Statements
Mission
Wilson County CASA provides trained volunteers who advocate in court for the stability and healthy development of abused and neglected children.
Background
Wilson County CASA is part of a larger, nationwide organization, the National CASA Association. Found in 1977 by Judge David Soukup in Seattle, CASA exists to ensure all children who are child abuse victims have a a voice in court. In 1997, the National Bar Association issued a formal resolution endorsing CASA. In Tennessee, CASA is supported by TCA 37-1-149. Wilson County CASA began as a steering committee in December 1987, secured a building in 1988, and began serving children in 1989. Wilson County CASA was under the direction of three executive directors before hiring Lee Lyle in February 1992. Lyle served as executive director for Wilson County CASA from 2/3/92 until 2/3/06. Under Lyle's direction, the CASA program in Wilson County grew from three advocates serving six children in 1992, to 21 volunteers serving 74 children (2006-Lyle's retirement). Lyle provided not only a solid foundation for volunteers, but a strong financial foundation as well. In 2006, Laura Swanson was promoted to Executive Director and was in that position until December 2014. In December 2014, Cathey Sweeney was hired as the Executive Director and is still in that position. In fiscal year 2022-2023, Wilson County CASA served 183 children with 53 active volunteers.
Impact
From 7-1-2022to 6-30-2023, 53 Wilson County CASA volunteers provided advocacy services to 183, but CASA programs are about more than just a number served. Studies have shown that children with CASA volunteers are less likely to reenter the foster care system than children who do not have a CASA volunteer. Studies have also shown that children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to be adopted than those without. Not just this program, but CASA programs as a whole are vital to the community and Wilson County CASA has been fortunate to have solid community support to continue the service to the community. The program has grown tremendously over the past few years. For example, during the 2005-2006 fiscal year seven new volunteers were trained. During the 2018-2019-year, CASA had 91 (up 6 Advocates from the previous year) active volunteers. Growth could occur without significant community support. Wilson County CASA is fortunate to have a donor base that is unwavering. Whenever there is a fundraiser, there is a core group of supports that can always be counted on to support the organization. When our Executive Director came in December 2014, her first goal was to increase awareness of CASA in our county. The local county newspaper, The Wilson Post, holds an annual event of 'The Besties Awards'. For six consecutive years Wilson County CASA was in the top 3 of 'Best Non-Profits'. In 2016 our Executive Director was named Women of the Year by the Wilson Post and in 2018 was named Wilsonian of the Year by the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce.
Needs
1) volunteers-Currently, Wilson County CASA is in need of dedicated volunteers who will serve as advocates to children for one year or longer. With an increase in volunteers, additional children can be served. 2) office supplies-Wilson County CASA is always in need of office supplies such as paper, pens, toner, post-it notes, binders, etc.3) Financial support from our community and friends is needed to add a Full time Program Director. We have a part time position in place now. According to National CASA standards, 1 Program Director should only supervise 30 cases each. Our 2 full time Program Directors are supervising 30+ cases each, with a current waiting list of 2 cases. An additional full time person is needed to handle the growth.
CEO Statement
Wilson County CASA is the only organization in Wilson County that advocates for child victims of abuse and/or neglect. Since the inception in 1987, Wilson County CASA has grown from having only a handful of advocates available to children to now more than 58 volunteers with a longevity rate of 2 years, the national average for CASA volunteers. The CASA volunteer's involvement becomes essential in expediting the child's case through the judicial system. Children often lack continuity in Department of Children's Services (DCS) case managers, experience delays in foster placements, and their individual best interests become buried in the mechanisms of an overburdened system. All impeding their placement in a permanent, stable, loving home. Often times, the CASA volunteer is the only constant in the lives of these children. The CASA volunteer can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child. Wilson County CASA provides the opportunity for caring adults to become actively involved in meeting the needs of the abused, neglected, and abandoned children in our community. Those who choose to become CASA volunteers are truly unique. As a child enters the foster care system, there is a judge, his staff, a DCS case manager, several attorneys, parents, and sometimes a therapist or two just to name a few. The CASA volunteer is the only person who is involved in this child's life who isn't paid (or mandated by law) to be a part of the child's life. The CASA volunteer is there because he wants to be there. Armed with a court order and a caring heart, CASA volunteers do all an extraordinary amount of work, all without compensation, to ensure a child's voice is heard in court. I am honored to be a part of an organization where ordinary people can do extraordinary things for children.
Board Chair Statement
It has been an honor to serve on the board of Wilson County CASA since January, 2023. The commitment from the staff and the volunteers to the well-being of neglected and abused children of Wilson County is exceptional. There is no doubt that every child which passes through the Wilson County CASA system receives a positive life changing experience. It has been a pleasure and honor to serve as President of Wilson County CASA in 2023.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Crime & Legal - Related - Protection Against Abuse |
| Secondary Category: | Human Services - Children's and Youth Services |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
The entirety of Wilson County
| TN - Wilson |
