Providing a voice to our youngest community members, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Michigan (CASA), is announcing the opening of their new office located at 53 W. Wall St., Benton Harbor. A special ribbon cutting ceremony will be held Wednesday, October 16th at 3:00 p.m. with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
Founded in June 2016, CASA of Southwest Michigan is part of a national network of over 950 CASA programs across the United States. Their mission is to provide highly trained community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in foster care. Since inception, they have trained over 120 volunteers and served more than 325 children across Berrien and St. Joseph Counties. However, there is still much work to be done, as every year approximately 200 children enter foster care in Berrien County due to extreme abuse and neglect.
“CASA of Southwest Michigan plays an indispensable role in our community by ensuring that vulnerable children have a dedicated advocate in their corner during some of the most challenging times of their lives,” says Arthur Havlicek, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber President & CEO. “Their commitment to service and justice not only impacts the children they serve, but also strengthens the entire child welfare system.”
Relocating to a nearby space, allows the CASA team to be in close proximity to the Berrien County Courthouse and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) office, allowing their team to better serve the community and meet the needs of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
“This milestone reflects the collective impact of our donors’ enduring generosity, our supporters’ passion, and our Board of Directors’ strategic guidance. Their combined efforts form the bedrock of our progress,” said Kate Rendell, Executive Director of CASA of Southwest Michigan.
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in 2023 there were over 591 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Berrien and St. Joseph Counties, and 310 children were placed in foster care. As CASA expands their efforts to serve the region, they need community support in a number of ways including: volunteering, donations, or simply spreading awareness, every contribution makes a lasting impact on the lives of local children.
Under the CASA model, every child assigned to their program is supported by a two-person team: a dedicated CASA volunteer and a CASA volunteer coordinator. Volunteers undergo over 30 hours of pre-service training before being appointed to a child’s case by a Family Court Judge. Each volunteer visits their assigned child every 7-10 days or monthly if the child is placed outside the county, ensuring that these vulnerable youth have a consistent, caring advocate who can help them navigate the complex foster care system.
Research consistently shows that children with a CASA volunteer spend less time in foster care and are more likely to find permanent homes compared to those without a CASA. Judges who work with CASA volunteers overwhelmingly agree that CASA volunteers positively influence court decisions and improve outcomes for children and families. In fact, nearly 99% of judges surveyed nationwide believe that CASA volunteers enhance their ability to make the best possible decisions regarding a child’s future.
Locally speaking, CASA of Southwest Michigan’s program volunteers dedicated nearly 3,000 hours to youth in foster care last year alone, providing services at an approximate cost of $1,800 per child. As an organization, their goal is to ensure that every child in need is matched with a CASA volunteer and ultimately finds a safe and permanent home.
“This relocation breathes fresh energy into our mission of equipping our dedicated volunteers, whose tireless advocacy transforms the lives of youth we’re privileged to serve,” Rendell added.
To learn more about their mission, volunteer, or donate, please visit www.CASASWMI.org or follow them on Facebook at @CASASouthwestMichigan.
