Welcome to CASA
Mission Statement:
A passionate and powerful voice - CASA El Dorado's trained and court-appointed volunteers advocate on behalf of abused children and at-risk youth. Together with our community's involvement and generous support, we will positively impact the lives of our children.
What We Do:
When children are abused or severely neglected, they must rely on adults to help them obtain justice and services. Who deserves an advocate more than an abused or neglected child? That is the intent of the social service and Family Court systems, but all too often these systems are fraught with escalating caseloads and reduced resources...
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Helping Kids Who Need it Most
Budget Cuts Could Cost 54 Local Youths Their Advocate
Excerpt from The Mountain Democrat, September 25, 2011
Over 900,000 children are victims of child abuse each year in the U.S. Between four and five of them die every day. Victims are usually infants or toddlers.
Without help, the survivors of neglect and abuse can fall through the cracks of a complex foster and juvenile legal system. Half of foster youth become homeless within 18 months of exiting the system. They face much higher than normal chances of drug and alcohol abuse, violent crime, incarceration and teen pregnancy. Fewer than 1 percent graduate college.
CASA El Dorado serves over 400 kids each year. Currently 247 children have an advocate, with 16 on a waiting list, according to Executive Director John Adams. But proposed budget cuts could deprive about 50 children of their advocate. “That’s 50 children who currently depend on what is in many cases the one positive adult influence in their lives, an important mentor who provides them a voice as they navigate the foster care system,” said Adams. (Continued)
Special Thank You
CASA El Dorado would like to thank the people, clubs and businesses that help make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children in our county:
- Coleah & Louis Mansour
- John & Perla Lewis
- Joan Rochelle Fund
- Vern & Cyndee Pierson
- Kristin Conner
- Jose C. Henriquez & Kim Demongey
- Chris & Julio Feri
- Afsheen & Tara Mostofi
- Soroptimist Int'l of Cameron Park
- Randy & Jacque Lintecum
- Julie Bottarini
- Tahoe Youth & Family Services
- Debi Harlow
- Commissioner Neil & Mary Shepherd
- Pete & Robin Bernardoni
- Diane & Jim White
- Katy & Don Peek
- Ron & Kelly Briggs
- Beth & James Carlsen
- The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
- Stella & Berto Berti
- Kevin Dougherty
- South Lake Tahoe Rotary Club
- Raymond Sidney
- Ellen & Andy Dauscher
- Sharon Morrison
- Claudia Cypher
- Bill & Susie Davies
- John & Alexis Wenstrup
- Debra & Michael Steeves
- Mike & Trudy Neal
- Laura & Brad Clark
- Paul & Cherie Norton
- South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club
- Jeri & Gary Lardy
- James & Mary Clark
- Scott & Lynne Petty
- Peggy & Don Vanderkar
- Jim Ellsworth & Mary Dedrick
- Sam's Club Foundation
- Gael Barsotti
- Steve & Leslyn Shortes
- Thomas & Jean Makris
- Intel Foundation
- Pat & Kathy McClain
- Susan & Lynn Dorsey
- Craig Halterman
- Dennis Calmes & Jeani Buckmaster
- Roger & Sandra Nordby
- Greg Poth
Our next event!
Friday February 3rd from 6:00pm until 10:00: CASA presents our 5th annual “CASAblanca at the Lake” at the beautiful Edgewood Golf Resort in Stateline NV (South Lake Tahoe area). Read all about it on our events tab!