2024 Grant Recipient - CASA
CASA of the River Region (CASA)
AWARD: $100,000
FOCUS AREA: FAMILY
PROJECT: Advocacy Academy & Support Program
PROJECT IMPACT: Impact100 funds would ensure CASA can raise awareness of the growing need for new volunteers and for our mission - to ensure the community’s most vulnerable children have access to academic, medical and support services to overcome trauma and improve their well-being.
Organization Statement: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the River Region supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that abused and neglected children can thrive in safe, permanent homes. CASA gives children a voice and an opportunity to have a childhood.
Major Recent Successes:
- Judges have reported that CASA advocates have the most significant impact on promoting children’s long-term well-being.
- During 2023, 265 Jefferson County children, paired with 186 CASAs, benefitted from free advocacy services.
- In February 2024, CASA received the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement’s Service Enterprise re-certification, recognizing CASA’s commitment to excellence in volunteer engagement.
How this funding will impact this organization:
The Advocacy Academy & Support Program’s responsibility is two-fold: recruiting and training everyday citizens to be a voice for abused and neglected children; and providing ongoing supervision and continuing education to ensure volunteer advocates (CASAs) can address the diverse needs of children.
CASAs are recruited by community events, speaking engagements, and developing partnerships with civic organizations, businesses, and faith communities. Individuals must pass multiple background checks, complete the 30-hour training prior to being paired with children, and attend 12 hours of continuing education annually. CASA relies upon its volunteers to fulfill its mission and must continually recruit and train new volunteers.
Since the pandemic there has been a decline in volunteerism (nationally and locally). Currently, CASA staff also work on community engagement. A dedicated Community Engagement position could more effectively address the need for volunteers by raising awareness of CASA’s mission and increasing recruitment efforts. We estimate that in the first year, we can add 35 volunteers, each serving about 3 children per year. This would allow CASA to reduce the waitlist by 50%. Impact100 funds would ensure CASA can raise awareness of our mission and the growing need for new volunteers to protect our community’s most vulnerable children.
Wish List:
- Personal items/clothing, diapers, school supplies
- Books
- Educational resource materials
- Educational toys (pre-school) and gift cards