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:
- Beth & James Carlsen
- Pete & Robin Bernardoni
- John & Alexis Wenstrup
- Roger & Sandra Nordby
- Jose C. Henriquez & Kim Demongey
- Sam's Club Foundation
- Stella & Berto Berti
- Joan Rochelle Fund
- South Lake Tahoe Yacht Club
- Raymond Sidney
- Kristin Conner
- Tahoe Youth & Family Services
- Ellen & Andy Dauscher
- The Morrison & Foerster Foundation
- Sharon Morrison
- Pat & Kathy McClain
- Bill & Susie Davies
- Diane & Jim White
- Chris & Julio Feri
- Claudia Cypher
- South Lake Tahoe Rotary Club
- Mike & Trudy Neal
- James & Mary Clark
- Thomas & Jean Makris
- Laura & Brad Clark
- Jeri & Gary Lardy
- Katy & Don Peek
- Paul & Cherie Norton
- Greg Poth
- John & Perla Lewis
- Steve & Leslyn Shortes
- Dennis Calmes & Jeani Buckmaster
- Soroptimist Int'l of Cameron Park
- Debra & Michael Steeves
- Susan & Lynn Dorsey
- Jim Ellsworth & Mary Dedrick
- Ron & Kelly Briggs
- Afsheen & Tara Mostofi
- Craig Halterman
- Commissioner Neil & Mary Shepherd
- Vern & Cyndee Pierson
- Julie Bottarini
- Kevin Dougherty
- Peggy & Don Vanderkar
- Scott & Lynne Petty
- Intel Foundation
- Gael Barsotti
- Coleah & Louis Mansour
- Randy & Jacque Lintecum
- Debi Harlow
Our next event!
Thursday, April 26th CASA presents our 16th annual “CASA Kids Box Lunch” at the Diamond Springs Fire Fighter Hall. Read all about it on our events tab!