Event Honorees Include John & Susan Porter,
Deputy Kevin Chapman, and CASA Volunteer John Peterson

Lancaster, CA, February 9, 2015 — CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit organization that improves the lives of foster children through trained volunteer advocates, will be hosting its 2015 Antelope Valley Dinner on Friday, February 27, 2015 at the John P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center, 43404 30th St West, Lancaster, CA 93536.

The popular event, now in its third year, will honor several local community members who have made a substantial impact on the lives of children in need.

The CASA Child Advocacy Award will be presented to Susan and John Porter. Dr. John Porter is Assistant Superintendent with the Palmdate School District, and has spent his career in education, first serving the District as Special Education teacher, Special Education Program Specialist and then Assistant Principal and Special Education Director. He sits on the boards of multiple regional charitable organizations in the Antelope Valley, and along with his wife Susan, maintain a highly active involvement in community affairs. Susan is the Antelope Valley Account Executive of United Way of Los Angeles.

Deputy Kevin Chapman of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and CASA volunteer advocate John Peterson will also be honored.

Deputy Kevin Chapman is a 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has worked various assignments during his tenure on the Sheriff’s Department, and is currently assigned to Department 427 of the Lancaster Dependency Court. Deputy Chapman and his wife of 31 years have resided in the Antelope Valley for 25 years.

CASA Volunteer John Peterson has been a CASA for the past 4 years, and will be honored for his dedication to the Antelope Valley branch of CASA/LA and his heartfelt and successful efforts to improve the lives of the foster children assigned to him.

John Peterson says, “I became a CASA in June 2011 because I believe there are too many kids/young adults going to or currently in jail. As an advocate, I want to have a positive impact on kids’ lives by gaining their “TRUST,” and thus eliminating some of the stress and emotional pain that exists in their life.” Peterson continues, “Additionally, I want to let them know that someone cares and how it feels to be loved. Simply put. The benefits from being a CASA, well, it’s not about me, it’s about the kids. I hope to use my life experiences to allow one, two, three or more kids to be a kid and not a convict.”

“Helping Children Blossom” is an evening to benefit CASA’s services of support and advocacy for foster children in the Antelope Valley. Individual tickets are $75, with sponsorship packages ranging from $250 through to $10,000. Tickets are available through the CASA/LA homepage: https://www.casala.org or by calling CASA at 661-723-2272.

WHAT: “Helping Children Blossom” Dinner Benefitting CASA
WHEN: Friday, February 27th, 2015. 5:45 pm Reception; 7:00 pm Dinner
WHERE: John P. Eliopulos Hellenic Center 
43404 30th Street, Lancaster, CA 93536 (Map)

Media interested in attending the event can contact Brian McWilliams at SpellCom: bm*********@sp******.com / 310-838-4010

ABOUT CASA/LA
Founded in 1978, CASA of Los Angeles is a community-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize community volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children in the overburdened foster care system of Los Angeles County. CASA has offices at the Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center in Lancaster, and in Monterey Park. CASA’s vision is of a Los Angeles where every foster child has an advocate and the opportunity to thrive. Through committed, highly trained everyday citizen volunteers, CASA brings the voice of a concerned community into the child welfare system. Studies have shown that children with CASAs receive more assistance and support than children without, and are more likely to be adopted or returned to their families and less likely to reenter the child welfare system. For more information, please visit the CASA of Los Angeles website: https://www.casala.org.