CASA of Montana Honors Program Director of the Year

April 24 - CASA of Montana recognized the people who work for abused and neglected children in district courts around the state. At the annual Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference, Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, presented awards to the CASA Judge, Directors, and Volunteer Advocate of the Year for 2008. An independent committee of three reviewers selected the honorees based on their significant contributions to CASA through their work with children and families.

One of the nominating volunteers at CASA – Advocates for Kids wrote that Bill Collins “is already the Director of the Year and all time in our hearts in Helena.” Collins has dedicated himself to CASA since its inception in Helena in 1998. For the past ten years, program volunteers have been amazed by the scope and breadth of his work. Collins devotes so much time and energy to guiding his volunteers, it’s easy for them to forget that he has even more important things to do. His number one priority is always seeing that the interests of children are well represented.

District Court Judge Thomas Honzel pointed out that although Collins works tirelessly to serve the needs of the Court and the volunteers, his true focus is on the children. The staff of Child and Family Services wrote, “He is committed to the protection of children and driven to pursue what is in the child’s best interest.” Never seeking recognition for himself, Bill Collins truly is the “gold standard” of CASA directors, in the words of a children’s representative. Friends and peers respect his ability to treat everyone equally and build a rapport with all parties involved in a CASA case. Congratulations to Bill, the “heart and soul of the Helena CASA/GAL program!”

2008 Run/Walk a Success Despite Cold and Snow

May 10 - Thank you to everyone who took part in our 7th Annual Run/Walk. With the help of generous sponsors, pledge donors, volunteers, and brave participants, we raised over $8,000 between the Run/Walk and our April Light of Hope campaign. We hope the event was as fun for you to take part in as it was for us to plan.

Donations of time and funding directly support our volunteers, who act as guardian ad litems to abused and neglected children in Helena and the surrounding area. Once a child is assigned a CASA volunteer, he/she has someone whose sole purpose in court is to represent that child's needs.

With your support and generosity, every child in the Helena area, who has been removed from home due to alleged dependent neglect, has someone who ensures he/she is receiving proper care while in the shild welfare system. Additionally, the court has a reliable, well-trained individual who is there solely to address what is in the best interest of each child.

Thank you!

Thank you to the hardy volunteers and race participants who came out to support CASA in the snow on Saturday. A big thank you also to all of our generous sponsors. Despite the weather, the 7th Annual Run/Walk was a great success.

Run/Walk photos are now online! Click here to view.


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