Monterey, CA – December 5, 2024 – CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Monterey County will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025, marking three decades of unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children and youth in foster care in Monterey County. Since its founding in 1995, CASA of Monterey County has worked tirelessly to ensure that every child and youth in foster care throughout the community has a voice, a champion, and the opportunity to thrive.

For 30 years, CASA of Monterey County has recruited, trained, and empowered community volunteers to serve as trusted advocates for children and youth who are victims of abuse and neglect. These trained volunteers work one-on-one with children and youth in foster care, providing them with a consistent and caring adult presence, navigating complex legal systems, ensuring that educational, medical, and therapeutic services are provided, and advocating for the young person’s best interests.

“We are incredibly proud to have made such a significant impact in our community over the past three decades, and more grateful than we can say to the hundreds of volunteers who have served the children and youth who needed them,” said Beth Wilbur, Executive Director of CASA of Monterey County. “As we look back on our journey, we celebrate the thousands of children and youth we’ve served and the countless volunteers who have given their time, energy, and compassion to ensure that these children and youth have a brighter future. This anniversary marks a critical milestone in our mission as we continue to expand our services and now also support youth in juvenile justice and truancy.”

To commemorate this milestone, CASA of Monterey County will host a series of special events throughout 2025, including a 30th Anniversary kick-off event in partnership with the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce on January 23, 2025, and a community celebration on April 30, 2025. These events will bring together supporters, community leaders, and CASA‘s dedicated volunteer advocates to celebrate CASA’s successes and raise awareness about the ongoing needs of the populations that we serve.

The nonprofit organization is also using the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to expand its reach, recruit new volunteers, and raise funds to support its critical programs. As the need for CASA volunteers continues to grow, CASA of Monterey County is seeking individuals who are passionate about helping children and youth and committed to making a difference in their community. On January 1, 2025, we are launching a 30 in 30 campaign to recruit 30 volunteers in 30 days, which will help cut our current waitlist in half and ensure that children and youth receive the critical advocacy they need. Will you join us? Go to casaofmonterey.org/become-a-casa to learn more!

“While we have accomplished so much in 30 years, there is still much work to be done,” said Danny Little, Chair of the CASA of Monterey County Board of Directors. “We are calling on more community members to join us in this important work. By becoming a CASA volunteer, you can help a child or youth in need and make a lasting difference in their life.”

Since its inception, CASA of Monterey County has trained over 1300 volunteers and helped thousands of children and youth in foster care navigate their journey to safety and stability. The organization is committed to ensuring that every child and youth has a voice in decisions that affect them and that they have access to the support and resources they need to build a brighter future.

For more information about CASA of Monterey County’s 30th anniversary celebrations, how to become a CASA volunteer, or how to support the organization’s mission, please visit casaofmonterey.org.

About CASA of Monterey County

Mission: To recruit, train, and support community volunteers who advocate for children and youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system. To uphold children and youths’ rights and pursue a safe and permanent home while providing the support, empowerment, and resources needed to heal and flourish into adulthood.

Vision: To provide advocacy to all Monterey County children and youth in foster care and the juvenile justice system, with a diverse group of community volunteers, to help break the cycle of abuse and neglect by influencing systemic change.

Contact information Website: www.casaofmonterey.org

Phone: 831-455-6800

Email: susanna@casaofmonterey.org