April salsa sales to fight child abuse

Throughout the month of April, the Tortilla Flat restaurant, 501 N. Walnut St., will be sponsoring "Salsa for CASA," a program in which portions of proceeds from the sale of Tortilla Flat's fresh salsa will be donated to the local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. This is to honor Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. \nBecky Wann, an owner of Tortilla Flat and a member of the board of the Family Service Association, said she was happy to support this event for children. She said child abuse and neglect is far more pervasive and intense than the general public is aware.\n"This is something we can do, and everyone in a community should do something," Wann said. "People do not realize what is actually going on in a small town such as Bloomington. We are in a similar situation as Los Angeles or Chicago." \nMerrill Hatlen, executive director of administration at Family Service Association of Monroe County, said 45 children died from alleged abuse or neglect last year alone. The organization is fighting hard against child abuse here in Bloomington to help out these innocent children.\nHatlen described the purpose of CASA as an "advocate on behalf of neglected children."\nMonroe County CASA is affiliated with the National CASA Association based in Seattle, Wash. that promotes court-supervised advocacy programs for abused and neglected children. The Monroe County CASA is a program of Family Service Association of Monroe County. \nJill M. Jolliff, director of the Monroe County CASA, said she recruited and trained volunteers to operate the CASA program. \n"Volunteers get to know children, gather information and report to the court what is exactly happening to children with specific recommendations," Jolliff said. "They are officers' eyes and ears of the court." \nThe CASA's major goals include ensuring children are not repeatedly abused and their siblings do not experience similar ordeals, as well as making families learn from their fatal mistakes. \nIn recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Monroe County CASA performed a walk and candlelight vigil on April 18. \nThe Tortilla Flat is located at 501 N. Walnut, and the salsa can also be found at Bloomingfoods, Mr. D's and Kroger stores in Bloomington. \nLocal restaurants also serve the Tortilla Flat's salsa, including Bear's Place and Nick's English Hut. \nStores in Indianapolis carry the salsa, including Wild Oats, located at Nora Plaza; Atlas supermarkets, located at 54th Street and College Avenue; and Mr. D's, located at Stop 11 and South Madison Avenue.\nThose interested in volunteering for the Monroe County CASA should call 339-1551 and ask for Ms. Stacy Wilson at extension 15 or Ms. Sandy Rampley at extension 23.