History of CASA
The flourishing organization we know today as Advocates for Children first took root in 1985. That’s when Ann Ogg and the Junior League of Denver conceived of a three-year project that would recruit and train CASA volunteers to work with Guardians ad litem in Arapahoe County, part of the 18th judicial district. The program, then called the Guardians ad litem Project of Arapahoe County, operated on a budget of about $75,000 and comprised 50 volunteers with a single part-time employee staffing the office.
The Junior League of Denver recruited the first Board of Directors to oversee the project. They also offered funding and technical assistance in marketing, public relations, and promotional materials. They helped conduct the first training class and volunteer recognition events. In 1988, the Junior League gracefully relinquished its role in managing the agency, leaving control in the capable hands of the Board of Directors.
In 1989, two part-time staff members were brought on board to handle fundraising, public relations, volunteer training, and management. The first full-time executive director was hired in 1991.
In 1988, the organization’s name was changed to Arapahoe Advocates for Children. In 2000, the name changed again simply to Advocates for Children, in recognition of the agency’s growing reach throughout the 18th judicial district, with representation in Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties.
What began as a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with one part time employee has now grown into a thriving organization with a staff of 15: ten full-time and six part-time employees. The staff oversees the efforts of roughly 300 volunteers each year who serve approximately 700 children annually, contributing a total of more than 26,000 volunteer hours to the community.
A CASA is a volunteer from the community who wants to help find a safe, permanent, nurturing home for a child who has been a victim of abuse or neglect. CASAs aren’t required to have a legal background to become a volunteer, but before becoming a CASA, they must undergo 30 hours of comprehensive training and pass a rigorous screening process.
Advocates for Children needs volunteers to help with a wide range of opportunities each year. If you’d like to help us behind the scenes, consider these volunteer opportunities:
•Help out at our annual Home on the Range event for children during the summer months.
•Provide support at our annual golf tournament in the Fall.
•Volunteer to help out at our annual fundraiser, The Red Wagon Ball, each October.
•Provide clerical support in the office
•Assist with research or compiling statistics
•Technical support with our computers
•Do you have specialized skills in other areas? We’d love to hear from you!
For more information: Advocates for Children
Fundraiser information: Red Wagon Ball