PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release April 21, 2008 Contact: Michele Edgcumbe, 610-565-2208 Delaware County CASA/Youth Advocates held their 2nd Annual Spring Workshop: “Bridging the Poverty Gap” to honor volunteers… April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. At this event, CASA Volunteers were honored for their dedicated service on behalf of abused and neglected children in Delaware County, PA. On Saturday, April 19, 2008 CASA/Youth Advocates, Inc. welcomed Pennsylvania State Representative Stephen E. Barrar, as their keynote speaker for their 2nd annual workshop at McCall Meeting and Conference Center in Highland Park, PA. At this event, Representative Barrar and other presenters including: Maria Kafalas, PhD, Co-Author of Promises I Can Keep: Why Poor Women Put Motherhood Before Marriage, Monica Smith, MSW, Eastern University Social Work Professor, and Amy Angelo, Yoga Instructoreach shared important information to the CASA volunteers and staff about bridging the poverty gap. Also present were two members of CASA’s Board of Directors Michele Daly, Co-Chair and member Jeffrey Snowell. This important workshop was designed to assist our CASA volunteers in their ongoing education, thus, helping them to provide the highest quality advocacy to the children and families they serve. CASA Volunteers were also recognized at the luncheon for their years of dedication and service. CASA Youth Advocates is a non-profit organization serving abused and neglected children involved with the child welfare system of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. CASA was established in 1992 by Delaware County leaders, including President Judge Battle and community advocate Jane Nolan-Orr. Currently, more than 850 children are under the jurisdiction of Delaware County Dependency Court because they have been abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents or caregivers. Most have been separated from their parents, siblings, and other family members. Many suffer with mental illness, developmental delays, chronic health problems or other disabilities as a direct effect of the abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers ensure these children receive the attention and support they deserve and help facilitate safe, permanent placement in a loving home. For more information, please visit our website at www.delcocasa.org.