Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 

Heather Beckley and Lisa Damron with Mt. Vernon Tourism and Festivals Inc. respectively, join Big Jake's show to chat about Scoopie Night at Mt. Vernon's Cuvler's as well as this weekend's Market Days & Pawfest events.

 
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Ag Literacy Coordinator at the Jefferson-Hamilton County Farm Bureau, Lucille Schlablach stopped by the show. We discuss their upcoming pancake breakfast and the importance of teaching our young people where their food comes from and farmers/agriculture.

 
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Madelyn Tudor was named the Little Miss Washington County Fair Queen in 2022 and she would go on to win Little Miss Illinois 2023. She is retiring this summer and stopped by WMIX to chat with Big Jake and officially make her retirement speech on the air. We have royalty in the building!

 
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