The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Christian County dissolved in July of 2024 following a vote by the board of directors. However, the organization’s services are now provided by CASA by the Lakes and those members highlighted how the community can support their mission at Thursday’s Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club meeting.
CASA is national association that supports and provides a voice for children going through the court system who may have experienced abuse or neglect and do not have a permanent home. CASA by the Lakes started in Calloway County in 1997 and expanded to Marshall County in 2007 before coming to Christian County late last year.
CASA by the Lakes Executive Director Jessica Foust and Christian County Advocate Supervisor Nancy Carter presented at Thursday’s meeting. In 2024, Foust shared that 566 petitions were issued across the three counties for cases concerning alleged child abuse or neglect.
Foust says CASA was able to serve 129 children in those cases with the help of 46 volunteers.
Carter says they currently have five volunteers in Christian County and are searching for more. Following the disbandment of the original CASA group, Carter says they are rebuilding and want the community to know that they are alive and thriving.
Before folks can be volunteers, Foust says they must complete a 30-hour training program over the course of six weeks. Volunteers also don’t need a specific career or education background to join.
Then when it comes to funding, CASA receives some grants from the Kentucky CASA Network, but offices across the state are also responsible for fundraising. To support the Christian County office and make its mission known, Foust says they have two events coming up, a trivia night at the Hopkinsville Brewing Company on October 22 at 6:30 p.m. and a Door Hanger Paint Party at The Book and Bottle Shop on November 6 at 5:30 p.m.
More information about CASA by the Lakes and the organization’s volunteer opportunities can be found at casabythelakes.org.