After two decades of tireless work to further the mission and values of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County, a local nonprofit serving children in foster care due to abuse and neglect, Executive Director, Ann Marie Foley Binsner has announced that she will be departing from her role at the end of October. “As I reflect on my 21 years serving foster children 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.”
CASA 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, the hired Binsner. She served as the leader of the organization from the very first case and has overseen the growth of CASA 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. Monumental 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.
- CASA receiving the 2015 Governor’s Award for Service for our volunteer program
- Being named “Champion for Children” by the Child Welfare League of America
- CASA/Prince George’s County being named “One of the Best” nonprofits in the region by the Catalogue for Philanthropy.
- Leading 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.
The non-profit’s second annual World of Wheels for CASA: A Touch-A-Truck and Family Festival will take place Saturday, Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at DeMatha Catholic High School (4313 Madison St.,Hyattsville,Md.20781).Photo of 1958 Mac truck
Batman, himself, will appear with the Batmobile from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Maryland National Capitol Park Police Prince George’s County Mounted Division will be on hand throughout the day.