Overview
CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time—and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

The Need
Last year, our 50,000+ CASA and GAL volunteers advocated for 225,000 children—an impressive number yet just half of the children in the child welfare system at any given time. Our volunteers are an amazing force for good, but we need more of them. Our vision is that every child who needs a volunteer will have one. With your help, we can reach that goal.

In LaPorte County during 2005 CASA represented 203 children closed 96 cases and opened 66 new cases. This was done with 64 total volunteers who volunteered over 5,500 hours.

Volunteer Commitment
In the work of child advocacy, we may spend half a day negotiating to see that a child's special needs are met. We may make 14 phone calls in search of an aunt who has not been heard from in six years. Or we may talk to a parent who has made no progress with a rehab program. We may become frustrated and angry and overwhelmed. But we do not stop. We do not give up. This advocacy in all of its persistence, diligence and commitment is what it takes for children to have a chance at a safe, permanent home.

The Volunteer
People who give their time to CASA advocacy come from many different places. Some have years of education and professional experience working for children and families. Some have themselves grown up in the foster care system and felt the sorrow of having to move from home to home. But most are ordinary people who flourished in a warm and loving family, never once imagining that there were children who did not have caring parents.

What do Judges Expect from a CASA?
Hear from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

What do children say about their CASA’s?
Watch the video “Making a Difference”