Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are community volunteers who work one-on-one with children and youth in the foster care, juvenile probation, and/or truancy court systems. CASA volunteers devote a few hours a week getting to know a child, gathering information from everyone involved in the child's life, and works as part of a team for the best interest of the child or youth. Advocates help youth and caregivers access resources to meet their needs and provide opportunities for healing.
CASA of Santa Cruz County recruits, screens, trains, matches, and supervises these community volunteers to advocate for our community's youth in the Santa Cruz County Court System.
Impact Stories
When siblings Mia and Pete moved into separate foster homes, Advocate Kat helped keep them close by arranging monthly visits and making the long drive so they could spend time together. Alongside her efforts to preserve their bond, she brought moments of joy to a difficult transition through bike rides, art projects, and outings to the beach and Boardwalk.
As we move into fall and settle into a new school year, I am grateful to share with you some moments of joy and connection from the first quarter of our fiscal year. From celebrating the hard-earned accomplishments of the amazing youth we serve to gathering with friends at Imagine! 2026, there is so much to look back on with appreciation. Thank you for helping make these moments possible.
Soon after becoming a CASA Advocate a little over a year ago, Mary was matched with a five-year-old girl, Lucy*, who had been removed from her mother’s care. From the beginning, Mary understood that in order to support Lucy, building a trusting relationship with her mom would be important.
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