Dr. Gilbert Stork
Four new members have joined the board of directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. Dr. Gilbert Stork, the new CASA board president and past president of Cuesta College, leads the slate which includes new members James Simonaro and Kaimy Chappell. Additionally, Kelly Sanders moved from president to secretary, and Suzy da Silva Hamilton stepped up to vice president. After many years serving as a CASA volunteer assisting a child, Rudy Bachmann of San Luis Obispo has also joined the board.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit these vulnerable children especially hard,” said Stork, “but our dedicated volunteers never paused in their advocacy for their health and well-being. I am so proud of what they accomplish.”
With the current health crisis compelling some volunteers and donors to reduce their support of CASA, the newly expanded board will prove crucial in assisting with increasing community support.
CASA is in its 27th year of providing advocacy for court-dependent children in this county who have been abused and neglected. Most of the youth CASA serves live in foster care and face many challenges to their health, education, and general wellbeing. A CASA volunteer becomes the child’s trusted, consistent adult, regardless of changes to the child’s school or place of residence.
In 2019, CASA provided an advocate to 322 children and oversaw volunteers who logged over 32,000 hours improving children’s lives.
For more information, contact: staff@slocasa.org
