is to help each child find a safe, permanent home. The trajectory of these children’s lives are changed because they have a committed adult CASA volunteer who is with them throughout the most traumatic time in their lives. Thank you for being on our team and helping a child find a safe, permanent home.