CASA of the Fourth Judicial District - Anderson/Coffey/Franklin/Osage

06/24/2026

A child who is angry may really be carrying fear. A child who shuts down may have learned that speaking up wasn't safe. A child who struggles in school may be carrying burdens much heavier than any backpack.

Many of the children served by CASA are facing things no child should have to face—abuse, neglect, family instability, trauma, and uncertainty about what tomorrow will look like. The behaviors we see aren't always telling us who they are. Often, they're showing us what they've been through.

When we choose compassion instead of judgment, patience instead of frustration, and understanding instead of assumptions, we make room for healing.

Every child deserves someone who looks beyond the behavior and sees the child underneath—someone who recognizes their strength, their resilience, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward.

That's the heart of what CASA volunteers do. They stand beside children when life feels uncertain. They make sure their voices are heard. They remind them that while their past is part of their story, it does not have to determine their future.

Most importantly, they give HOPE.

Hope that someone cares.
Hope that their voice matters.
Hope that tomorrow can be better than today.

For a child who has experienced trauma and uncertainty, HOPE can change everything.

https://givebutter.com/giveHOPE2026

06/22/2026

❤️🤍💙 CASA Across the Fourth Has Officially Begun! ❤️🤍💙

We're excited to announce the very first host of our CASA Across the Fourth traveling awareness display!

A huge THANK YOU to Central National Bank in Burlington (Coffey County) for partnering with CASA of the Fourth Judicial District and helping us spread awareness about the needs of children in foster care throughout our communities.

For the next two weeks, visitors to Central National Bank can stop by our CASA display to:

💙Learn what CASA is and how volunteers advocate for children in foster care
❤️ Pick up information about becoming a CASA volunteer
🤍 Learn ways to support local children and families
💙 Take home brochures and contact information to share with others

If you're in the Burlington area, we encourage you to stop by, check out the display, and learn more about how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in the life of a child.

Thank you, Central National Bank, for helping us kick off this exciting new community awareness initiative and for investing in the children of Coffey County and the Fourth Judicial District!!

Visit the display at:

Central National Bank
201 S 4th Street
Burlington, Kansas 66839

Dates: June 22nd to July 3rd

Interested in hosting the CASA Across the Fourth display at your business, church, school, or organization? We'd love to hear from you! Email [email protected] or call 785.229.8996.

06/22/2026

We're excited to launch a new community awareness initiative - CASA ACROSS THE FOURTH" - that will travel throughout Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, and Osage Counties!

"CASA Across the Fourth" is a traveling awareness station featuring:

💙 A CASA banner
💙 A pinwheel bouquet representing happy, healthy childhoods
💙 Information about becoming a CASA volunteer
💙 Resources and ways to support children in foster care

We're looking for public spaces (like local businesses, churches, schools, libraries, healthcare offices, banks, community organizations, etc) who are interested in "adopting" the display for two weeks at a time.

As a host, you'll help spread awareness about the needs of children in foster care and the vital role CASA volunteers play in advocating for their best interests. We'll provide everything you need—all you have to do is display it in a visible location and help us share the message!

As a thank-you, participating hosts will be recognized on our social media pages and become part of our growing network of CASA Community Partners.

Interested in hosting? Send us a message on Facebook, email us at [email protected], or call us at 785.229.8996.

Together, we can ensure more people in our communities know how they can make a difference for local children.

💙 Because EVERY child deserves a safe, permanent, and loving home. 💙

06/18/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the incredible team from AEO Ottawa KS DC who volunteered their evening helping us inventory donations last night! ❤️

Seven awesome employees (one being our very own CASA volunteer, Kyle!) rolled up their sleeves to help us organize our children’s clothes closet—sorting clothes by gender, size, and season—and toy shelves.

CASA keeps clothes on hand for children of all ages for many reasons. These clothes are available to the children we serve who, at the time of removal and disruption don't have time to grab all of their things, or perhaps experience growth spurts while in the state's care. Additionally, we partner with the schools and local law enforcement agencies, making our closet available for the children they serve as well. We also like to keep lots of toys and books and art supplies on hand for our CASA volunteers to give their appointed children for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions because we want these children to know they deserve to be celebrated.

American Eagle—your help matters, and we are so grateful. 💙

06/17/2026

Every child we serve has a story, a voice, and a future that matters.

Yet children in the foster care and court systems are often known by case numbers, court dates, and reports rather than by who they truly are. During some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives, it can be easy for a child's voice to get lost in the process.

At CASA of the Fourth Judicial District, we believe every child deserves more than a case file—they deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. Our volunteers take the time to build meaningful relationships with the children they serve, listening to their hopes, fears, and dreams while advocating for their best interests in court and beyond.

We work to ensure that no child becomes just another name or number, but is recognized as a unique individual with strengths, needs, and a future worth fighting for. For many children, a CASA volunteer is the one consistent adult who remains by their side through uncertainty, reminding them that they matter and that their voice deserves to be heard.

Your support helps provide trained advocates who bring compassion, stability, and hope to vulnerable children. Together, we can ensure that no child is overlooked, forgotten, or left to navigate the system alone.

If you would like to make a donation to help further our mission of placing a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer in the life of EVERY child who needs one, you can do so by following this link: https://givebutter.com/givehope2026

Of course, you can also mail checks directly to: CASA, 315 S Main Street, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.

Thank you SO MUCH for your support.

06/16/2026

Every child we serve has a story, a voice, and a future that matters.

Yet children in the foster care and court systems are often known by case numbers, court dates, and reports rather than by who they truly are. During some of the most difficult and uncertain moments of their lives, it can be easy for a child's voice to get lost in the process.

At CASA of the Fourth Judicial District, we believe every child deserves more than a case file—they deserve to be seen, heard, and valued. Our volunteers take the time to build meaningful relationships with the children they serve, listening to their hopes, fears, and dreams while advocating for their best interests in court and beyond.

We work to ensure that no child becomes just another name or number, but is recognized as a unique individual with strengths, needs, and a future worth fighting for. For many children, a CASA volunteer is the one consistent adult who remains by their side through uncertainty, reminding them that they matter and that their voice deserves to be heard.

Your support helps provide trained advocates who bring compassion, stability, and hope to vulnerable children. Together, we can ensure that no child is overlooked, forgotten, or left to navigate the system alone.

If you would like to make a donation to help further our mission of placing a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer in the life of EVERY child who needs one, you can do so by clicking the link: https://givebutter.com/givehope2026

Of course, you can also mail checks directly to: CASA, 315 S Main Street, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Thank you SO MUCH for your support.

By Casa of the Fourth Judical District Inc

06/10/2026

What an incredible surprise!!! 😍

A huge THANK YOU to the United Way of Franklin County, KS for their surprise presentation of a $1,500 donation to support CASA's mission here in Franklin County!

We are especially grateful to the generous people of Franklin County whose United Way contributions made this gift possible. Your kindness and commitment to our community help local organizations, like CASA, continue making a difference every day. Together, we're building a stronger, more caring Franklin County. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ❤️

06/09/2026

LOOK AT HOW FAR WE'VE COME!!! 🎉🎉🎉

In April 2023, CASA of the Fourth Judicial District had 4 volunteers serving 5 children.

Today, we have 13 volunteers serving on 29 cases.

That's 13 people who said "yes" to showing up for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. That's 29 cases where a child has someone making sure their voice is heard and their best interests remain the focus.

I am incredibly proud of how much this program has grown in just a few short years. Every volunteer, donor, community partner, board member, and supporter has played a role in helping us get here. ❤️

The growth is exciting, but what matters most is what those numbers represent: more children receiving the advocacy, consistency, and support they deserve.

We're celebrating today—but we're not done yet. We have children waiting for a CASA volunteer - 4 in Coffey County and 3 in Osage County.

THANK YOU for believing in this mission and helping us build something that is making a real difference for children across Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, and Osage Counties.

Here's to continued growth... to more volunteers stepping forward... to more children finding their voice... to more young people knowing they don't have to navigate difficult circumstances alone. 💙

If you are interested in learning more about how to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate, get in touch with us to schedule a 30-minute Volunteer Info Session. You can call 785-229-8996 or email [email protected] or simply comment on this post and someone from our office will reach out.

06/03/2026

You don't need a law degree, social work background, or special expertise to become a CASA volunteer. You just need a heart for children and a willingness to learn.

Over six weeks, we'll cover everything from the foster care system and courtroom procedures to trauma-informed advocacy, communication skills, report writing, and community resources.

You'll hear from local experts, ask questions, and gain the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for a child in foster care.

We'll provide the training. You'll provide the voice a child needs.💙

Training begins July 22. Join us and discover how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.

For more info: Volunteer Pre-Service Training Begins!!