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Illuminating Hope for Children in Foster Care CASA for Kids Seeks Volunteers for Spring 2026
Every child deserves a safe, loving home and a caring adult who listens. But for many children, that sense of community is shaken by experiences of abuse or neglect.
In 2022, more than 550,000 cases of child abuse and neglect were substantiated across the United States, with more than 360,000 children living in foster care. In Washington County, more than 200 children are currently navigating life in foster care— each with their own story, challenges, and hope for a brighter future. That’ s where CASA for Kids comes in. CASA— short for Court Appointed Special Advocate— recruits, trains, and supports community members to serve as best-interest advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Appointed by a judge, CASA volunteers get to know each child’ s story, help ensure that their needs are met, and speak up for their best interests in court.
“ CASA volunteers bring consistency and compassion into a child’ s life at a time when everything else may feel uncertain,” says Kelley Swift, executive director of CASA for Kids.“ They are the voice for the child in court, and often the one steady presence that follows that child through every change and challenge.”
On Oct. 30, CASA for Kids celebrated the swearing-in of its newest class of volunteers. Each one took an oath before the court to advocate for children in foster care. The moment marked the end of their training, but the beginning of a journey filled with purpose, hope, and connection.
CASA volunteers collaborate with caregivers, teachers, medical professionals, and caseworkers to understand each child’ s unique situation. They take their observations and recommendations to the judge, helping to guide the decisions that shape a child’ s future. Their voices work to ensure that no child’ s educational, medical, or emotional needs are overlooked in an overburdened system.
There’ s a common misconception that children are automatically safe once removed from an unsafe environment, but too often they still face uncertainty, multiple placements, and a struggle to access the care they need. That’ s why CASA volunteers matter so deeply— they help fill those gaps by providing individualized attention, making sure each child’ s needs are prioritized, and offering hope through consistent, caring advocacy.
CASA for Kids is currently seeking volunteers for its Spring 2026 Training Cohort, which begins the first week of March. The eight-week program meets once weekly in the evening through virtual sessions, with a final in-person gathering at CASA’ s office. Training covers child development, the child welfare system, family dynamics, and how to advocate effectively in court.
Every child deserves to have someone fighting for their best interests. Will you be that someone? Join CASA for Kids and help“ illuminate hope— one child at a time.” To learn more, make a gift, or apply for the upcoming training cohort, visit casawashington. org.
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