Sophisticated Giving: CASA of the River Region, Presented by Kentucky Select Properties

SOPHISTICATED GIVING: CASA OF THE RIVER REGION

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the River Region has been providing trained volunteer advocates to vulnerable children in greater Louisville for 35 years. A child served by CASA told her volunteer, “You are the bestest big person in my world ever!”

CASA serves children who have been living in unsafe homes that failed to provide adequate food, clothing, healthcare or supervision. Children see their CASA as a friend and mentor; someone they can depend on. For most of these children, a CASA is the consistent adult lacking in their everyday lives. CASA volunteers ensure children have services to improve their quality of life, break the cycle of abuse, and provide strong adult relationships to prepare them for a positive future.

CASA of the River Region is designated as a Service Enterprise, a certification by Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. This prestigious accomplishment has been awarded to only 11 percent of non-profits in the nation. By achieving this level of excellence and certification, CASA of the River Region is now better equipped to leverage the time and talent of volunteers to better meet their mission.

This comes during an especially critical time as Kentucky leads the nation in child abuse and neglect cases for the second year in a row. Because schools have been closed, teachers and coaches, often the first to spot abuse, have not be interacting with at-risk children. Child welfare experts say the number of child abuse incidents is most certainly on the rise and CASA needs to be prepared for what these experts say is presenting the child welfare system with the most serious challenge it has ever faced.

A teenager said, “My CASA was different than other adults. She sat with us. She listened. My mom even said that she was the first person to talk to her like a person. Most people wanted to get rid of her, but the CASA made time. Because of her, I have a future with my mom. You don’t ever really think about how much sitting with someone could mean. How a few minutes of treating someone like they have value can change their life.”

A CASA volunteer can change a child’s story. Learn more www.casarr.org/casa101