CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the Continental Divide trains, mentors, and supports volunteers who provide advocacy in the 5th Judicial District of Colorado for abused and neglected children in pursuit of safe and permanent homes. The volunteer advocates are the voice of the child speaking out for their best interest.

Youth reflections on their time with a CASA let us know that CASA volunteers make a difference in their lives. “If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” A CASA volunteer is an adult who cares about their well-being. “Consistency is what we crave more than anything.” The CASA volunteer checks in, listens, advocates, and provides help with life skills such as cooking, getting a job, applying for college, navigating leases and car buying, and managing finances. “A CASA volunteer becomes a constant when everything else is changing. They don’t throw you away.”

CASA of the Continental Divide (CASACD) celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2019.  Established in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the agency serves children in Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit Counties. The CASA of the Continental Divide program is the only one of its kind in Colorado’s 5th Judicial District.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and CASACD is raising awareness of child abuse by creating a blue pinwheel garden in the Town of Dillon. Everyone who donates to support youth who find themselves in un-healthy situations will receive a pinwheel they can display at home, at work or place it in the pinwheel garden. We hope to see pinwheels across Summit County. We are also seeking players, donations (cash and items for our silent auction), and volunteers for our 13th Annual Golf Scramble – Chip in For Kids – on June 11th at the famed Frost Creek Golf Course in Eagle.

In fiscal year 2018, thirty-one volunteers provided 2,753 hours of their time on case-related activity. This includes 662 face-to-face meetings with children.  Additionally, volunteers drove over 25,000 miles for child-related meetings and court hearings.

For more information, visit www.mtncasa.org or call 970-513-9390.