Michigan Casa Inc

Imagine you are a 9-year-old girl. Last week, they had an assembly at school. They talked about “bad touching.” They told you and the other students to tell. Tell. So you did. You went to your teacher and you told her all about your mom’s boyfriend and what he did when he came into your room late at night.  Your teacher listened. She had tears in her eyes. She believed you. That made you feel better.  

Tonight, two people you never met before came to your house. They helped you pack a few things—some shirts and jeans, underwear and shoes, and your favorite stuffed toy—into a plastic bag. Then they brought you here. To this strange home with more strange people. You don’t know when you’ll see your mom again. Or your baby brother. You don’t know if you’ll go to school tomorrow. You don’t know if your teacher will be there. You wonder what you did, what was so bad, to make this happen.  

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) exists to advocate for children who are made wards of the court because of abuse or neglect—children like the one you just imagined. Michigan CASA is a network of and support to 27 regional CASA sites in the state. These sites recruit, screen, and train volunteer community members to speak for children’s best interest when their cases are heard in court. These committed volunteers befriend and stand by children during this most difficult time in their young lives. You can help! Become a volunteer or donor and together we can change children's lives.