Sharon M. Lawrence, Esq.

CEO, California CASA Association

Highlights from Our Recent Salon

On May 29, we gathered with a passionate group of supporters in San Francisco for an intimate salon event hosted by our very own Board member, Kim Moore.

These gatherings offer a unique opportunity to connect deeply around the issues facing children in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, and the vital role CASA volunteers play in advocating for their futures.

The evening sparked thoughtful conversation, inspired new connections, and reinforced our shared commitment to ensuring every child has a consistent adult by their side.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us and made the night so meaningful!

New CASA Stories Coming Soon!

In partnership with local programs in Orange and Santa Barbara Counties, our team recently completed a series of photo shoots that celebrate the heart of our work — our volunteers. With that in mind, we're thrilled to share that new photos and stories featuring our incredible CASA volunteers are on the way!

With the help of a talented Los Angeles-based photographer, we cast child models to pair with actual CASA volunteers and captured candid moments at a variety of locations across Southern California, including a courthouse, outdoor shopping center, and two schools. Each setting offered a unique backdrop that reflects the many environments where CASA volunteers connect with the children they serve. 

We're looking forward to weaving these powerful images, videos, and stories into our upcoming content and sharing them across the network. Stay tuned!

DEI at California CASA: Then & Now

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remains at the heart of who we are and how we advocate for children in our community. When we launched our DEI strategy in 2020, we pledged to:

• Recruit and partner with CASA staff, Board members, and volunteers who reflect the diversity of the children we serve
• Empower our entire CASA community to understand how a child’s cultural identity impacts their unique experiences
• Advocate for and support relevant anti-discrimination policies across California

Today, our focus is on deepening this work through sustainable action. Most recently, Cynthia Featherson, our DEI Manager, created a robust course catalog to equip CASA staff, Board members, and volunteers with the knowledge and skills to champion equity and inclusion in their work each day. This included interactive learning tools, case studies, role-play exercises, practical tools, and more. We are also encouraging more collaboration between programs and communities while developing new ways to support each of our CASA programs as they build more culturally responsive practices.

As we move forward, we are guided by a simple belief that every child deserves advocacy rooted in equity, understanding, and belonging. We are grateful to our community members across the state who are learning alongside us and carrying this vision forward every day.

CASA of Orange County Volunteer:

Christopher Williams

Christopher Williams was recently honored as CASA of Orange County's 2025 Advocate of the Year. A professional musician and passionate mentor, Christopher shares how his role as a CASA has allowed him to build a meaningful connection with the young person he supports, offering not only advocacy in court but also emotional stability and encouragement through shared experiences.

In a recent video interview, he reflects on the importance of being a consistent adult presence in a child’s life and the deep impact it has had on both of them. His story is a powerful reminder of the many ways CASA volunteers show up—with heart, creativity, and unwavering commitment.

Chris shares that an important part of being a CASA is simply showing up. "If I said I was going to do something, I would do it," he explains. "If I said I was going to be somewhere, I would be there."

Watch the video below to hear more from Christopher and the team at CASA of Orange County!

Teeing Up for a Cause: Albert & Mackenzie Hosts

Charity Golf Tournament Benefiting CASA

We’re thrilled to share that our valued community partner, Albert & Mackenzie, is once again stepping up to support children and youth in foster care—with a swing!

On Thursday, November 7, 2025, Albert & Mackenzie will host their first-ever Charity Golf Invitational at the beautiful Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine. This highly anticipated event brings together clients, colleagues, and friends for a day of friendly competition, connection, and—most importantly—giving back. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit California CASA, CASA of Los Angeles, and Peace 4 Kids.

Albert & Mackenzie have long been generous supporters of California CASA. From employee giving campaigns to direct contributions, their commitment to our mission has helped provide children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems with the consistent support of a dedicated CASA volunteer. This golf tournament is yet another way they are turning compassion into action.

We invite you to learn more, sign up to play, or become a sponsor by visiting the link below.

Thank You To The Walter S. Johnson Foundation

We are deeply grateful to the Walter S. Johnson Foundation and its dedicated staff and Board members for their generous $75,000 grant in support of our Board Initiative project. Their belief in strong local leadership is helping us build the capacity of CASA Boards across California to serve children and youth in foster care with trained CASA volunteers. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to lasting impact.

Thanks to your incredible generosity during National Foster Care Month, we are thrilled to share that we met our $10,000 match goal! Every gift was doubled by the Dolly Snyder Charitable Foundation, making twice the impact for children and youth in foster care across California.

We are deeply grateful to each of you who gave, shared, and stood with us in support of CASA volunteers. And a heartfelt thank you to the Dolly Snyder Charitable Foundation for amplifying the power of community.

Together, you’ve made sure more young people have a caring advocate by their side.

When you think about charitable giving, you might picture writing a check or donating online. But not all powerful gifts happen in the moment – they’re planned. Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, is a way for individuals to make a lasting impact through future-focused contributions that support the causes they care about most.

At its core, planned giving means committing today to support California CASA tomorrow through your will, trust, retirement account, life insurance policy, or other long-term financial plans. These gifts cost nothing during your lifetime, yet they can ensure that your values and generosity endure for generations to come.

And here’s the best part: planned giving is for everyone. Anyone with a heart for supporting youth in foster care can make a meaningful legacy gift—whether that’s a small percentage of a retirement account or a specific amount designated in your will.

Common and Accessible Ways to Leave a Legacy:

• Bequests in a Will or Trust: You can name California CASA as a beneficiary of a specific dollar amount or percentage of your estate.
• Retirement Accounts: Naming California CASA as a beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k) is simple and can offer tax advantages to your heirs.
• Life Insurance: Designating California CASA as a beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy is an easy, often overlooked way to give.
• Charitable Gift Annuities or Trusts: For those seeking to support a cause while generating income during their lifetime, these vehicles offer a solution.

Why consider a planned gift? Because it creates a lasting impact. Your support helps ensure that children in foster care across California have access to a trained, consistent Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)—someone who listens, shows up, and helps guide them through complex systems and uncertain times.

Here’s What Makes Planned Giving Powerful:



• It reflects your values and tells your story in a way that lasts beyond your lifetime.
• It can reduce taxes for your heirs and simplify estate planning.
• It costs nothing now, allowing you to make a larger impact than might be possible through annual gifts alone.
• It’s easy to set up—in most cases, all it takes is filling out a beneficiary form or adding a short paragraph to your will.

If you’re considering a legacy gift, please contact Connie Hwang, Chief Philanthropy Officer, at chwang@californiacasa.org

A planned gift is more than a financial decision—it’s a personal statement of hope, compassion, and belief in a better future for every child.

Be Their Voice — Become a Volunteer

Children in foster care need a trusted advocate to stand by their side. Become a CASA volunteer and change a child’s story by providing the support and stability they deserve.

There are still 67,299 children in foster care in California. By volunteering with a local CASA program, you can help us uplift our communities by transforming lives through advocacy.

Support CASA Through Your Donor-Advised Fund

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) provide a simple and tax-efficient way to support children and youth in foster care while maximizing your charitable impact. By recommending a grant from your DAF to California CASA, you can help ensure that children will have the advocacy and support they need to thrive. Whether you choose to make a one-time gift or establish recurring support, your generosity will provide stability and hope for the most vulnerable.

Shop with a purpose

You can make an impact just by purchasing your groceries! Thanks to the Ralphs Community Giving Program, fundraising is made easy and all you have to do at checkout is swipe your Ralphs Shopper's Card. Click the button below to learn more how it works.