Dear Friend,

At CASA Lake County, we believe in the power of family. Every June, we celebrate the many families who overcome obstacles to reunite and rebuild their lives together.

We are exceptionally proud of the progress that has been made in Lake County over the last five years in pursuit of reunification of families. In 2019, roughly one-third of Lake County child welfare cases ended in reunification, and in 2024 nearly two-thirds of cases reunified. Reunification is always the goal (when safely possible) for children in foster care—and with the help of our dedicated CASA volunteers, children and families are supported every step of the way.

This month, we honor the resilience, hope, and healing that reunification represents. And we honor the selflessness that our volunteers display in advocating for the children on their case.

Right now, 26 children in Lake County are waiting for a CASA volunteer to stand by their side. Will you help us make sure every child has someone in their corner? Apply to become a volunteer, or make a donation to support our work.

With gratitude,

With your support, in just the last month...

This event is almost sold out! Register by the end of today to join us for our 25th Annual Golf for a Child Invitational where we have fun games and special guests former White Sox players Dan Pasqua and Mike Huff. This is a great opportunity to gather together for a fun day of golf while also supporting CASA's work. Register now to secure your spot!

We’re thrilled to welcome five new volunteers (one not pictured) who were officially sworn in on June 5th as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) by 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Marnie M. Slavin. After completing a 30 hour pre-service training, they are now prepared to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care. Thank you to each of these dedicated individuals for stepping into this vital role and standing up for children who need a consistent, compassionate advocate by their side.

Thank you to everyone who supported CASA by shopping or dining at our recent fundraisers! Together, we raised over $900 at Lazy Dog Vernon Hills on April 29 and nearly $600 at J. McLaughlin in Lake Forest on May 10. These contributions make a difference in advancing CASA’s mission—every dollar counts and helps us continue serving our community. We appreciate your generosity and ongoing support!

In August 2024, CASA received a generous $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation. On May 28th, we had the honor of visiting their office alongside My Density Matters and Black Onyx Allstars to share how we’re putting those funds to work. We were also thrilled to each receive an additional $2,500 in recognition of our ongoing efforts. We are deeply grateful to the SBB Research Group Foundation for their continued support of CASA’s mission and their investment in our local community.

Mark your calendar to save this date, and keep an eye out for more information to come!

Kudos for Some Amazing CASA Volunteers!

To CASA Patty, who hit the ground running on her first CASA case. Patty had her first visit with the children one week after being sworn in, had a second visit two weeks later, and wrote a very detailed court report, all within the first month of case acceptance. Patty began her CASA journey enthusiastically, and she will undoubtedly be a wonderful advocate for her CASA children.

To CASA Pharah, for her wonderful and dedicated medical advocacy for her CASA baby with complex medical needs. She accepted this case last year because of her nursing experience and has been a tremendous support to the previous foster parents and the mother after the baby returned home. Recently, Pharah was able to assist the mother in addressing safety concerns during the transition from home to daycare.

Keep up with our updates on social media!

Mission Statement

CASA Lake County exists to promote and protect the best interests of youth who have been found to be abused, neglected, or dependent. We train and empower volunteers to advocate for them in the courts and in the community to help them safely return to their families, or when not possible, help them achieve safe and permanent homes where they can thrive.