Cecil County CASA Board Members Rally for First Meeting

ELKTON, MD – Board members of Cecil County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the newest CASA program formed in the state, recently held their first board meeting to discuss strategic planning and overall goals for the organization.

Cecil County CASA, is a non-profit organization that works to ensure victims of child abuse and neglect their right to safe, permanent homes. The organization trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of these children in court. Cecil County CASA, formed in August of 2015, is the newest CASA program in Maryland and aims to serve the nearly 200 abused and neglected children of the region through trained adult advocacy.

The members of the inaugural board are as follows: Paul Elwood-President, Greg Birney-Vice President, Mark Clark-Treasurer, Cori Newell-Secretary, Connie Muller- Member, Rich Bayer- Member, Karolyn Bowe- Member, William Brueckman- Member, Tracy Reynolds- Member, and Joyce Bowlsbey- Member.

“I am excited to welcome the first Board of Directors to CASA of Cecil County, said Giulia Hodge, the program’s Executive Director. “Each of them brings some level of expertise, as well as new energy and ideas to the Board, and I thank them for their dedication to Cecil's abused and neglected children.”

From retirees to legal service providers, these community members come from different backgrounds, but all share the passion and commitment of addressing the needs of Cecil County’s vulnerable children.

Paul Elwood, a retired school administrator and past U.S. Army Infantry Officer, will serve as President of the Board. “I have three goals,” Elwood mentioned. “Help grow CASA of Cecil County into an effective organization that will attend to the needs of the children we have committed to serve, promote the organizations purpose within the community, and provide effective leadership for acquiring sustainable funding.” He has been a resident of Cecil County for 47 years and been a part of the Cecil Country Retired School Personnel Association, the Rising Sun Lion’s Club, and the Kiwanis Club, to name a few.

The treasurer of the board is Mark Clark, Owner and Principal Architect for Clark Design Group, P.C. He has served on numerous other boards, including the Elkton Rotary Club, the Delaware Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and the Business and Education Partnership Advisory Council, serving as president on all three boards, and a member on several others.

Another member of the board, Karolyn Bowe, is an Attorney for the Office of the Public Defender. “I have had the privilege of working with CASA in many of my cases. In fact, in the other counties in my case load, CASA’s are routinely appointed in nearly every case,” she stated. “The CASA’s have, on more than on occasion, provided information regarding the child that I otherwise would never have learned, and therefore, the parent would not have known.”

“With strong community support, much like that we have garnered through our board of directors, CASA of Cecil County will be in a position to serve more and more abused and neglected children throughout the region,” commented Hodge. “We’ve come a long way since August, but there is still much work to be done, so I must continue to call on support from our community members,” she added.

Those interested in learning more about becoming a board member for the organization, or getting involved by becoming a CASA Volunteer and advocating for abused and neglected children are urged to contact Giulia Hodge, Executive Director at 1-410-996-3025 or info@cecilcasa.org.

About CASA of Cecil County

CASA of Cecil County is one of 15 local CASA programs throughout the state, which recruit, train and supervise volunteers appointed by the court to serve as advocates for children under court protection due to abuse and neglect. Currently, CASA serves children in 21 of the state’s 24 jurisdictions. By sustaining and strengthening the capacity of the program and the competency of its diverse community of volunteers, CASA hopes to continue to expand until all children who have suffered from abuse and neglect and live in foster care in Cecil County are matched with CASA volunteers who will help them navigate their experience in foster care until they are placed in safe, nurturing and permanent homes.

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