Contact Our Team

Marla Higginbotham
marlah@casaessex.org
862-754-4622
Executive Director

Soon Benham
sbenham@casaessex.org
862-754-4681
Program Trainer

Natalie Deo
ndeo@casaessex.org
862-754-2021
Program Director

Jess Earl
jearl@casaessex.org
862-754-4681
Grants and Policy Analyst

Cheryl Kelesoglu
ckelesoglu@casaessex.org
862-754-4475
Sr. Advocate Supervisor & Court Liaison

Deborah Lasher
dlasher@casaessex.org
862-754-4531
Data Manager

Jasmine Pender
jpender@casaessex.org
862-754-4530
Advocate Supervisor

Stephanie Phelan
sphelan@casaessex.org
862-754-4600
Operations Manager

Alexis Pugliese
apugliese@casaessex.org
862-754-2691
Recruitment & Outreach Coordinator

Julmarie Rodriguez
jrodriguez@casaessex.org
862-754-2692
Advocate Supervisor

Leslie Sena
lsena@casaessex.org
862-754-3049
Advocate Supervisor

General Information

Phone:  (862) 754-4681
Email:  info@casaessex.org

CASA for Children of Essex County
212 Washington Street - Room 912
Newark, NJ  07102

This month we want to spotlight our incredible volunteer, Heidi Gurian. Heidi has been with us for half a decade, and we are so grateful to have such a powerful and knowledgeable volunteer on our team. A tip from her for new CASA advocates is simpl
Another new class of advocates joins the CASA Essex family! Let’s hear it for these superheroes in plain clothes— they’re ready to make an impact, one child at a time! Welcome to the team! Over the past 12 months, 35 new CASA Essex
Environmental justice is child justice: a healthy planet helps raise healthy children. Children in foster care often come from communities facing disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards—such as lead, poor air quality, unsafe housing
CASA Essex invites you to a Volunteer Information Session where you’ll learn how you can help children placed in foster care by becoming a volunteer advocate. Imagine what we can achieve together! #JoinCASAessex #BeAChangeMaker #VolunteerOppor
World Hunger Day reminds us that food insecurity is not a distant issue—it’s a daily reality for too many children in our own communities. Youth in foster care are especially vulnerable. The trauma of removal is often compounded by uncer
On Memorial Day, we reflect on the sacrifices made to protect our freedoms. One way to continue that legacy is by standing up for the rights of youth in foster care—many of whom are fighting silent battles of their own. Advocacy is our promise
THANK YOU to our incredible golf outing sponsors! Your generous support helped make this event a huge success—and every drive, putt, and cheer bring us closer to brighter futures for children in foster care. We’re especially grateful to