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
As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, we are incredibly grateful for the community support that has allowed us to expand the populations of youth in the community we serve as part of our three-year strategic initiatives.
Gloria’s favorite place was the plant nursery. The first time she and her Advocate Jeri went, Gloria spent two full hours wandering in awe among the rows of plants, asking endless questions, taking everything in, and marveling at the beauty around her. Before they left, she even got to bring home a plant of her very own.
When CASA of Santa Cruz County stepped into truancy advocacy, there was no roadmap, only a shared commitment to supporting youth and families who needed support in a new and complex space. We were so grateful that several Advocates were willing to explore the unknown with us, including CASA Advocate Alan.
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