As one of the January 2024 Serve Virginia Honor Roll honorees, Richmond Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) works to ensure that children don’t face the courts and foster care system alone. CASA volunteers (CASAs) advocate for what is in the child’s best interest and help to reduce the time a child spends in the court system and/or in foster care. They advocate for children to make sure their preferences and needs are being heard by those who are responsible for making decisions.

CASAs spend time with the child and speak to relatives, service providers, teachers, and social workers to gather information that will help them make recommendations to the court. Based on what they learn, Richmond CASA volunteers advocate for services that promote healing and strengthen families.

CASA volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. Their advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin if that can be safely achieved. CASA volunteers recommend services aimed at keeping families intact or returning children safely to family members. When that is not possible, volunteers work to help the child reach another safe and stable forever home.

Interested individuals don’t need to be legal professionals or social workers to make a difference for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers are members of the community, from all walks of life, who are motivated by the understanding that every child deserves a safe, loving home. They are screened and trained so that their steadfast advocacy can ensure that a child’s situation is understood and their voice heard.

Many CASAs feel that the relationships built with the children they serve is their motivation. Their cases are complicated and require a lot of time and effort, but spending time with the kids puts it all in perspective. “I am a CASA because I want to be a voice for children,” shares one Richmond CASA. “The song ‘Bless the Beasts and the Children’ had a huge impact on me growing up, because they don’t have a choice, they don’t have a voice. Being able to look at the circumstances from the eyes of the child and communicate that to the adults in their life gives me a chance to give them a voice. I want to see them thrive despite their circumstances. Being a CASA is like investing with exponential returns.”

Another big motivator for CASAs is family reunification. There are so many little wins to be celebrated along the way until a CASA can help a child achieve permanency. These little wins keep many going, and the joy of finding a permanent, safe placement makes it all worth it. Another Richmond CASA says, “I serve as a CASA to bring stability to a child during a tumultuous time in their life. A child navigating trauma faces numerous challenges, and being a reliable companion and trusted friend can make a positive impact.”

Richmond CASAs served 230 children in Richmond’s legal system last fiscal year. Their program is always looking to bring in more court advocates and take more cases. Statistically, kids who have CASAs have better life trajectories and higher levels of hope.

The Serve Virginia Honor Roll celebrates the valuable contributions of volunteers across the Commonwealth. In recognition of the service provided by over 2.2 million Virginians, the Serve Virginia Honor Roll spotlights the volunteers that serve their communities in a variety of ways, promoting quality of life and creating a lasting impact for others. Learn more »