Winnebago County CASA

09/10/2026

🌱 Thank you for joining us at our 2026 Fall Conference, Rooted in Advocacy: Planting the Seeds of Strength!

We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to learn and strengthen their skills in supporting the well-being of children and families. CASA advocates provide consistent support to children who have experienced abuse and neglect, and continued learning helps us better serve the children who need us most.

💙 A heartfelt thank you to our speakers for sharing their stories, experiences, and knowledge with us. From the life-changing impact of a consistent support system to the dangers facing our youth and the importance of su***de prevention, each speaker reminded us that the support we provide today can change the course of a child’s life. Their messages reinforced why it matters to listen, show up, and ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Every young person deserves someone who believes in them, stands beside them through uncertainty, and helps them see a future full of hope.

Theresa Collins - Beacon Organizational Consulting
John DeMay - Child Exploitation and Online Safety Advocate
Laura Kane - Marshmallow’s Hope
John Papiernik and Sara Tusler - Youth Services Network

⭐️ Thanks to 2026 Fall Conference Sponsor: Kjellstrom Family Foundation

& of course THANKS to 17th Circuit Therapy Dog Volunteers Inc. ! 🐶🐾

-
🌱 Inspired to make a difference? Winnebago County CASA is always looking for caring community members to become Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in foster care. No prior experience is necessary. We provide the training and support you need to get started.

📩 Contact our team to learn more about becoming a CASA advocate!

08/10/2026

🌱 TOMORROW! Rooted in Advocacy: Planting the Seeds of Strength

We’re excited to welcome advocates, professionals, and community partners to our 2026 Fall Conference tomorrow at Rockford University!

Get ready for a full day of inspiring speakers and opportunities to connect as we explore how we can strengthen advocacy for children and families in our community.

🎟 Last Chance to Join Us!: https://casarootedinadvocacy.eventbrite.com

📅 October 8
📍 Rockford University – Regents Hall

Here’s what’s on the schedule:
🌱 Check-in & morning refreshments
🎤 Welcome & introductions
💬 Speaker: Theresa Collins
💬 Speaker: John DeMay
🍽️ Lunch & networking
💬 Speaker: Laura Kane, Marshmallow’s HOPE
💬 Speakers: Sara Tusler & John Papiernik, Youth Services Network

We can’t wait to learn how we can plant seeds of strength together. 💙

05/10/2026

🌱 Meet Our 2026 Fall Conference Speakers!

We’re excited to welcome an inspiring group of advocates and professionals to 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 this Thursday, October 8!

✨ Theresa Collins – Founder & Principal Strategist, Beacon Organizational Consulting
✨ John DeMay – Parent Survivor | Advocate & Speaker Online Harms & Child Exploitation
✨ Laura Kane – Founder & CEO of Marshmallow’s Hope
✨ – Sara Tusler & John Papiernik

Together, they’ll bring lived experience, professional expertise, and meaningful perspectives on advocacy, youth, families, and the systems that support them.

📅 October 8, 2026
📍 Rockford University | Regents Hall
🎟️ Free to attend | Lunch provided - Register online at https://casarootedinadvocacy.eventbrite.com
📚 Continuing Education Credits & Professional Development Hours available

Join us for a day of learning, connection, and meaningful conversation. We’d love to see you there

01/10/2026

Nominate Winnebago County CASA by October 25th! ❤️

Official 2026 Community Voting Awards Platform for Rockford, IL. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

06/09/2026

We’re so excited to announce that we’re featured in Target Circle™!

📲 Vote for us in the Target app to direct Target funds that support our work (Ends September 30, 2026)

1.) Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
2.) Tap ‘Cast votes'
3.) Find us & vote! 💙

04/09/2026

🌱 Rooted in Advocacy: Planting the Seeds of Strength 🌱

Join Winnebago County CASA for our 2026 Fall Conference. Hear from inspiring speakers who will share expertise and lived experiences on how we can strengthen the voices of those we serve, and create meaningful change.

✨ Inspiring speakers
📚 CE Credits & Professional Development Hours
🍽️ Lunch provided
🤝 Meet fellow advocates & community partners
🎟️ FREE to attend!

📅 October 8, 2026 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM
📍 Rockford University – Regents Hall

👉 Register on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-casa-fall-conference-rooted-in-advocacy-planting-seeds-of-strength-tickets-1997903380794?aff=oddtdtcreator

17/08/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day 💙 Today, we’re celebrating something that means so much to us! Winnebago County CASA is made possible by the people in our community who believe every child deserves a voice..

This National Nonprofit Day, choose a way to support Winnebago County CASA and help make sure no child faces the foster care system alone.

💙🔗 Ready to make a difference?
Visit https://www.winnebagocountycasa.org/ to take the first step toward supporting a child in our community. Every act of support makes a difference.

15/08/2026

Happy 815 Day! ❤️ A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by today’s Rock Yard Pancake Breakfast! 🥞 We’re so grateful to the Rockford community for showing up and supporting CASA’s mission to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and help ensure they have the best possible outcome.

We couldn’t have done it without our one-armed chef, Ron Clewer, Past CASA Board Chair! 👨‍🍳 A special thank you to GoRockford | Illinois and the entire Rock Yard team for helping make today such a fun and successful event.

Proceeds from today’s breakfast will support CASA’s work to recruit, train, and support Court Appointed Special Advocates who speak up for children in the child welfare system. Thank you for helping us make a difference, Rockford! 💙

12/08/2026

🥞 Join us at the RockYard Pancake Breakfast this Saturday and help make a difference for children in foster care. ❤️

Proceeds from the breakfast will help support Winnebago County CASA and our mission to provide trained court advocates for children who need a voice in court.

📅 Saturday, Aug 15, 2026 | ⏰ 7:00AM - 9:00AM | 📍 Davis Park
🎟️ https://tinyurl.com/ynh72rkp

We hope to see our CASA supporters there! Help us continue providing advocates for children who need them most. 💙 Thank you, RockYard Music Fest, for supporting CASA and the children we serve! Rockford

28/07/2026

𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐀 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬. Without enough advocates, children in foster care may have to wait longer for the dedicated support and voice they deserve.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬!
Visit https://www.winnebagocountycasa.org/apply-to-volunteer to learn more and complete your application today.