City of St. Charles employees are doing something special to benefit CASA Kane County during the month of October.

The city held this initiative last year and it was so successful, they are doing it again. Employees will pay $6 each Friday for the privilege of wearing jeans. To close out the month, a bake sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at City Hall, with a raffle also included. Raffle prizes include Arcada Theatre tickets, a manicure/pedicure from Michelle at Salon Agape, tickets to a Chicago Steel Hockey game along with a signed puck, a gift certificate from Shakou, a Day In Pottawatomie Park for Four and an overnight with brunch for two at Pheasant Run Resort. Raffle tickets are $3 each or 4 /$10.

Donation boxes will also be available at city buildings to encourage all residents of St. Charles to get involved.

This event, called “CASAtober” is part of CASA Kane County’s “Partnerships with a Purpose” program where a company, organization or individual holds a promotion, event or sale to benefit CASA’s child advocacy program. Lori Hewitt, Director of Development for CASA Kane County worked with Lynn Creedon, Benefits Coordinator of the City in 2014 and 2015 to create CASAtober as a way of giving back to the community.

All proceeds will benefit CASA Kane County and will be used towards the recruitment, training and supervision of community volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardians ad Litem for children who are in court due to abuse and neglect.

You can help by stopping by the city of St. Charles during the month of October, and making a donation to support abused and neglected children served by CASA.

“Partnering with local community merchants and businesses is what this program is all about,” stated Hewitt from CASA. “It is inspiring how the community gets involved with CASA to help our children.”

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Juvenile Court system and has been advocating for these children since 1988. In 2015, the program’s 281 volunteers served 610 children throughout Kane County. Businesses interested in partnering with CASA should contact Lori Hewitt, Director of Development at (630) 444-3107. To learn more about the CASA Kane County program, please visit www.casakanecounty.org.

CASA Kane County Demographics

CASA Kane County relied on 281 trained volunteers to represent 610 children in Juvenile and Probate Courts last year. These children range in age from birth to 21-year-olds who are ready to live independently. About 42 percent of the 610 children served last year were under the age of 5. All of the children and young adults relied on their CASA/GAL volunteer to make certain that their goals of safety and permanency were achieved.

2015 Service Statistics

• 610 children served
• 281 active CASA/GAL volunteers
• 45 new CASA/GAL volunteers trained
• 31,730 child service hours contributed

Program Outcomes

• 100 percent of children served did not experience a recurrence of abuse or neglect.
• 99 percent of children served remained with one consistent CASA/GAL volunteer for the entire year.
• 100 percent of children who came into abuse/neglect and probate courts were appointed a CASA/GAL volunteer.\