Philadelphia PA, November 11, 2020: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Philadelphia is proud to announce a grant from the Vai Sikahema Foundation of $6,000, taking the 20K for 2020 Campaign above and beyond its goal.

Going Above and Beyond

Executive Director Happi Grillon explains that this grant will take CASA’s campaign to a grand total of 25K. “This virtual fundraiser came together due to COVID and the need to cancel our Annual Gala. We needed 25K to fill the gap, but CASA reduced that goal for this year assuming it would be difficult for a small group like ours to get those numbers virtually.”Vai, who was CASA’s 2019 Liberty Bell Gala Distinguished Honoree, didn’t like the idea that the charity wasn’t shooting for the entire amount, “$20,000 in the grand scheme of things isn’t a lot of money.” He explains that “we need to reach that goal, to train more CASA volunteers is so important, especially now, with things opening up a bit from COVID, the caseload is just increasing.”Vai and his wife Keala took it upon themselves to be sure CASA did not fall short with this gift closing that gap.Caroline Rosch, Managing Director, Portfolio Management & Operations, Reinvestment Fund, and CASA Board President says “we are so thankful toThe Vai Sikahema Foundation for their ongoing and generous support of CASA. This is a very challenging time for fundraising, but the needs of the children we serve continue to grow. CASA trained 64 new CASA’s in 2020. Gifts like this will allow us to continue our mission.”

About CASA Philadelphia

CASA Philadelphia’s mission is to train and support community volunteers to advance the welfare of children in foster care through exceptional advocacy.Children who have experienced abuse or neglect face a frightening profound unknown. Courtrooms. Foster Care. New Schools. A revolving door of well-meaning professionals. All while dealing with trauma of abuse or neglect. At CASA of Philadelphia County, we make sure these children don’t face the dependency court and foster care systems alone. Our highly-trained court appointed special advocates (CASA) volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the child’s best interest. They stay with the child until their case is closed or they reach a safe, permanent home. Volunteers work with the legal and child welfare professional, educators and others to ensure that judges have all the information they need to make potentially life-changing decision for each child. Multiple studies have shown that children who have experienced abuse and neglect fare better with a CASA volunteer by their side. They are more likely to find a safe permanent home. They are more likely to succeed in school. They are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system. Vai Sikahema’s Philadelphia Commitment Vai’s long standing commitment to Philadelphia’s children, both at NBC10’s Wednesday’s Child and the grants made by the Foundation he and his wife Keala created in 2018, to organizations like CASA, are so important to the fiber of the city.

Learn more about the Vai Sikahema Foundation HERE.

Special Invitation: All are invited to attend Vai’s Virtual Retirement Party. RSVP HEREFriday, November 20that 7:30pm. Special guests include Doug Pederson, Andy Reid, Dick Vermeil, Stephen A. Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Gary Player, Al Roker, Randall Cunningham and many more!

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