CASA DeKalb County, Inc.

08/31/2026

Have questions about the role of a CASA Advocate, or how to become one? Join us tomorrow, September 1, at 9 AM via Zoom to learn more about CASA and to see if becoming a CASA Advocate is a good fit for you!

Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/lyZKAD0kQB2cbmILFwqNDA

08/28/2026

As the 2026-2027 school year kicks off, did you know that...

🍎 When children in foster care move placements, they often switch schools. Research shows that frequent school changes for these youth can be associated with poorer educational outcomes.

🍎 CASA collaborates with schools, caseworkers and caregivers to ensure the educational needs of these children are met throughout the year and during times of transition.

🍎 Through this collaboration, CASA Advocates ensure that the children we are appointed to are given all of the tools they need to be successful in their academic setting.

Want to learn more about becoming a CASA Advocate? Find more information here: https://casadekalb.org/volunteer-information/

08/26/2026

Congrats to Josh Smith with The Dirty Bird 815 for winning the People's Choice Award and 1st Place in the Professional Category at the 22nd Annual 50 Men Who Cook with his Brisket Burnt-End Sandwich!



📷: Embracing Grace Photography

08/25/2026

On the fence about volunteering with CASA? Join us tomorrow, August 26, at 12 PM via Zoom to learn more about CASA and to see if becoming a CASA Advocate is a good fit for you!

Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/LBGnHVu1QVWug9KMc_PHqA

08/24/2026

Meet CASA DeKalb County Advocate, Shelly R! 🥳 Shelly has been a CASA Advocate for a little under a year, serving 1 child so far.

Shelly says her most rewarding experience so far has been getting to know her CASA child, as well as the parents and foster parents, to gain a deeper understanding of who everyone is and the circumstances that brought them to this point. She is grateful for the opportunity to support her child and make a positive difference in their life.

Fun fact about Shelly - she has 3 dogs, loves the water and the mountains, and is a breast cancer survivor! 🐶⛰️🩷

Shelly stated that volunteering with CASA is meaningful because children are the future, and we have a responsibility to protect their innocence so they can grow and thrive. Protecting the most vulnerable is a beautiful thing.

Thank you, Shelly, for your dedication to CASA and our community!

08/21/2026

CASA is proud to welcome our newest intern to the team!

Celestina is a Masters of Public Administration student at Northern Illinois University, specializing in Strategic Management, and a Graduate Research Assistant with NIU STEAM. Originally from Ghana, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialization in Human Resource Management from the University of Cape Coast. With experience working with the Mastercard Foundation and CAMFED Ghana, Celestina is passionate about community engagement and supporting children and vulnerable populations.

She hopes to grow her experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement while building toward her future career. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature.

Welcome, Celestina!

08/20/2026

This month, our Advocates and staff were joined by TJ Schoonover from NIU'S Department for Counseling and Higher Education.

Our incredible guest speaker gave our team insights into the therapy services the children we work with receive, and how we as CASA can best advocate for them along the way!

We are thankful for opportunities like this, to learn from service providers and educators in our community.

08/19/2026

Congrats to Dan for placing 2nd in the Dessert category at the 22nd Annual 50 Men Who Cook with his Shamrock Shake Pie!



📷: Embracing Grace Photography

08/18/2026

08/17/2026

📚✨ Happy Back-to-School Season from CASA! We’re wishing students, families, educators, and our community a safe, successful, and exciting start to the new school year! 💙