CASA of Los Angeles

CASA of Los Angeles (CASA/LA) is a passionate community organization dedicated to advocating for children and families entangled within the overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems of LA County. Through a lens of intentionality, restoration, and cultural relevance, CASA/LA empowers committed, consistent, and compassionate adults who offer equitable access to resources and nurturing connections.

Mission

CASA of Los Angeles' mission is to improve the lives of children in the dependency court system through trained, dedicated, and effective volunteer advocates who are professionally supported by experienced staff. That one day, every child in the Los Angeles Juvenile Dependency Court system has a CASA volunteer.

Core Values

1. Deep Love: CASA/LA's foundation is rooted in profound love for the children, families, staff, and volunteers involved in the child welfare system.
2. Justice: The organization works tirelessly to attain justice for children and families while striving to enhance systems that broaden access to justice.
3. Authenticity & Integrity: CASA/LA is steadfast in its commitment to its values, recognizing power structures and biases, and upholding authenticity and integrity.
4. Accountability: CASA/LA emphasizes professionalism, cooperation, and transparently measuring and reporting its outcomes.
5. Respect: The organization treats everyone with respect and diligently endeavors to earn the respect of all its partners.

CASA volunteers play a pivotal role in giving children a voice and making them feel heard. In a system where their needs and desires are often overlooked, having an attentive adult can instill a profound sense of control and self-worth that can last a lifetime.

History

The origins of CASA trace back to 1977 when a concerned juvenile court judge in Seattle recognized the need for citizen volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities. This idea grew into a network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem programs across 49 states and the District of Columbia. CASA of Los Angeles has emerged as one of the largest CASA programs nationwide, affiliated with the California CASA Association and the National CASA Association, with over 76,000 volunteers serving 251,000 children across the country.

‍