For children in the court system, life is full of uncertainty. With the help of organizations like CASA of West Central Illinois, more children in our region are finding a steady, trusted voice to stand by their side.
Through everyday people volunteering their time, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of West Central Illinois provides children who are navigating the court system with something simple, yet incredibly important: someone who consistently shows up, listens, and stands by them.
“During a case, a child may have fifteen different caseworkers and live in multiple different foster homes. CASA volunteers are often the one constant in a child’s life when everything else is shifting around them,” said Kelly Price, Executive Director of CASA of West Central Illinois. “They build trust, advocate for the child’s best interests, and make sure their voice is heard.”
Grant support from Galesburg Community Foundation’s 2025 Turnout Grant Cycle is supporting key parts of CASA’s program, including volunteer recruitment and training, supervision, and the specialized software used to manage case records and court reporting.
The need for volunteers continues growing. More than 320 children in Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough County are in foster care. CASA serves just over 100. “We need more volunteers to close the gap,” said Price. “This grant will help us continue to recruit and support the people who make this work possible.”
CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. They are retired teachers, nurses, business owners, and people with no professional background in child welfare. CASAs spend time with their paired child each month, attend court hearings, and gather insight from teachers, counselors, and caregivers. Their insights are shared directed with the judge to provide a clear picture of how the child is doing and anything they may need.
“It’s about catching what might otherwise slip through the crack,” Price commented. “That could be getting a child into counseling, helping them get new glasses, or making sure they’re adjusting to a new school.”
The impact is real. Children with a CASA are more likely to succeed in school, find stable placements, and spend less time in foster care.
CASA is funded almost entirely by grants, donations, and fundraising. That means support from donors and partners like Galesburg Community Foundation doesn’t just sustain the program; it directly increases the number of children who receive advocacy, support, and stability during these chapters of their lives.
“CASA is a powerful example of the incredible work nonprofits are doing for our region,” said Joshua Gibb, president & CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation. “They address the deep, personal challenges children face when navigating the court and foster care systems. Supporting organizations like CASA, is how we can invest in the long-term health of our region.”
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, or supporting their mission, visit www.casaofwestcentralillinois.org.
