“I love hearing the topics. It's content that would be hard for me to find on my own,” said Anna Wieser, a CASA volunteer and returning Advocate Summit attendee.
Anna was one of dozens of volunteers, foster parents, students, and community partners who gathered to strengthen their skills and deepen their impact for youth across Dane, Columbia, and Rock Counties. Participants heard from experts at Prevention and Response Columbia County (PARCC) and CAYA Clinic about preventing substance misuse, and from Canopy Center's Anti-Trafficking Initiative Lead, Brianna Bero, on how adults can help protect youth from sex trafficking.
The Advocate Summit was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Patricia J Ruegsegger Foundation, PIKE Technologies, Eggers Imprints, Beans N Cream Coffee and Jimmy John’s - partners who are committed to showing up for kids when it matters most.
“This work is hard to do, it's easier when we know that we have funding for it. It really does make an impact,” said Cheri Dvorak, CASA of Dane & Columbia Counties Program Director. "The more training our volunteers have, the better equipped they are to properly support the kids they serve.”
Helping Victims of Trafficking Find Safety
This year’s Advocate Summit topics were selected based on issues most relevant to Canopy Center’s work. Building on the major strides Canopy Center made to integrate anti-trafficking into our services last year, Anti-Trafficking Initiative Lead Brianna Bero spoke at the Summit to raise awareness, drawing on her experience in the field.
Brianna first became invested in this work in 2017, when she began serving as a CASA volunteer and advocated for a teen who had experienced trafficking. Through that experience, she recognized critical gaps in the system for supporting minors who are victims of exploitation. Since then, Brianna led Canopy Center in becoming the first CASA organization in Wisconsin to implement CSE-IT, a research-based tool to identify youth at risk of sexual exploitation.
“A lot of people don’t know what trafficking looks like,” Brianna said. "Many people associate trafficking with a dramatic abduction," she continued, "but in reality, these scenarios can often go unnoticed."
Brianna guided Summit attendees through how to identify the warning signs of trafficking, and participants discussed how challenges faced by youth in the welfare system can leave kids vulnerable to trafficking or even trapped in cycles of exploitation. She also addressed the stigma survivors face, which can make it harder to seek help. Not without hope, however, Brianna shared strategies for how advocates can show up for victims and help them find their way to safety.
Protecting Youth from Substance Misuse
Drug abuse was another timely topic: “About 85% of the families we serve in Columbia County are struggling with substance abuse,” CASA Director Cheri said. “We thought the Summit would be a great opportunity to bring in experts in that field.”
Participants first heard from Prevention and Responsive Columbia County (PARCC), an organization that advocates for prevention and supports harm reduction and treatment efforts across Columbia County. Thanks to their hands-on work in the community, PARCC shared local resources and practical strategies to promote youth well-being and reduce substance misuse.
Program Coordinator Sara McChesney discussed PreVenture, an evidence-based program that helps kids discover their strengths and improve their mental health and coping skills. “Conditions like anxiety or depression can lead kids to turn to substance abuse,” Sara said, emphasizing the importance of supporting teens’ mental resilience.
PARCC Director Bryan Blise introduced Small Talks, a campaign that encourages lighthearted conversations with kids as young as eight about the risks of underage drinking. “It’s difficult. It’s hard talking to your kids and foster kids about this stuff,” Bryan acknowledged, while underscoring the importance of early intervention.
Counselors Alexis Aney and Chloe Flesch of CAYA Clinic, the only risk-reduction psychotherapy practice in Dane County, spoke about harm reduction and offered a different approach to supporting teens at risk of substance misuse.
For teens who struggle to trust adults, simply telling them “‘don’t do drugs’ doesn’t go very far,” Chloe said.
Harm reduction includes honest education about substance use and helping teens fully understand the potential consequences. “When you educate people, it empowers them and starts allowing them to make changes,” Alexis said.
Ultimately, Chloe emphasized that advocates can best support teens by continuing to build rapport as compassionate, consistent, and trusted adults. “Research has shown that for teens who are at risk for substance misuse, suicidal ideation and other concerns, those risks are significantly reduced when there is a safe adult in their life that they trust,” Chloe said, highlighting the critical role advocates play.
PARCC and CAYA Clinic also distributed free resources, including Narcan and safety kits for volunteers looking to keep the kids around them safe.
Appreciating our Advocates
Participants were treated to delicious scones and refreshments from Beans N Cream Coffee and enjoyed savory Jimmy John's sandwiches for lunch.
They also filled their Advocate bags - tote bags generously provided by Eggers Imprints - with free toys and books to engage the kids they support.
For her Advocate bag, Anna grabbed a deck of cards to use during weekly visits with the two kids she advocates for. Through Anna’s steady presence and fun activities – Go Fish is a favorite – the kids have begun to open up to her. “We were practicing our shuffling skills earlier,” Anna said.
Fellow attendee and new CASA volunteer Elizabeth Kommes selected a coloring book, activity sheets and play putty to have on hand for future cases.
Elizabeth was inspired to volunteer after hearing about the meaningful experience her friend had with the program: “She told me how amazing it is to help children in the court system and be able to be a voice for them when there’s nobody to hear it.” As she prepares to begin her journey as a CASA volunteer, Elizabeth appreciated both the learning and connection the Summit offered. “It is wonderful meeting people who have the same passion, understanding, and drive to help children in need,” she said.
“Our volunteers don't get to share space very often, so for them to lean on one another and feel supported by the program and their peers is great,” Cheri said about the Summit.
Canopy Center thanks all participants and supporters who made this event a success. We can’t wait to bring this community back together next year to keep building knowledge, connection, and momentum for kids in our community.
