Bartlett has been instrumental in advocating for and supporting the mission of CASA. As a State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida, he has spoken on CASA's behalf and supported the implementation of the Family Justice Center since its conception three years ago. His efforts have been vital in ensuring that court sentencing is established and strengthened for survivors of domestic violence. This improves batterer accountability and reduces the likelihood that repeat violence will happen or that violence will escalate.
The grant tonight will be used to support the mission of CASA. CASA is a nonprofit organization that provides safety and sanctuary to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Specifically, funding will be used to update current facilities to better fit the needs of those they serve. Additionally, they will expand the services they provide, helping over 3,000 survivors of domestic violence over the next 12 months.
Bartlett became the 544th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $29.57 million to more than 700 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
