Local insurance agency advocates for abused, neglected and at-risk children
September 11, 2017
Help Cumbre Insurance Services earn an even larger donation to Child Advocates of El Dorado County. If their story is shared on social media 50 or more times Sept. 11-17, Child Advocates of El Dorado County will receive an additional $5,000. Use the buttons and help them reach their goal!
Children who are abused and severely neglected need vital services, and they deserve justice.
That's where CASAs - Court Appointed Special Advocates - come in. These specially trained community volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of at-risk children: When a CASA is involved, children typically receive more services, spend less time in foster care, and have improved recidivism rates.
In Placerville, California, Child Advocates of El Dorado County has been recruiting and training CASAs for more than 25 years. And for much of that time, they've had the backing of Cumbre Insurance (formerly Mother Lode Insurance Services) in nearby Shingle Springs.
The company has insured the nonprofit for several years, according to Melissa Key, Cumbre's office manager, and support grew as employees learned about its mission. Everyone in the Cumbre office participated in the organization's annual box-lunch fundraiser this year; they also will help with "Casablanca in the Hills," an event expected to raise more than $100,000.
Cumbre Insurance Services staff Malia Murchison and Andrea O'Neill loading some of the 300 lunches they purchased and delivered to a local CASA benefits provider.
"It's rewarding to know that our help directly improves the lives of local families," Key said. "This support goes toward treating the trauma these kids have endured and lining them up with a stable, adult advocate who can serve as their voice."
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate requires 30 hours of training, an extensive background check, and 12 hours of continuing education every year, said Shanna Lowder, community outreach and recruitment manager for Child Advocates of El Dorado County.
It's not an easy job. "I know one girl, ‘Jennifer,' who went through several foster homes," Key said. "Jennifer's CASA speaks for her in court, but the support goes well beyond that. Her advocate is there to listen and help process her emotions, and is encouraging Jennifer to further her education and become a teacher."
Over 25 years, Child Advocates of El Dorado County has trained more than 650 advocates, but the need continues to grow. "We are always looking to recruit additional advocates for these children," Lowder said.
Staff from Cumbre Insurance Services and Child Advocates of El Dorado County take a pause from volunteering, pictured: Tria Wylie, Malia Murchison, Melissa Key, Shanna Lowder and Vicki Helwig.
The recognition of a Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award just might help. The honor, earned by Cumbre Insurance Services, comes with up to a $10,000 donation to Child Advocates of El Dorado County from Safeco on behalf of Cumbre.
"This donation will fund more than six advocates for a year," Lowder said. "We're so grateful to Melissa and her team for their support. Without it, we wouldn't be able to continue growing the number of children we serve."
Child Advocates of El Dorado County staff work tirelessly on behalf of abused and neglected children. Pictured: John Adams, Executive Director, Julia Johnson, Kaela Patterson, Rebecca DeGennaro, Michelle Vien, Vicki Helwig, Rose Breitwiser and Barbara DeGraaf.
Children who are abused and severely neglected need vital services, and they deserve justice.
That's where CASAs - Court Appointed Special Advocates - come in. These specially trained community volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of at-risk children: When a CASA is involved, children typically receive more services, spend less time in foster care, and have improved recidivism rates.
In Placerville, California, Child Advocates of El Dorado County has been recruiting and training CASAs for more than 25 years. And for much of that time, they've had the backing of Cumbre Insurance (formerly Mother Lode Insurance Services) in nearby Shingle Springs.
The company has insured the nonprofit for several years, according to Melissa Key, Cumbre's office manager, and support grew as employees learned about its mission. Everyone in the Cumbre office participated in the organization's annual box-lunch fundraiser this year; they also will help with "Casablanca in the Hills," an event expected to raise more than $100,000.
Cumbre Insurance Services staff Malia Murchison and Andrea O'Neill loading some of the 300 lunches they purchased and delivered to a local CASA benefits provider.
"It's rewarding to know that our help directly improves the lives of local families," Key said. "This support goes toward treating the trauma these kids have endured and lining them up with a stable, adult advocate who can serve as their voice."
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate requires 30 hours of training, an extensive background check, and 12 hours of continuing education every year, said Shanna Lowder, community outreach and recruitment manager for Child Advocates of El Dorado County.
It's not an easy job. "I know one girl, ‘Jennifer,' who went through several foster homes," Key said. "Jennifer's CASA speaks for her in court, but the support goes well beyond that. Her advocate is there to listen and help process her emotions, and is encouraging Jennifer to further her education and become a teacher."
Over 25 years, Child Advocates of El Dorado County has trained more than 650 advocates, but the need continues to grow. "We are always looking to recruit additional advocates for these children," Lowder said.
Staff from Cumbre Insurance Services and Child Advocates of El Dorado County take a pause from volunteering, pictured: Tria Wylie, Malia Murchison, Melissa Key, Shanna Lowder and Vicki Helwig.
The recognition of a Safeco Insurance Make More Happen Award just might help. The honor, earned by Cumbre Insurance Services, comes with up to a $10,000 donation to Child Advocates of El Dorado County from Safeco on behalf of Cumbre.
"This donation will fund more than six advocates for a year," Lowder said. "We're so grateful to Melissa and her team for their support. Without it, we wouldn't be able to continue growing the number of children we serve."
Child Advocates of El Dorado County staff work tirelessly on behalf of abused and neglected children. Pictured: John Adams, Executive Director, Julia Johnson, Kaela Patterson, Rebecca DeGennaro, Michelle Vien, Vicki Helwig, Rose Breitwiser and Barbara DeGraaf.
- Agency: Cumbre Insurance Services, www.motherlodeinsurance.com, Shingle Springs, California
- Nonprofit: Child Advocates of El Dorado County, www.casaeldorado.org, Placerville, California