About CASA
A safe and permanent home should be every child's reality – this is the goal of the CASA program. CASA, Inc. is a non-profit, tax exempt (501)c(3) organization that trains and supervises community volunteers who advocate for our most vulnerable children – those who have been victimized by abuse, neglect or abandonment. They get to know these children and speak up for them in Court, providing timely, pertinent information to ensure that the child's best interests are served. Perhaps even more important, a child's CASA is often the only constant presence and source of comfort throughout the child's long, and sometimes frightening, journey through the child welfare system.
Volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Judge, Eighth Judicial District, as Court Appointed Special Advocates. They represent the best interests these children and are essential in realizing CASA, Inc.'s mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and to advocate for a safe and supportive environment for the children we serve.
Why is CASA Needed?
Each year in the United States nearly 500,000 children are abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families and end up playing a role in a real-life court room drama. Over 5,000 cases of child abuse were reported to Social Services in Larimer County in 2000. Many of these children also become victims of an over-burdened court system, which frequently does not have time to give detailed attention to each child who comes before it. CASA through its volunteers provides that needed attention!In 2007, 167 children were served by the CASA program. 59 volunteers gave over 4,200 hours to serve these children in need. At the same time, 56 volunteers at the two Harmony Houses gave over 4000 hours and supervised over 3,600 visitations and custody exchanges for 494 children.
How Do I Get Involved?
To become a volunteer, download the volunteer packet or call the CASA Volunteer Coordinator at 970-498-6183 to request one. Visit Volunteer for CASA for additional details.To become a donor, visit Donate and call us.
For further information Contact Us.
Community Support for CASA
CASA is a United Way agency and is grateful for generous and ongoing support from the United Way of Larimer County, Bohemian Foundation, El Pomar, Town & Country Foods, Inc., Kappa Alpha Theta of Fort Collins Alumnae Chapter, Spradley Barr, Architecture West, LLC, Sam's Club, First Bank, First National Bank, Guaranty Bank & Trust, Integrated Mechanical, LLC, Walmart Stores, Inc., the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and many other generous organizations, companies and individuals in the community.History of CASA
The first volunteer CASA program was organized in 1977 in Seattle, Washington. Because of its success, similar programs were begun all over the United States. Today CASA is a national non-profit agency with approximately 900 CASA programs in all 50 states with over 53,000 volunteers serving more than 207,000 children annually.Our program, serving the 8th Judical District of Colorado, was started by Chief Juvenile Judge John-David Sullivan and Judge William Dressel in 1984. There are CASA programs currently serving 22 Colorado counties, including Advocates for Children, CASA of Adams and Broomfield Counties, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, CASA of the Continental Divide, CASA of Mesa County, CASA of Weld County, Denver CASA, Pueblo CASA, and Voices for Children.
