Thanks to those who participated in Casablanca Gala

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Luzerne County held its inaugural Casablanca Gala on Sept. 29 at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. The event was a tremendous success and was attended by approximately 300 people. In addition, the event received generous financial support from individuals, businesses, local colleges and universities, and financial institutions. In particular, CASA of Luzerne County would like to thank M&T Bank, the gala’s primary sponsor. Other major sponsors included Berkshire Asset Management, OneSource HR Solutions, Community Bank, Lamar Advertising, McCarthy Tire, Sundance Vacations, Shep Pawling and Tracey Selingo. CASA of Luzerne County was founded on the belief that children who have been abused or neglected deserve a dedicated advocate to speak up for that child’s best interests in court, in school and in our community. To accomplish this goal, CASA recruits, educates and supports volunteers from our community who ensure that every child’s unique circumstances are carefully considered in an over-burdened child welfare system.

Last year 483 children in Luzerne County were removed from their homes because of abuse and/or neglect. Our goal is to ensure that every one of these children land in a safe, nurturing and permanent home.

On behalf of the children who we serve, the volunteer advocates that we sustain, the outstanding Casablanca event committee and our dedicated board of directors, I humbly thank all those who participated in making the Casablanca Gala a wonderful event.

John Aciukewicz Executive Director CASA of Luzerne County Wilkes-Barre

CASA of Luzerne County names Aciukewicz as new executive director

The Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Luzerne County announced attorney John Aciukewicz has been hired as its executive director. Aciukewicz is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Dickinson School of Law. He has been a practicing attorney in Luzerne County since 1984.

Aciukewicz resides in Trucksville with his wife, Beth. They are the parents of three sons: Josh, 29; Zach, 26, and Aaron, 22.

In 2015, 483 children in Luzerne County were removed from their homes as a result of abuse and/or neglect. The CASA concept is based upon the commitment that every child has the right to a safe, permanent home. Volunteers are screened and trained to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). They are then appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court. A CASA is empowered through the court’s order to access all records needed to gain insight into the child’s situation. The volunteer is an officer of the court and speaks exclusively for the child.

The CASA volunteer handles one case at a time, gathering facts, evaluating and gaining insight to make a conclusion on what is in the child’s best interest, providing the judge with an independent report and recommendation.

“We feel fortunate to have Mr. Aciukewicz leading CASA of Luzerne County,” said Christine M. Jensen, chairwoman of the board of directors, in a prepared statement. “Aciukewicz brings a wealth of leadership and experience. He helped to establish CASA in Luzerne County when he identified a need for advocates for children in the dependency system. He has worked tirelessly as a volunteer to make CASA a reality in Luzerne County and we welcome him to this new role as leader of the organization.” We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

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