CASA swears in 12 new volunteers, issues for more
MEDIA » CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., an organization that works to ensure children in Delaware and Chester counties’ child welfare systems live well, achieve academic excellence, and experience the joys of childhood by providing them with trained volunteer advocates who speak for their best interests, held a virtual swearing-in ceremony on June 4 to welcome 12 new volunteers. The ceremony was administered by Delaware County Dependency Court Judge Richard Lowe.
This was the first class of new volunteers that was recruited, interviewed and screened, trained, and sworn-in completely virtually. New volunteers include: Amanda Backenstose of Exton, Georgia Charleston of Pottstown, Barbara DiMartini of Downingtown, Ashley Flood of Wyncote, Chris Kelly of Havertown, Katie Marge of West Chester, Claudia McBride of Wayne, Stacey Simpson of Kennett Square, Rochelle Thomas of Malvern, Lauren Turton of Media, Angela Wagner of Lincoln University and Sara Wolfgang of Morgantown.
CASA volunteers complete 35 hours of training over the course of two to three weeks. After taking an oath, they become eligible to review and monitor the case of a child or youth experiencing abuse or neglect. Volunteers are assigned to a child to walk alongside, with the responsibility of helping build trust, investigate his or her case, observe, analyze, and advocate for what is best through written reports and verbal recommendations to the judge — a rewarding experience for both the child and volunteer.
CASA is actively seeking new volunteers with the increase in child welfare cases due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Their next info session will be held virtually on Thursday, June 25 at 12 noon. To register and for more information about becoming a volunteer with CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., visit https://delcocasa. org/volunteer/volunteer-information-session-registration.
Local food drives in need of donations Saturday
Delaware County Department of Human Services, in conjunction with Congresswoman Scanlon, Sen. Tom Killion, Rep. Brian Kirkland, Rep. Leanne Krueger, Rep. Steve Barrar and Delaware County AFL-CIO, will present a drive-thru food collection drive 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 20 at United Steelworkers Hall,
1522 Chichester Ave., Linwood.
Another food drive, sponsored by the Delaware County Department of Human Services, in conjunction with Congresswoman Scanlon, Sen. Tim Kearney, Rep. Margo Davidson and Lansdowne Borough Council, will be held 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, June
20 in the Highland Avenue Parking lot, 4 Highland Ave., Lansdowne, behind Dunkin’ Donuts,
Both food drives are contactless. People are to drive through the parking lot so volunteers can unload items from trunks to waiting trucks that will deliver to local food pantries.
Items most needed include dry food goods, peanut butter, canned meats, tuna, stews, soups, cereal, and items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits like paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, bar soap for bathing, baby diapers, baby wipes, formula, hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes.
For more information, contact Gayle Oddi at 610713-2365.
Delaware County Veterans Memorial holds Juneteenth celebration Friday
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Taylor-Made Vets and the Juneteenth Artistic Collaborative Experience (JACE) have recalibrated the annual Juneteenth celebration into a virtual commemoration 12-5 p.m. Friday, June 19. The commemoration shall highlight the eternal resonance of freedom and sacrifice.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is an American holiday celebrated annually on June 19. The annual event marks the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy.
The livestreamed event at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial on West Chester Pike in Newtown Square will be available on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and on the DCVM website, and will include the 3rd Colored regimen re-enactment, presentation of the Juneteenth flag to Delaware County Veterans Memorial service persons who will then raise the Juneteenth flag; an opening prayer by Pastor Nate Goodson; the laying of the Civil War memorial wreath; the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by Brooklyn Taylor; the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation; the singing of the Gospel song “Lift Every Voice.”
The National Juneteenth proclamation will be read by the Master of Ceremonies. The 1862 Enrollment Act will be presented by Brian Taylor, honoring the contribution of multiethnic/ cultural immigrant servicemembers, followed by short speeches by various community members, including Saud Siddiq, Olivia Taylor, and Sreekanth Somarajan.
Rich Blye will present Lifetime Achievement awards to Upper Darby Mayor Tom Micozzie and Frank Ross.
For more information, visit taylormadevets.org/.
Willgens named ‘GM World Class Technician’
Hill Cadillac in Newtown Square has announced they have a new GM World Class Technician, Kyle Willgens.
Some Certified Service technicians, like Willgens, take more than 450 hours of training to reach this high level of expertise — GM World Class Technician.
Of the approximately 29,000 service technicians nationally Willgens is one of the only 1200 World Class Technicians.
“It takes a lot of commitment and hard work to earn the World Class distinction,” says Timothy Hilsey, parts and service director at Hill Cadillac “Kyle has also earned Master Technician and ASE certifications in various vehicle specialty areas along the way.”
COSA offers free on-line Power Over Pain program
Chronic pain can impact all aspects of a person’s life — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Chronic Pain Self-Management is the idea that a person is in control over how he deals with his own pain.
Those who are age 60 or older and living with chronic pain don’t want to miss the opportunity to attend the acclaimed Chronic Pain SelfManagement Program developed at Stanford University. People are invited to join peers on-line at this evidence-based program, which is offered free by COSA in collaboration with Friendship Circle Senior Center and support from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. The program will meet on-line once a week for six weeks 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays from June 25 through July 30.
The Chronic Pain SelfManagement Program provides participants with the self-care tools and life skills that support them in reaching their personal goals to manage their chronic pain. Topics include: Dealing with frustration, fatigue, isolation and poor sleep; Learning exercises to improve strength, flexibility and endurance; Using medications effectively; and communication, nutrition, and evaluation of new treatments.
Space is limited and everyone must register by contacting williamse@co.delaware. pa.us or 610-499-1937.