Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Cheaha Region — Speaking Up for Abused and Neglected Children
More than 14,000 of Alabama’s most vulnerable children are attending court hearings, adjusting to new homes and navigating the child welfare system every day. CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for the best interests of these children.
Our goal is to provide a dedicated CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child to give them a voice and help them thrive in a safe and loving home. With your support, Together We Will achieve that goal.
Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) — Speaking Up for Abused and Neglected Children
More than 14,000 of Alabama’s most vulnerable children are attending court hearings, adjusting to new homes and navigating the child welfare system every day. CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for the best interests of these children.
Our goal is to provide a dedicated CASA volunteer for every abused and neglected child to give them a voice and help them thrive in a safe and loving home. With your support, Together We Will achieve that goal. Learn how you can help.
SPEAKING UP FOR ALABAMA’S CHILDREN!
Nick Saban, head football coach for the University of Alabama, supports Alabama CASA volunteers who make a positive impact on the lives of abused and neglected children.
Have you decided where you will be on December 15th and secured your tickets to this magical afternoon with our nationally recognized Santa, our up to no good Grinch, Buddy the Elf, crafts, treats, professional photography, and more! Join us as we fundraise for children victim to abuse and/or neglect and change lives! We will be checking your name on the nice list at the door! See you soon!
Rumor has it Mrs Claus might be there telling Elf stories
Stephanie Jane Hartdegen
Today, we celebrate SAMCO’s SIXTH generous donation to Cheaha CASA. When Sam Mousa first reached out wanting to join our fight against child abuse, we were serving roughly 150 children struggling during a pandemic. With great thanks to SAMCO’s continued commitment and support, Cheaha CASA served 382 children this year! Thank you SAMCO for changing so many children’s stories over the last few years. Please, be intentional by doing business with businesses where children matter!
This week, we were at DHR for an ISP meeting where CASA was invited to join the child’s legal team around a table and discuss what’s in the child’s best interest with the other professionals assigned to the kid.
Sitting in the waiting room, I met a little boy and his foster family waiting on another ISP and a supervised visit he was having with his momma. I offered to help them by asking who their worker was so I could connect them. The foster mom told me the DHR worker’s name, and told me thank you that she was already on her way to get them for their meeting. The little boy became anxious in his seat making sure she knew, “and Vanda is coming, too. Don’t forget Mrs. Vanda is going to be here too. Probably any minute.” His eyes were glued to the door.
The foster mother saw my CASA name tag and asked if I was with CASA, too. Before I could get out of my mouth that I was the CASA on another case at the same time, this little guy jerked his little eyes right around to me and let everyone know, “.. yeah but she’s not Vanda but she will be here because she said she was.”
I giggled and reassured him that I wasn’t taking her place. The time came and his sweet social worker grabbed the family from the waiting room and started them down the hall while she held the automatic locked door open for them.
It wasn’t long before he turned around on a swivel and yelled, “hold that door because Vanda is coming!!”
“Who is Vanda?” The caseworker asked.
“Well that’s my CASA worker. And she’s going to be here.”
Shortly after, Vanda came in on two wheels like she always does. She was able to be a nearby, warm body offering both support and comfort for this mom and child who just need a little help at reunification, and we think our corner of the world is a little bit better for it.
Dozens of more children are waiting on another advocate, and we’re holding the door for more volunteers to join us. This is our weekly reminder that all it takes is one person to make a difference, and we’re thankful this CASA is.
Vanda Holt is my hero too, little dude.
Thank you guys for your confidence in me. I went over to one of my foster homes last night to calm down a little one that was hyperventilating. He is broken. He can’t understand in his little mind why he can’t be with his mother. A child should not have to carry this burden on his own. I talked to his foster family tonight and he seems to be better.
We all need more "Vanda's" in our counties.. thank you! 🥰
I love you Vanda and I know you have a heart for these children.
Y'all are doing amazing work for these kids!
Vanda Holt is pretty awesome ❤️
Vanda Holt for the win❤️🙌
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