CASA Program of St. Joseph County

10/20/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS FROM HAWKINS.. uhh…we mean SOUTH BEND!🚨

Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley have traded in their monster-hunting duties for something a little sweeter! 🍬👻

Tonight, we’re representing the CASA Program of St. Joseph County at Cops and Goblins at Four Winds Field! 💙

We even have a dog Demogorgon joining us! 🐶👹 Just lots of candy, costumes, and Halloween fun with our community!

We’re having an Upside Down kind of good time handing out treats and spreading the word about CASA! 🎃

10/19/2026

🎄❤️ HELP US MAKE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL FOR CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY! 🎁

The CASA Program of St. Joseph County is looking for generous individuals, families, businesses, churches, and organizations to help make the holidays a little brighter for children and teens in our community!

We still have children and sibling groups waiting to be adopted through our Holiday Adoption Program!

🎁 31 Individual Children/Teens (1 child each)

🎁 24 Sibling Pairs (2 children each)

🎁 3 Sibling Groups (3 children each)

🎁 2 Sibling Groups (4 children each)

🎁 2 Potential Sibling Groups (5 children each)

❤️ Could you adopt a child or sibling group this Christmas?

Our Holiday Adoption Program helps children who are living with relatives, kinship caregivers, or in other nontraditional placements. Many of these caregivers have stepped up to provide a safe, loving home but may struggle with the added financial burden of the holidays.

By adopting a child or sibling group, you can help provide much-needed essentials like clothing, winter coats, shoes, and bedding, along with a special gift or two to bring some Christmas joy! 🎅🎄

✨ You don't have to do it alone! Gather your coworkers, church group, friends, or family and adopt a sibling group together!

📩 Interested in helping? Contact Amanda Buchholz at [email protected] or call 574-233-2272 ext. 4112.

💙 Please SHARE this post to help us find a holiday adopter for every child! Together, we can make a difference this Christmas! 🎁

10/16/2026

🎉💙 Happy Boss’s Day to our fearless leader, Stephanie! 💙🎉

Behind every great team is a great leader, and we are lucky to have one of the best!

As Executive Director of the CASA Program of St. Joseph County, Stephanie wears a LOT of hats (and apparently looks pretty fabulous in an '80s makeover, too! 😉🐆).

From securing the funding and resources that keep our program running to supporting our staff and volunteers, Stephanie works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure we can continue making a difference in the lives of children in our community. She leads with compassion, dedication, humor, and a whole lot of heart. ❤️

Stephanie, thank you for putting up with all of our office antics, keeping us moving in the right direction, and always reminding us why the work we do matters.

We appreciate you more than you know!

Happy Boss’s Day! 👑💙

10/14/2026

Happy Birthday to our wonderful Staff Advocate, Alivia! 🎂🎉

Wishing you a birthday filled with love, laughter, and all the happiness you deserve, along with an incredible year ahead! ✨

Thank you for all that you do to advocate for your CASA kiddos. 💙 We are so grateful to have you as part of our CASA family! 🫶🏼 We hope this next year brings you as much joy and positivity as you give to others every day. Enjoy your special day, Alivia! 🥳🎈

Happy Birthday! 🎉💗

10/08/2026

The CASA Program of St. Joseph County is currently looking for businesses, churches, organizations, and community groups to host a CASA Toy Drive collection box during the month of November!

Hosting a box is an easy way to make a BIG difference. Simply encourage your employees, members, customers, or congregation to donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0-18.

🎁 We provide the collection box.
❤️ Your group helps fill it with toys.
🎄 The toys you donate will be carefully chosen for children in foster care by their CASA volunteers, someone who knows the child, their interests, and what might make their Christmas a little brighter.

Each CASA volunteer will have the opportunity to select a special gift for the child or children they advocate for and personally give it to them for Christmas.

Interested in hosting a box or want more information?

Contact:
Amanda Buchholz – Recruiter/Trainer
📧 [email protected]
📞 574-233-2272 ext. 4112

Please share! Help us connect with businesses, churches, and organizations throughout St. Joseph County that would love to support local children in foster care this holiday season. ❤️

10/07/2026

Thank you to Jeff Parrot for highlighting Tom after he was named the 2026 Indiana GAL/CASA Volunteer of the Year!

Tom Brown quickly grew bored with retirement so his daughter talked him into volunteering as a CASA. They give abused and neglected kids a voice in the legal process and they’re always needed.

12 years later Brown has been named Indiana’s top CASA. He’s glad she persisted.

We don’t often share so much from an interview but Brown is worth a listen.

Story link in comments.

10/07/2026

Thank you to Jeff Parrot for highlighting Tom after he was named the 2026 Indiana GAL/CASA Volunteer of the Year!

Indiana's court system recently named South Bend retiree Tom Brown as the state's top Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, for 2026.

Brown says he’s sure he’s affected many lives over 12 years of volunteering but he says the experience also has changed him.

Story link in comments.

10/06/2026

We want to thank Angie and Maureen from the The CASIE Center for providing a Mandatory Reporter Training to our volunteers last night! The training was detailed and informative! Thank you!!

09/29/2026

What an inspiring weekend at the Indiana GAL/CASA Conference in Fort Wayne! 💙

We had the opportunity to attend so many meaningful and inspiring training sessions, connect with others who share our passion for advocating for children, and bring home new ideas and tools to better serve the children and families in our communities.

One of the highlights was celebrating our very own SJC CASA, Tom Brown, who was honored as the Indiana GAL/CASA Volunteer of the Year! 🎉 We are incredibly proud to see Tom’s dedication and compassion for children recognized at the state level. We also want to give a special shout-out to the Director of the Year from Jefferson County and the Staff Member of the Year from Tippecanoe County. Congratulations to all of these outstanding honorees for their dedication and service to children and families!

Grateful for a weekend filled with learning, encouragement, connection, and a renewed commitment to making a difference in the lives of children. 💙

09/18/2026

Celebrating 100 Children Served! 🤩

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of celebrating an incredible milestone for Tom and Myles. Since being sworn in as CASA volunteers, they have served 100 children in our community. ❤️

Their commitment, compassion, and dedication to advocating for children who need a voice are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Tom and Myles, thank you for your service, your dedication, and your heart for children. We are incredibly grateful for the time and energy you give to ensure that every child has someone in their corner.

Here’s to 100 children served and to the many more lives you’ll touch along the way! 👏💙❤️