CASA First Executive Director Annie Rasquin, LISW, at her offices Tuesday at 466 W. San Francisco St. in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
Sponsored Content

SANTA FE—Entering the offices of CASA First in Santa Fe is like coming home after a long trip – calm and comforting. That soothing feeling permeates the space, including a large area called the “Calm and Comfort Room”, designated for gatherings with children and families. Soft stuffed animals containing weights provide traumatized children with a secure sense of being hugged.

“We are the safety net for these children,” CASA First Executive Director Annie Rasquin, LISW, explained during an interview Tuesday at her office. “We are so critical to them and their lives during challenging times, and we have a responsibility to be there to help them.”

CASA First was formed in 1977 out of a concern for decisions made about abused and neglected children without sufficient information. The non-profit organization has advocated for thousands of foster children from Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe.

Rasquin has been working in public service for more than three decades in Santa Fe and rural New Mexico. She began her career in emergency medicine as a paramedic firefighter with the City of Santa Fe. Trained as a social worker and infant mental health therapist. Rasquin has worked for the last 20 years in early intervention and behavioral health, specializing in trauma-impacted children and families. She and her team provide compassionate and broad advocacy for infants, children, and youth who are trauma-impacted or system-involved.

CASA First relies on contributions from community members and area businesses, and Rasquin spoke of how important the support they receive from Enterprise Bank & Trust is to her organization.

“Bank President Liddie Martinez and the support of her bank are amazing,” she said. “Liddie is a community leader, and it’s an honor that she supports us … her team is remarkable, too. Enterprise Bank is truly a community bank that helps make the important work we do possible … we are so grateful.”

Martinez explained why Enterprise Bank & Trust supports CASA First.

“CASA First provides critical support and advocacy for our most vulnerable children,” Martinez said. “They are the calm in the chaos. Enterprise is proud to partner with this vital organization to soften the difficult path with compassionate service.”

CASA First has recently opened a location on the McCurdy Family Resource Campus, which encompasses 13 non-profit organizations such as United Way of Northern New Mexico, Las Cumbres, Grandparents Raising Grandkids, Lighthouse Clothing Pantry, and others.

“We are seeing so much success because when there is a family in need, we can all come together to help them,” Rasquin said. “This has proven to be very sucessful, and together we are doing lots of preventative work with children and families, which is so important.”

Rasquin commends the volunteers at CASA First.

“Our volunteers who are working most closely with children inspire us,” she said. “We have to be resilient and stay positive and hopeful because, whatever your background, every child should be safe and every child should be supported. It’s our volunteers who get to know how much good is going on … they tell us they feel connected and have more meaning in their lives … and we all really do fall in love with the children and families.”

Rasquin said she loves her work because, “I get to swim in generous waters”. She is inviting people interested in adding more meaning to their lives to consider volunteering with CASA First.

“There is a way for everyone to help,” she said. “It’s a gift to be invited into someone’s life, … we can all put our values into practice and create a world we believe in.”

Ways to get involved:

• Court-appointed Special Advocate – Court-appointed advocacy for infants, children & youth currently in foster care.
• Abrigo Advocate – Advocacy for infants, children & youth who are not in foster care but benefit from practical support & mentorship.
• Youth Ambassador – Volunteer and enrichment opportunity for youth ages 8-21.
• Donate – Support CASA First programs through a one-time or recurrent donation.

CASA First’s Mission:

• To support and promote volunteer advocacy so that children and youth from Los Alamos, Santa Fe, and Rio Arriba counties who are trauma-impacted or system-involved can be safe, have permanent connections, and the opportunity to thrive.

CASA First’s Vision:

• CASA First envisions a safe, positive, and loving future for all children in our community.

CASA First’s Belief:

• Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and have hope for a bright future, and our maltreated children deserve the same care.

CASA First is headquartered at 466 W. San Francisco St. in Santa Fe. To learn more, call 505.820.1500 or visit casafirst.org.