News & Events

All-Stars Preparing for 2010 Summer Games at Jesse Owens Stadium - June 2010

CASAS is excited to announce that the 2010 Summer Games will take place on Friday, July 30th from 9:00 am  to 3:00 pm at The Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. Over 2,000 Columbus youth ages 7-17 are expected to attend a full day of sports, enrichment, and brain game clinics and competitions.

Clinics and competitions are expected to include: hockey, soccer, fencing, archery, basketball, golf, martial arts, track and field, chess, poetry, financial literacy competitions, a science tent, and many other fun and educational activities.

Complete with live entertainment, lunch and refreshments, visits from local politicians, and awards for all participants, the 2010 CASAS Summer Games is sure to be a day to remember.

If you are interested in attending, volunteering, instructing a clinic, or learning about sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Summer Games, please contact CASAS at jharrington@as-as.org.  Thank you!

CASAS Anticipates Great New Summer Program - June 2010

During the last weeks in May, Columbus After-School All-Stars students and staff celebrated the end of the school year with barbeques, games, and fun in the sun at Mifflin Alternative Middle School, Beery Middle School, and Champion Middle School. 

Interested students will be able to attend CASAS’ brand new Summer Program at Mifflin Middle School in June and July—a flagship program that will combine academic, enrichment, and athletic programs from the school year with fun new activities and field trips.

CASAS Cleans Up on Global Youth Service Day - April 2010

Columbus After-School All-Stars hosted several exciting youth service learning events on Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 24th, 2010. CASAS staff and students joined with over 200 other youth and volunteers to help beautify three local recreation centers and parks. Walmart, who generously sponsored the projects, also brought several volunteers to lend a hand.

Participants helped pick up trash, garden, rake leaves and debris, and generally beautify and rejuvenate Barack and Krumm Recreation Centers, which were recently reopened by Columbus Recreation and Parks, as well as along the Alum Creek Trail and at Wolfe Park. 

As the Columbus Youth Service America Lead Agency for GYSD 2010, CASAS partnered with over 15 organizations to engage over 350 youth and volunteers over the GYSD weekend. Major partners included Walmart, FirstLink, which is now Hands On Ohio, Columbus Recreation and Parks, City Year’s Young Heroes Program, and the YWCA’s Bright Futures program, both of which brought many youth to participate.

CASAS’ GYSD KidFit Walk-a-thon Raises Awareness of Youth Obesity and Funds for Programs - April 2010

On Saturday, April 24th, 2010, CASAS and Program Director Derrik Pannell hosted the KidFit Walk-a-thon, a 3K scenic walk around the Berwick residential area, which, along with a neighborhood health fair, raised awareness of the importance of preventing childhood obesity.

Over 100 youth and community members came out to support the project and get some exercise and health education. Partner organizations that participated in the health fair, provided volunteers, helped fund the event, and/or provided materials, supplies or services included: Walmart, The National Center for Urban Solutions, Community Partners Youth Development Organization, The Columbus Fire Department, Radio One, The National Heart Association, Molina Healthcare, State Farm Insurance, United Healthcare, and Ohio Health.

CASAS Wins Big at 2010 Arnold Sports Festival - March 2010

On March 5, 2010, over 250 supporters, students, staff, and guests of Columbus After-School All-Stars gathered at the Hyatt on Capitol Square at CASAS' 2010 Arnold VIP Reception to celebrate our students' and programs' various achievements over the past year.  Special guests included Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Mayor Michael Coleman, City Councilman Andy Ginther, ASAS National CEO Ben Paul, former members of the Ohio State University football team, and UFC fighter Randy Couture. 

Funds were raised for CASAS' current programming sites, as well as a planned expansion into several more middle schools this year.  CASAS is extremely grateful to all of its event sponsors, including Divisions, Inc; Punch Kettlebell Gym, The Easton Community Foundation, Classic Productions, Ultimate Fighting Championship, Walmart, Crane Group, Excel Management Systems, Muscle Insider Magazine, Ozone Studios, and Ricart Automotive Group.  Thanks to everyone else who came out and supported CASAS and its students as well.

CASAS students also succeeded in the Arnold Fencing Classic.  Mr. Robbie Foley, CASAS Alum, took gold in Y12 Sabre.  Vinh Peters took bronze in Y14 Sabre, David Cornelius and Ben Rubinic each took 6th in Y16 Sabre and Y10 Sabre respectively, and Alex Rubinic took 7th in Y14 Sabre.  CASAS is extremely proud of each of our students who competed.

CASAS' Annual Arnold VIP Reception Fundraiser will take place on March 5th - March 2010

Columbus After-School All-Stars is pleased to invite you to the 2010 VIP Reception of the Arnold Sports Festival.  Please join CASAS students and staff, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, several members of the Ohio State Rosebowl Champion Football Team, UFC fighters, and other outstanding celebrities and athletes for a night of celebration to kick off the Arnold Sports Festival weekend.   Honorees include Jim Lorimer, producer of the Arnold Sports Classic and longtime supporter of CASAS, and Rose Bowl Champions, The Ohio State Buckeyes! 

This event will raise important funds to support CASAS' comprehensive after-school programming at current and future middle school and recreation center sites, as well as new programs and projects like our computer lab and service learning campaign.  

The VIP Reception will be held on March 5th from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hyatt on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus.  UPDATE: Tickets are now sold out for the VIP Reception!

The Harmony Project Helps Fund CASAS Programs - December 2009

On December 9th and 10th, 2009, a group of 100 people will perform together in the Harmony Project, a sold-out concert featuring a choir made up of strangers who joined together under the direction and vision of Mr. David Brown.  The purpose of this event is to inspire the people of Central Ohio, while raising funds for Columbus After-School All-Stars and collecting funds and toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots and Columbus Firefighters4Kids. 

More information about the Harmony Project can be found at www.harmonyproject.com. 

For the NBC4 promo, please go to http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=58905834315e102da6fd001ec92a4a0d&z=CMH.

Mohamud Dallin and Larry Dollar Welcomed to CASAS Advisory Council - October 2009

Board Members welcomed Mr. Mohamud Dallin and Mr. Larry Dollar as the newest member of the CASAS Advisory Council this September. Mr. Dallin is the founder of the New Citizen Academy, a charter middle school for Columbus’ ever-increasing Somali population. The New Citizen Academy began its second year serving Somali students this fall, and is looking forward to collaborating with CASAS in comprehensive programming and in service learning projects in the coming years. Mr. Dallin is a great source of information about the growing Somali population in Columbus and the special issues and problems that they face.

Mr. Dollar is the Market Manager for Wal-Mart, and a major player in Wal-Mart’s Community Works programs. His knowledge of corporate fundraising and passion for youth and giving back to the community make him a great asset to our organization.

One New Comprehensive Site for CASAS - September 2009

This September, Columbus After-School All-Stars opened its third program site at Mifflin Alternative Middle School to an excited and enthusiastic group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.

Site Manager Derrik Pannell and other CASAS instructors will tutor and lead students in dance, music, film, table games, kickball, basketball, double dutch, and poetry, as well as a new service learning program, in which students will join with CASAS students from other sites to create projects that will better their communities.

CASAS Named Lead Agency for Columbus - August 2009

In August 2009, CASAS was named the 2009-2010 Youth Service America Lead Agency of Columbus. Over the coming school year, we will host several service learning projects with community partners, including a large-scale beautification project on Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), April 23-25, 2010 in Columbus. Others include hosting a Health and Fitness Day, also around GYSD, where students will work to educate themselves and others about making healthy decisions; a financial literacy project, in which CASAS students will organize a day of community outreach and financial literacy education; and several community beautification projects. Students will work with CASAS partners and members of the community to renovate and beautify parks, previously closed community centers, and schools.

1,000 Students Attend 2009 CASAS Summer Games - July 2009

On July 31st, CASAS opened up the Summer Games at Jesse Owens Stadium to more than 1,000 Central Ohio children. This community-wide expo had participants learn good sportsmanship and leadership skills through golf, archery, fencing, soccer, basketball, a poetry slam, brain games, and many other sports and enrichment clinics that they might not have ever had the chance to otherwise experience. It was a valuable and fun event for participants, volunteers, staff, and sponsors alike. “It’s almost impossible to explain the electricity of this event,” noted Misty Brown of SYGMA Network, Inc., a major local sponsor of CASAS.

Mayor Michael Coleman kicked off the day with a speech and a cheer, and Columbus City Councilwoman Eileen Paley proclaimed July 31st, 2009 “Columbus After-School All-Stars Day.”

CASAS was also recognized by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for outstanding work to enrich and inspire Franklin County youth, and commended by the Columbus City Council for efforts to provide inner-city youth with sports, educational, cultural, and community-enrichment programs.

CASAS hosts United Health Care Health and Fitness Field Day - April 2009

CASAS hosted the 2009 Health and Fitness Field Day with United Health Care on April 25^th – National Youth Service Day. Approximately 30 students participated in a variety of health and fitness activities while families and friends learned about nutrition, obesity, health care, and hygiene issues. 

March Fundraiser Raises over $45,000 - March 2009

The Rising Stars VIP Reception on March 6, 2009 was a great success, ultimately raising over $45,000 in funds for this year’s comprehensive programming and events. 

Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger graced attendees with a powerful speech about the importance of after-school programming in children’s lives. CASAS students in attendance Devin Francis and Jonika Hopkins agreed as they presented Governor Schwarzenegger with a certificate of thanks from CASAS students. “Now you will have our signatures for the future when we are famous,” Devin proclaimed to the governor.

In addition, celebrity guests Josh Radnor, of CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” and Lindsay Price, of NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle” were honored for their commitment to support CASAS, including a $10,000 donation from Mr. Radnor.

CASAS staff and Board Members also welcomed an incredible number of special guests that came out to support CASAS, including Mayor Michael Coleman, Franklin County Commissioners John O’Grady and Marilyn Brown, several prominent members of the Columbus City Council and County Courts, a few Ultimate Fighting Champions, and representatives from numerous CASAS sponsors including several members of the International Chiropractors Association.