CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.
As a Law Enforcement Investigator I have witnessed the devastation and life altering trauma that is caused to children of physical and sexual abuse. The CASA volunteers provide an invaluable service to the children. They serve as the child's advocate in an overwhelming legal system and provide a much needed emotional support.
Charlie Young, Major
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office
CASA volunteers are community members just like you, who are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA will be the one constant adult the child knows as they navigate through the court system, providing much needed stability. Once appointed by the judge, CASAs research the case, review documents, interview people, and make a report to the court regarding what is in the “best interest” of abused and neglected children in terms of services, placement, visitation, reunification and permanency!
Despite the COVID-19 global pandemic, there is still a huge need for volunteers! In 2020, CASA of Midwest Kentucky, Inc. was been able to serve 128 children and close 39 cases. At this moment, we have 33 active volunteers that are serving 87 children in Hopkins, Henderson, Crittenden, Muhlenberg, Union and Webster Counties. All donations raised directly supports the efforts of our volunteers as they continue to advocate for children and families.
Below is a testimonial from a young woman whose life was positively impacted by her CASA volunteer,
"I was 7 years old the first time I was taken from my home. Foster homes came and went. Schools were here and there. Caseworkers drifted in and out of my life. After six years of placement, the court appointed Pat.
Pat came to see me quite often and called me when she couldn’t come in person. She worked with my lawyers to appeal the court’s decision. She got me visits with my old foster family, made sure I was seeing my therapist regularly, and checked with my teachers to make sure I was managing in school. She brought me newspaper clippings of youth who made it through hard times and of students who were able to get scholarships to cover their education.
I never had someone stand for me like she did. She stood before the judges, the lawyers, my mother, and caseworkers and wasn’t swayed by their opinions. It completely amazed me. I trusted her more with every visit. She became not only an advocate but a friend.
Earlier this year, I testified to a legislative committee on behalf of the CASA program. At the end of the testimony I said, “To give a child a CASA is to give them a voice. To give them a voice is to give them hope, and to give them hope is to give them the world”. As a child who was assigned a CASA years ago, I believe that with all my heart"
Please visit www.midwestcasa.org or give us a call at (270) 245-5112 (Hopkins, Webster, Crittenden, & Muhlenberg Counties) or (270) 957-5044 (Henderson Union Counites) to find out more about becoming a volunteer!
CASA's Month of Giving to Change a Child’s Story will be instrumental in providing the needed funds to continue our growth and serving the abused and neglected children that need an advocate. Please partner with us either in giving your time (volunteering) or treasury (make a donation).
