Today we’d like to introduce you to CASA of St. Louis.
Hi CASA of St. Louis; we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello and thanks for reaching out for this profile. As the Volunteer Recruitment and Outreach Manager for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of St. Louis, I’m always excited to share information about our organization and the impact we have in our community. CASA of St. Louis started in 1980 under the guidance of the National Council of Jewish Women and eventually became a 501c(3) non-profit organization. CASA of St. Louis is a National Court Appointed Special Advocate / Guardian ad-Litem Association member. The mission is to engage highly trained volunteers to provide the best interest court and community-based advocacy for children in the foster care system due to abuse and neglect. CASA of St. Louis advocates for abused and neglected children and youth from birth through age 20 within St. Louis County and City’s juvenile courts. The vision is to foster a community where the most vulnerable children have the tools to develop the resilience necessary to survive and thrive in and beyond foster care.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working with children and youth who have suffered from abuse and neglect is never easy; however, trained, skilled, and compassionate adults must be present in their lives to help them maneuver through the court system while in foster care. Like most other businesses during the post-pandemic phase, the staff and volunteers at CASA of St. Louis have been patient in collaboration efforts with other community partners as they are in the rebuilding phase of their respective organizations. Although this has been challenging for staff and volunteers, they’ve remained steadfast in their commitment to advocating for the children and youth in the St. Louis city and county family courts.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
CASA of St. Louis engages with highly trained volunteers who advocate and speak on behalf of children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect in the foster care system. The volunteers are extremely special to the organization because they play a great part in the success of CASA of St. Louis. With the help of volunteers, CASA of St. Louis is as successful as it is today. CASA of St. Louis is different from other non-profit organizations because the focus is more on advocacy versus mentorship. The staff and volunteers collaborate and work with other community partners to gather factual information to advocate for the child’s best interests in court. In contrast, the goal is for the child to be reunified with their family; reaching permanency in a safe and stable environment, whether through reunification, guardianship, or adoption, is always the overall goal.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you? What was your favorite childhood memory?
We are always seeking to collaborate with others whether it is through our volunteerism efforts or through donations. Through the advocacy work, CASA of St. Louis hopes to provide great memories for the children and youth in the foster care system.
Pricing:
- CASA of St. Louis is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that accepts private donations. The donations go toward helping to continue the mission of advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Donations have gone towards toys and gift cards during the holiday season and to acquire necessary resources for the children and youth throughout the year.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.stlcasa.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stlcasa/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stlouiscasa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stlouiscasa/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/stlouiscasa
Image Credits
National Court Appointed Special Advocate Guardian ad-Litem Organization
