Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers make a life-changing difference for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Our volunteers are the superheroes these children need and deserve. Our volunteers “Change a Child’s Story!”
Plant Pinwheels for Prevention - plant HOPE!
Thanks to CCPS students and other members of our community, we CRUSHED our goal and filled our windows with 260 colored pinwheels to raise awareness of child abuse and its prevention. But pinwheels are’t only for April! If you’d still like to color one, please click here for the pinwheel coloring sheet
About CASA
CASA of Caroline, Inc. will advocate for the best interest of all abused and neglected children who are in the Caroline County court system through no fault of their own. As empowered by the Circuit Court of Caroline County, volunteer advocates will be trained to make assessments and recommendations to the court on behalf of these children.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build the youth for our future.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Volunteer
Learn about ways you can “Change a Child’s Story”!
Donate
Every dollar you give helps to “Change a Child’s Story”!
News & Events
Find out what’s happening at CASA of Caroline, including information on Pinwheels for Prevention!
The CASA Story
Inspiration came to Seattle juvenile court judge David W. Soukup in 1976. Click here to view Judge Soukup’s rendition of the history of CASA
Judge Soukup had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse.
That’s where the idea came from: These children, who had experienced abuse or neglect, needed trained volunteers speaking up in the courtroom for their best interests.
It Was a
Judge’s Idea
News and Events
Holiday 2020 Volunteer Appreciation
Denton - Volunteers are the backbone of CASA of Caroline. While it's not possible to fully express our gratitude for these local superheroes, we honor them every year at our Holiday Dinner. This year, as a result of the pandemic, we had to look outside the box to...
Bullying Prevention
Denton - October is National Bullying Prevention Month. CASA of Caroline has partnered with Character Counts Mid-Shore, Caroline County Family YMCA and Caroline County Public Schools to raise awareness around prevention of bullying and cyberbullying. "Character...
CASA Volunteers Sworn in During Stay-At-Home Orders
Denton - On Wednesday, June 10, CASA of Caroline proudly welcomed three new Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Newell. Sworn in were: Ann Anthony, Julie...
CASA in Caroline County
In 2003, over 300 cases of abuse or neglect were investigated by the Caroline County Department of Social Services.
Approximately 50 children were in foster care at the end of that year. Each child who was removed from their parents’ home was involved in a lengthy court process. A group of concerned citizens recognized the need for someone to watch out for the best interest of foster care children. Spearheaded by then Circuit Court Judge J. Owen Wise, who had seen firsthand the positive results of CASA advocacy, CASA of Caroline became operational in September 2003.
It was akin to introducing a foreign language. Most people thought any child in the juvenile court system must have done something wrong to be there. One of the first hurdles was getting people at large to accept the fact that the children CASA deals with are victims and are part of the juvenile system due to no fault of their own. It remains a hurdle to this day.
Circuit Court Judge J. Owen Wise
“Although the concept of CASA was firmly rooted in other states across the country and other counties in Maryland, its introduction to Caroline County was a challenge. “
Donate
DONATE TO HELP CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE IN CAROLINE COUNTY
With your financial support, CASA can continue to recruit, train and support dedicated volunteers to advocate for child victims of abuse and neglect who are too young to speak for themselves during the complicated maze of legal proceedings. Every donation TRULY makes a difference in a child's life!
Please click the "Donate" button OR send your donation to:
CASA of Caroline, Inc.
114 Market St., Suite 100
Denton, MD 21629
Community Partners
Community partnerships are vital to our work. They provide the resources that are essential for meeting our mission to provide a trained volunteer advocate for every child in Caroline County foster care due to abuse or neglect. We are looking for like-minded businesses and organizations who are willing to make an annual commitment to CASA of Caroline and the children of our community. Please click here to view our Partnership Program Brochure To learn more about becoming a CASA of Caroline Community Partner, please call Amy at 410-479-8301 or e-mail casacaroline100@gmail.com.
Make a Financial Contribution:
Become a Community Partner
We believe strong communities build strong families. Community Partners make a commitment to the children of Caroline County by providing us with financial support as well as the opportunity to meet and connect with folks who are interested in taking our training course and becoming the person who makes a real difference in a foster care child's life. Partnership Program Brochure
Make an In-Kind Donation:
- Office supplies like copy paper, file folders, etc.
- Non-perishable food and beverages to be used during trainings.
- Gift cards for gas or restaurants that our CASA's could use during their visits with their child
- Gift cards or items for the auction at our annual fundraiser.
Other Ways to Support:
- Host an event such as a car wash, bake sale, etc. to benefit CASA of Caroline.
- Shop AmazonSmile and designate CASA of Caroline as your charity of choice.
- Invite us to come present to your group, organization or workplace.
- Stay connected with us by signing up for our newsletter and e-mail updates.
Get In Touch
Call
(410)-479-8301
carolinecasa@verizon.net
Address
114 Market Street, Suite 100
Denton, MD 21629
Fax
(410) 479-8302
Holiday 2020 Volunteer Appreciation
Denton - Volunteers are the backbone of CASA of Caroline. While it's not possible to fully express our gratitude for these local superheroes, we honor them every year at our Holiday Dinner. This year, as a result of the pandemic, we had to look outside the box to...
Bullying Prevention
Denton - October is National Bullying Prevention Month. CASA of Caroline has partnered with Character Counts Mid-Shore, Caroline County Family YMCA and Caroline County Public Schools to raise awareness around prevention of bullying and cyberbullying. "Character...
CASA Volunteers Sworn in During Stay-At-Home Orders
Denton - On Wednesday, June 10, CASA of Caroline proudly welcomed three new Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who were sworn in by Circuit Court Judge Jonathan Newell. Sworn in were: Ann Anthony, Julie...
Pinwheels For Child Abuse Prevention
CASA of Caroline, The Caroline County YMCA/Mentoring Program and Caroline's Agape Project are joining together to support Pinwheels For Prevention, a campaign to promote awareness of child abuse. Pinwheels are the national symbol for the great childhoods all...
Child Abuse Awareness Month: Pinwheels For Prevention
"April, 2021
Denton - April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. This year's national theme, Thriving Children & Families: Prevention with a Purpose, recognizes the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment. During the month of April and throughout the year, CASA of Caroline is encouraging our community to increase awareness about child and family well-being, and work together to implement effective strategies that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
Please show your support and increase awareness of child abuse by "planting" a pinwheel in the Denton Community Garden during the first weekend in April. Pinwheels were chosen as the national symbol for Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention because they are a lighthearted and whimsical reminder of childhood and they represent our vision for a world where all children grow up happy, healthy, and prepared to succeed in supportive families and communities. Pinwheels will be available beginning Friday, April 2 at: Patti's Petals, Joviality, The Foundry, Purple Peake, and other locations around the county. Please check back here for a complete list. Thank you to this year's pinwheel sponsors, Denton Rotary and Purple Peake!
If you're a crafty person, try creating your own pinwheel display using the instructions on this page! We are also asking for children in the community to help "plant hope" and fill our CASA of Caroline windows with pinwheels. Please use the coloring page below and send it to us using the instructions at the bottom of the coloring sheet. It will take 240 pinwheels to fill our windows so please "Help Plant Hope"!
We have also developed a full month of activities for you and your family to raise awareness and help prevent child abuse by supporting and encouraging healthy family activities. Please check out our calendar and find the activities that you and your family will enjoy doing together. The most important thing we can do to help children thrive is to support families before they reach a crisis. Please join us in this month-long effort to end child abuse and "Change a Child's Story"!
