Prince George’s County Executive Director Steps Down after 21 years of Service

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County Executive Director Steps Down after 21 years of Service After two decades of tireless work to further the mission and values of Court Appointed Special  Advocate (CASA) of Prince George’s County, a local nonprofit serving children in foster care due  to abuse and neglect, Executive Director, Ann Marie Foley Binsner departed from her role at the end of October. “As I reflect on my 21 years serving children in foster care in Prince George’s County, I am reminded of our mission of Changing Children’s Stories,” Binsner says. “CASA does that every day for so many children, but I realize that CASA has changed my story as well."The CASA program in Prince George’s County is a rapidly expanding nonprofit that recruits, trains, and matches volunteers from the community with children who have suffered from abuse and neglect to support them throughout  their journey in foster care. When CASA’s Board of Directors garnered grant funding to hire the first Executive Director, they hired Binsner. She served as the leader of the organization from the very first case and has overseen the growth of CASA of PG County for over 21 years and 800 cases. During her tenure with CASA, Binsner has been the driving force behind CASA’s growth and success as an organization. Noteworthy moments include: 

• -Spearheading the creation of an LGBTQ+ Task Force, the first of its kind in Maryland. 
• -Being named Kappa Alpha Theta CASA Program Director of the Year by the  National CASA Association.
• -Receiving Prince George’s Community Foundation Bridge Builder Award.
• -Received the 2015 Governor’s Award for Service for PG County’s volunteer program.
• -Being named "Champion for Children" by the Child Welfare League of America.  
• -CASA/Prince George’s County named “One of the Best” nonprofits in the  region by the Catalogue for Philanthropy. 
• -Successfully led 928 CASA volunteers to serve nearly 800 children in Prince George’s  County. 

“Serving this organization for all of its 21 years is a source of tremendous professional pride and I am grateful to every volunteer, partner, donor, Board Member, and staff who has given 100% in support of the children and youth served. I know CASA’s success is due to each and every one of its supporters, and I am grateful to have been part of it,” Binsner says. Binsner’s vision and leadership will be greatly missed by the staff, board, and community supporters alike. Over the next several months, the Board will conduct a thorough search to find CASA/Prince  George County’s next Executive Director. CASA’s Deputy Director, Kara Bundy, will serve as Interim Executive Director until a permanent Executive Director is hired. It is the Board’s priority to find a dynamic leader with a true passion for CASA’s mission to change children’s  stories across Prince George’s County.  About Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George’s County, Inc. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George's County is a volunteer-based  organization that partners with the juvenile court to improve the lives of children living in foster  care who have suffered from abuse and neglect. With a strong commitment to diversity, CASA  trains and supervises volunteers from the community who advocate for the best interest of children, recognizing and respecting each child's individual needs. By providing a voice to  children in the foster care system, CASA’s goal is to help children and promote the timely  placement of those we serve in safe, permanent homes.  To volunteer with CASA of Prince George’s County, call 301-209-0491 or go to www.pgcasa.org.  For more information or to schedule an interview with Interim Executive Director, Kara Bundy, email: kbundy@pgcasa.org