Linda Bixby (left), resource development manager for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and her dog Joey join Anne Munson, CASA advocate, and Allison Turner, administrative coordinator, Monday in front of CASA’s new home, 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville.

Court Appointed Special Advocates has purchased a home in Watsonville.

The pink, 3,500-square-foot, two-story colonial at 813 Freedom Blvd. will provide offices for CASA’s eight-member staff, space for visits from children and their advocates, and room for special events. CASA, a nonprofit, serves children throughout Santa Cruz County.

The group bought the home at auction on April 13 for $395,010. Executive Director Nancy Sherrod said the group had been eyeing the property for about a year. It was offered as a short sale, but went back off the market when nobody bid on its more than $800,000 asking price.

The 17-year-old agency currently has offices at the former site of Watsonville Community Hospital on Green Valley Road, but the space is cramped and CASA can’t really accommodate its diverse needs. Sherrod said that, in addition to housing staff, the new site will have a home-like atmosphere where advocates will be able to bring children and relax. They will have room to read books, work on homework or just fix a snack between planned activities.

For the complete article see the 05-12-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 05-12-2009 paper.

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