CASA Of Kosciusko County Celebrates ‘30 Years Of Changing A Child’s Story’
CASA Of Kosciusko County Celebrates ‘30 Years Of Changing A Child’s Story’
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Staff Report-
CASA Of Kosciusko County Celebrates ‘30 Years Of Changing A Child’s Story’Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kosciusko County announced the 30th year of changing the story for abused and neglected children in Kosciusko County through advocacy.
The local CASA program was first established in 1990 when Judge Robert Burner sought help from the local Altrusa Club to get the program started. In 1992, after two years of laying groundwork, 18 individuals graduated the training and became the first volunteer advocates. In the past 30 years, the number of volunteers, board members, and staff have grown and shaped the organization into what it is today, according to a news release from CASA of Kosciusko County.
CASA has been under the leadership of five executive directors. Chuck and Anne Dorgan worked to build community support and get the organization established in the community. In 1995, under their management, the organization received nonprofit status as a 501(c)3 and officially became CASA of Kosciusko County Inc.
The Dorgan's handed over the reins to Sally Mahnken in 1998. In Mahnken’s 14 years of guidance, the program became a respected organization in the courthouse seeing growth in the number of volunteers and the number of children CASA could advocate for, the release states.
In 2012, CASA’s fourth executive director, Mackenzie Cloutier, began working to expand the program further and raise community awareness. CASA added staff positions to accommodate growth and offer more support to the many volunteers. With Mackenzie’s leadership, CASA’s Annual Holiday Festival also grew exponentially in both fundraising and the community’s support of CASA’s mission.
CASA’s fifth and current executive director, Erin Rowland Jones, began in 2020 and she is eager to continue CASA’s growth, the release states.
To celebrate this milestone, CASA looks forward to a year of reflection mixed with continued dreaming. CASA will start the year by featuring the 30th anniversary in their annual meeting on Jan. 21 where CASA will announce big plans for June. CASA will continue to highlight the 30-year anniversary throughout the year, including at the Annual Holiday Festival. CASA invites anyone who has interacted with CASA through the years to share their story at casachildren.com/contact.
For more information or to apply to become a volunteer, visit the website at casachildren.com or call 574-372-2401.
