n 2023, CASA continued our path to incredible, sustained growth.
We served 303 children on 190 cases. This represents the most
children and most cases ever served in a single year! We had 149
volunteers active and assigned to cases during the year, which is also a
new record for us.
We celebrated the high school graduation of ten young people
and served as Educational Decision Maker for 145 children, two
achievements that matched our previous records, set in 2022.
Our volunteers continue to be remarkably consistent. Although the
average length of child welfare involvement for children served was 27
months, 79% percent of the children whose cases closed in 2023 had
only one advocate during their entire time with CASA. This consistency
is a critical component in the work we do. Fourteen of our experienced
advocates are participating in our Peer Mentor program, providing hands-
on support and guidance to new volunteers. Fifty of our advocates
celebrated more than 5 years of service – of those, 12 have more than
10 years of service under their belt!
Our Voices for Children team continues the work of engaging with
elected ofcials and policymakers throughout the year, including
holding the first-ever Legislative Education and Advocacy training to
give advocates the tools they need to push for improvement of the
child welfare system. The Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods
work, designed to reduce and intervene in gun violence in youth, is well
underway.
We continue to center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all of our eforts.
From the big picture to the “little things,” CASA met the needs of our
youth this year. Our CASA Cares fund fulfilled 27 requests for nearly
$7,000 for concrete needs including groceries, transportation assistance,
furniture, phone plans, clothing and shoes, health and hygiene products,
baby gear, senior fees and prom attire, academic/professional fees, bikes
and arts and crafts materials. Our Holiday Gift Drive was our most fruitful
ever and the MLK Day of Service Older Youth Needs Supply Drive was a
tremendous success.
We Celebrated
the high school
graduation of 10
children – tying
our record for the
most high school
graduates ever in
a year.
YOUTH
VOICES
COUNCIL
Youth Voices Council
hit its one year
anniversary in October
2023! Nine former
CASA youth were
engaged last year.
6
Cultural Humility
community trainings
were facilitated by
Tamara Wilson, our Director
of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion, with over 800
participants.
2023 ACHIEVEM