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CASA Volunteers are special people who represent the needs of children - and only the children - in court cases involving abuse and/or neglect in the 32nd Judicial Circuit.  As such, CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the judge, gathering relevant information about the child and the family, and then make recommendations to the judge regarding what is in the child's best interests.

Why does a child need a CASA volunteer?

When the court is making decisions that will affect a child's future, the child needs and deserves a spokesperson - an objective adult to provide independent information about the best interests of the child.  While other parties in the case are concerned about the child, they also have other interests.  The CASA volunteer is the only person in the case whose sole concern is the best interest of the child.  CASA volunteers are assigned one case at a time to provide a "voice in court".  A CASA volunteer gives individual attention to each case.

An abused or neglected child has come from  a world of chaos and instability.  For the child, there is fear; fear of being hurt; fear of being alone and fear about the future.  For children who are in and out of home placements, there can be many changes in schools and homes before a decision is made on where the child should live.  A CASA volunteer can be the source of stability and comfort to fill an enormous void in the child's life.  A CASA volunteer is a trusted, dependable adult who doesn't go away and who gives the child hope for a better future.

For more Questions and Answers click on Volunteer FAQ.

Pictured from left to right:
Standing: Aaron Horrell, Darlene Jennings, Robert Thornburgh, Connie Unterreiner, Pam Jenkins, CASA Case Supervisor, Larry Bill, Chris Tourville, Jeanine Hager, Heather Perreault, Pat Edwards, Shervana Small, Linda Reutzel, Pat Sweeney, Mary Lowry, Mary Ambery, Carl Boitnott, Julie Boitnott, Natalie Ricks, James Ricks.
Seated: Claire Campbell, Juvenile Officer, Sybil Walley, Sue Crossen, Jan Copeland, Sue Traw, and Carolyn Pendergrass.
CASA volunteers not pictured are Wilma Camp, Beth Brotherton, Joan Drury, Savannah Gibbar, Tonya Harrell, Candi Hill, Connie Houston, Elaine Jackson, Clarice Jones, Diane Klueppel, Sue Rees, Eileen Schlichting, Cathy Schroeder, Judy Seabaugh, and Steve Simmons.

CASA held an appreciation dinner in honor of their volunteers and their dedication to the abused and neglected children of Southeast Missouri. The event was held at Southeast Hospital with dinner followed by a few rounds of the CASA Jeopardy game. Two CASAs, Opal Aden and Eileen Schlichting, were celebrating their 13^th year as a CASA Volunteer. Opal received a heartfelt good-bye, as this was her last night with us as a volunteer. It was a great night for everyone and we are so honored to have such wonderful people doing wonderful work for the children of Southeast Missouri.

CASA will be receiving a check from Barnes & Noble Booksellers for $2,387.57.  CASA supporters purchased more than $10,000 worth of products at the bookfair held November 16-17 at West Park Mall.  We would like to give a BIG thank you to Barnes & Noble and their employees, as well as all who donated a book or a portion of their purchase to CASA.
 

On July 2, 2008 three new Court Appointed Special Advocates were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Statler. Pictured left to right are: Connie Houston, Diane Klueppel, Beth Brotherton and Judge Statler.

On July 8, 2008 Sue Traw was sworn in by the Honorable  Judge Statler.

CASA Monthly Newsletter

CASA's June Newsletter is available as a PDF document for you to download.  To download the document, click here.

Past issues of the CASA Newsletter are also available to download.  For a complete listing, click here.

Let Us Make a Presentation to Your Members

We would like to come and speak to your civic, fraternal, or community organization about our mission and goals.  Please contact us to have one of our staff or board members make a presentation to your membership.