April is Volunteer Appreciation Month — a time to honor the people who quietly and consistently show up for children who need someone in their corner.
CASA volunteers do not enter easy situations. They step into complex family dynamics, intimidating courtrooms, and stories marked by uncertainty. They meet children who have been moved from home to home, who are moving to new schools and learning new routines, who are carrying more than any child should have to carry.
And then they stay.
They show up for monthly visits.
They listen.
They ask questions when answers feel unclear.
They read reports late at night and on weekends.
They speak up in court so a child’s needs are not overlooked.
For a child navigating the foster care system, a CASA volunteer may be the one consistent adult presence solely focused on their best interests. When systems feel overwhelming, CASA volunteers bring steadiness. When decisions feel rushed, they bring thoughtful advocacy. When a child feels invisible, they bring attention and care.
That kind of presence changes the trajectories of lives.
To the volunteers currently serving in Douglas County: Thank you. Your time, compassion, and persistence matter more than you may ever fully see.
And yet, the need is bigger than the number of current volunteers.
While many children are served by CASA volunteers, others are still waiting for an advocate. Each additional volunteer means one more child has someone asking, “Is this placement safe? Are services being provided and having the intended impact? Is this child being heard?”
Each new volunteer increases our ability to prevent further harm and move children more quickly toward safe, permanent homes.
How You Can Be Part of the Solution
Whether you are already involved or just learning about CASA, there are meaningful ways to engage this April:
- Consider becoming a CASA volunteer — your voice could be the one that ensures a child does not navigate the system alone.
- Support community-based services that strengthen families before crises occur, including:
- Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF): Supports children and families across Kansas by providing services that promote child safety, family stability, and pathways to long-term self-sufficiency.
- Lawrence Family Promise: Helps families experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Lawrence and Douglas County achieve stable housing through coordinated community support and services.
- Ballard Center: Provides early childhood education and wraparound family services—including food assistance, clothing, and emergency support—to help families achieve long-term stability.
- DCCCA: Delivers a wide range of social and behavioral health services designed to improve safety, health, and well-being for individuals and families in the communities it serves.
- Community Children’s Center: Expands access to high-quality, affordable childcare and parenting support for families with young children in Douglas County.
Prevention and appreciation go hand in hand. We prevent harm by showing up early and consistently. We strengthen families by investing in support. And we honor the volunteers who choose to stand beside children during some of the most difficult seasons of their lives.
Thank you for standing with the children of Douglas County — not just in April, but all year long.
