GET OVER IT!!

EVENT DATE:   Saturday, July 22, 2023

LOCATION: The Thatcher Building | 503 North Main Street, Pueblo, CO 81003

How do I participate?

• Sign up now to become an "Edger" and rappel the historic Thatcher Building to help abused and neglected youth in our community

• Pay only $50 registration fee using promo code "EARLYBIRD."  Registration fee is $75 after promo date.

• Easily set up your personal fundraising page and share on social media

• Reach our $1000 fundraising minimum

Edger Benefits?

• Do something bold, brave, different, and makes a difference
• Fundraise money to benefit abused and neglected youth
• Align your business with a credible organization doing important work
• Use your custom fundraise platform page to communicate important messages about you and your business

Why we need you!

Because, NOW, more than ever before, kids are hurting and need our help! 

The secondary impacts of COVID greatly affected Pueblo’s most vulnerable families, and unfortunately their children. By the end of 2021, CASA of Pueblo began the new year with a 24% increase in child abuse and neglect cases. Sadly, we also saw an increase in the severity of cases with sexual abuse cases doubling, physical abuse cases increasing by 29%, and cases involving drug exposed infants increasing by an overwhelming 97% in just Pueblo alone. By the end of 2021 and as we began 2022, our combined three programs had a record 497 youth with a record 152 volunteers. As we forge ahead into 2023, numbers show signs that the worst may be over, with a 6% decline or 467 youth served compared to the previous year; however, numbers also show that our work is not yet done, with still a 13 percent youth served in 2022 compared to pre-COVID (2019). Our greatest challenge as we forge ahead, is to continue to recruit volunteers as people return to their busy lives with new challenges and economic hardship brought by inflation. We must also be mindful of the residual stress to staff and volunteers after three difficult years of work.

Why are we going Over the Edge for CASA Kids?

Motivated by the fear and anxiety faced by our CASA kids, we face our own fears of going "Over the Edge" to help bring awareness and educate the public about the fears and challenges faced by our youth everyday.  Our CASA kids come to us having been removed from the home due to abuse and/or neglect, experiencing some major trauma in their life that is unimaginable to most.   Many have witnessed or experienced physical and sexual abuse; some have lost parents to drugs and addictions;  many are homeless, having moved home to home because of a wandering or absent parent. Our CASA "Volunteer Heroes" are appointed by the courts to keep eyes on our kids placed in foster care, advocate for their overall health and well-being, and serve as their voice in court as a loving and safe home is determined. Our goal is to ensure our kids do not become a victim of the system a second time, by becoming lost in an already burdened foster welfare system. Since 2002, CASA of Pueblo has served nearly 3,000 our youth.

More About CASA of Pueblo:

CASA of Pueblo serves children ranging in age from 0-18 involved in Dependency and Neglect court actions because of allegations of abuse and/or neglect. CASA volunteers have to be specially trained to identify safety and risk factors that lead to child abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers work with children who have special needs or disabilities and are also trained in the areas of cultural competence and working with families who have elements of substance abuse, domestic violence, poverty, etc. CASA is a vital program making an impact in reducing child abuse and neglect in our communities and helping to move children out of the system and into safe permanent homes faster and with fewer foster placements. It has been established that the intervention of a support system or support individual can make the difference in the life of the child and affect positive change for the future.