CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Monterey County will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025, marking three decades of dedication to improving the lives of children and youth in foster care throughout the county. Since its founding in 1995, CASA has been committed to ensuring that every child in foster care has a voice, a champion, and the opportunity to thrive.
For 30 years, CASA of Monterey County has trained and empowered community members to serve as advocates for children and youth who are victims of abuse and neglect. These trained volunteers work one-on-one with children and youth in foster care, providing them with a consistent and caring adult presence, navigating complex legal systems, and ensuring that educational, medical, and therapeutic services are provided.
“As we look back on our journey, we celebrate the thousands of children and youth we’ve served and the countless volunteers who have given their time, energy, and compassion to ensure that these children and youth have a brighter future,” said Beth Wilbur, Executive Director of CASA of Monterey County. “This anniversary marks a critical milestone in our mission as we continue to expand our services and now also support youth in juvenile justice and truancy.”
To address the increasing need, CASA will launch its “30 in 30” campaign on January 1, 2025, with the goal of recruiting 30 volunteers in 30 days for each training cohort in 2025. This initiative aims to reduce the current waitlist and ensure that children in foster care receive the critical advocacy they need.
“While we have accomplished so much in 30 years, there is still much work to be done,” said Danny Little, Chair of the CASA of Monterey County Board of Directors. “We are calling on more community members to join us in this important work. By becoming a CASA volunteer, you can help a child or youth in need and make a lasting difference in their life.”
