Happy Summer!!

For those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Tanya Susoev. As an undergraduate at USD, I worked in the CASA office in a number of areas including Youth to College, the Teen Center, and in developing the Color Your World project. Although I have stepped away for some time to teach English at University City High School, I am excited to return to the office and work with all of you in the year ahead. I also feel VERY privileged to have been accepted to the Peace and Justice Studies program at USD and will begin this adventure in August. I have been so thankful for the opportunities that my work and education have provided me to learn, grow, experience, travel, build relationships and be inspired that the possibilities for what the future will bring are ones that I simply cannot wait to understand. Working for peace and spreading the love, Tanya.

Hola from Cara

Hello my name is Cara Mcmahon. I am beginning a masters degree in global development and social justice through St. John's University and will begin studies this summer in Rome, Italy. I am planning on travelling to Spain and then onto my ultimate origin of Dublin, Ireland, where a majority of my family live. I'm really excited for the next year and to return to USD, a place I worked at for 6 years prior to my most recent position. Ibelieve the next year will bring a great deal of work, but the kind that will inspire and be fruitful. I'm really looking forward to meeting all the CASA students and spending time with those who share in my passion for social change through awareness and education. Many have quoted in the past, "nothing changes if nothing changes." I have seen so much that needs to change in the world and to be a part of community who work for change and believe in the hope of the labor, is a place I want to be. Thank you for having me and I look forward to meeting you all in the fall. -Peace Cara!

Greetings from Brenna

Hi everyone! I sure miss seeing all of your smiling faces in CASA! It’s been a real challenge to be one of two audience members for Chris’s “jokes” (thank goodness Maria is here!). On the bright side, I think I’ve perfected my courtesy laugh! :) My summer is going very well! We’re hoping to teach our dog how to surf with us, but right now she’s afraid of the waves, so we’re taking this one step at a time. We also just celebrated David’s “golden” birthday, and as you know, the best gift for a NASCAR fan is a NASCAR driving experience! We went home to Las Vegas on May 31 and David got to drive a real NASCAR – pretty amazing! Other than that, we’re looking forward to a fun summer of graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, and most of all, a big WELCOME BACK for all of you! If you are around San Diego at all this summer, be sure to stop by and say hello. Hope you are all having fun, staying safe and gearing up for an amazing 08-09 school year!
-Peace and love always,Brenna

Hello from the CASA/CSL Crew

Greetings folks-happy summer! The CASA/CSL crew is busy getting ready for the school year. Many of you know that Maria Torretto was scheduled to be one of the CASA graduate assistants. We are excited to report that Maria was hired full time by University Ministry to provide pastoral care counseling to law and graduate students. While we are sad to lose her, we wish Maria well.

But do not fret, we are lucky to have Tanya Susoev re-join us. Many of you know Tanya (USD class of 2008) as the coordinator of our wonderful mural program! Tanya was accepted into the IPJ peace program and we are lucky to have her as our graduate assistant.

So we hope you all are having a great summer, get some much needed rest and relaxation and check this blog every so often for updates. Take care.

Chris