The CASA Story

Inspiration came to Seattle Juvenile Court Judge David W. Soukup in 1976. Judge Soukup had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse.

That’s where the idea came from: these children, who had experienced abuse or neglect, needed trained volunteers speaking up in the courtroom for their best interests. The idea quickly spread. By 1982, National CASA had formed, and in 1990 the U.S. Congress authorized its expansion by passing the Victims of Child Abuse Act so that a “court-appointed special advocate shall be made available to every victim of child abuse or neglect in the United States that needs such an advocate.”

When you become a CASA volunteer, you are joining over 97,000 other CASA volunteers all over the nation! CASA Jeffco/Gilpin is just ONE of 948 programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Since its inception, CASA volunteers have served over 1 MILLION children nationwide. You too can make a difference in the life of a child.