Light of Hope is our traditional community fundraiser that has historically hosted over 400 people. We partner with the CAPstone Child Advocacy Center for this Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Event! CASA and CAPstone are both nonprofit organizations and depend on grants and private donations. We appreciate the continued support and encouragement we received from businesses and individuals in our area.
Our speaker this year is Sasha Neulinger, a male survivor of multi-generational sexual assault. Sasha established a Voice For The Kids, “… founded on the idea that with proper support in confronting trauma, children can discover for themselves that their trauma is not what defines them.” Sasha had the unique opportunity to objectively view his childhood as an adult by watching home videos. The videos included happy moments, but also included red flags that things weren’t quite “right” within extended family relationships. Sasha, a film director, produced REWIND to process his trauma, raise awareness, and give hope to others.
“Sasha believes survival is a bar set too low. Survival can be a chapter, but he believes there is so much more to life than just surviving, and his life is proof of that.”
–Voice For The Kids
Sasha’s perspective is unique, and the male experience of childhood sexual assault is often overlooked. Because of this, we are excited to offer two events to the community this year! The first event is an educational opportunity to watch the REWIND movie at The Midwest Theater (1707 Broadway, Scottsbluff, NE 69361) and participate in a Q&A with Sasha on August 31, 2022, at 7:00 PM. Please note that this movie contains some graphic descriptions of childhood sexual assault. The second event is our annual Light of Hope fundraiser at the Gering Civic Center on September 1, 2022, as a Business After Hours Event (5:00-7:00 PM, the speaker starts at 5:45 PM) with the Chamber of Commerce. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. The speaker will start at 5:45 PM, so if you don’t get off of work until 5, you can still join us! You can sponsor our event prior to 8/15 by going to casaofscbcounty.com/light-of-hope-sponsors. If you were not invited to attend by a Table Captain, you can RSVP to either or BOTH events at Light of Hope RSVP Form or by contacting Monica at CAPstone (308) 632-7274.
Donations will be used to recruit, train, supervise, and retain volunteers for the CASA program, and to supplement mental health counseling needs for non-offending caregivers whose abused or neglected children are seen at CAPstone. Donations can be made by check, cash, or at the “donate” link below. All proceeds are split evenly between the two organizations.
Health Information: The event booklet will be available online. We will have tables spaced further apart from each other, hand sanitizer will be available, and hors d’oeuvres will be served by committee members rather than individual attendees. Attendees are also welcome, but not required, to wear a mask. If you are not feeling well, we ask that you please stay home. If you are unable to attend in person, we would greatly appreciate your consideration of making a donation.