Jackie Casso This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. about_us

   www.archangelarts.com/about_us - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/21/2007   Last Visited: 4/21/2007

   Jackie Casso Executive Director
   
   Archangel Arts Center, Inc.

2. 2. board

   www.archangelarts.com/about_us - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/21/2007   Last Visited: 4/21/2007

   Jackie Casso Treasurer

3. 3. www.catholicherald.com

   www.catholicherald.com/article - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/22/2007   Last Visited: 11/2/2007

   In early March, his vision became a reality when an AAC board member, Jackie Casso, officially took over as executive director. Like her predecessor, Casso has taken a leap of faith to pursue this calling. She left a lucrative career as a wealth management associate for a bank, where she dealt with the top 2 percent of clientele. This was no easy decision for a single parent of an 18-year-old daughter who was accustomed to a certain way of life. But, as Casso explains, despite the financial rewards and attractiveness of her banking position, "I was at a place where I asked myself, is this all I'm going to be doing [with my life]?" So when Fernandez approached the AAC board with the idea of finding someone to replace him, Casso wondered if this was her answer.
   ...
   Initially, both Casso and her daughter were uncertain about taking such a risk, but, amazingly, both women came to the same conclusion. "It was a matter of trust that I needed to take the step and God would be there," Casso said. Now, as Casso begins what she sees as a "calling" from God, she hopes to be able to raise the level of participation and take AAC to "more efficient heights," broadcast its offerings to the community, and establish a solid financial base to support the AAC administration. Recently a four-year grant, which had enabled AAC to meet its administrative needs, ended, causing Casso to actively seek other grants to replace it. Establishing financial security for their administrative base is a priority, Casso said, but she is encouraging people who are excited about the AAC's expansion to donate funds to that effort as well. One way Casso hopes to build financial support is by developing a rapport with pastors and ministerial associations. "We will invite local churches to take us on as a mission project," said Casso, who expects to be doing quite a bit of public speaking for AAC. Casso sees herself as "head cheerleader" for the center, and, she said, "I want to open it up to the whole community and let them know this is a place to come for high-quality instruction in a positive environment." Coming from a Richmond-based church that has identified music and fine arts as its ministry, Casso felt a strong connection to the AAC's mission, so much so she was not only willing to leave her profession and take a drastic salary cut, but travel 50 miles one way to get here. "Lots of people are making sacrifices to make this happen," Fernandez said, referring not only to Casso but to the AAC's many volunteers and instructors, some of whom travel great distances to be part of this ministry.
   ...
   Fernandez, Casso, and everyone associated with AAC believe there is only one way to demonstrate the gospel message, and that is "through truly serving the needs of your neighbor."