CASA OF MCHENRY COUNTY
Change the Life of a Child in Foster Care
Bring hope to children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Together, we can advocate for their safety, well-being, and future success.
CASA MCHENRY COUNTY
Change the Life of a Child in Foster Care
Bring hope to children suffering from abuse and neglect. Together, we can advocate for their safety, well-being, and future success.
Making a Difference
Every Child Deserves to Live in a Safe, Loving, Forever Home
What is CASA?
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a dedicated, trained volunteer who advocates for the best interest of a child in the foster care system.
CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members of the court. Volunteers are teachers, business people, retirees, stay-at-home parents; extraordinary people who want to ensure the child’s voice is heard.
What does CASA do?
Imagine what it would be like to lose your parents because they can’t – or won’t – take care of you. Along with a new home, you have dozens of strangers enter your life: police, foster parents, social workers, and more. A CASA volunteer brings stability to a life that desperately needs it.
CASA volunteers act as the eyes and ears of the court, gathering information and building relationships with the child and key figures in their life. They advocate on behalf of the child’s best interest.
How does CASA help?
The ultimate goal of a CASA volunteer is to build a relationship with the child, rooted in trust and stability, that remains until the child has found their forever home. As they get to know the child, a CASA can report to and collaborate with those making key decisions about the child’s life.
By doing so, they help transform the lives of vulnerable children in our community.
Your Help is Needed
Reports of Child Abuse & Neglect in McHenry County each year
the average time a child in Illinois will stay in foster care
Children will be in the court’s care as a victim of abuse or neglect each year
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News and Events
Celebrating Leadership: Becky Morris, Woman of Distinction
At CASA of McHenry County, we are proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Becky Morris, as one of Shaw Media’s 2026 Women of Distinction—an honor that reflects not only her professional achievements, but the heart, vision, and leadership she brings to our organization and community every day. Since becoming Executive…
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Moving from the Challenge to the Change Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by caring adults. Each April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that preventing child abuse and neglect takes all of us—families, neighbors, schools, service providers, and communities working together to create the…
Standing Beside a Child: Reflection of a CASA Advocate
When people hear that I’m a CASA Advocate, they often say, “I don’t know how you do it.” Idon’t do it alone and I don’t do it because it’s easy; I do it because every child deserves someonein their corner, someone who shows up, listens, and reminds them they matter.…
Big City Bash Aspen: A Night That Felt Like CASA
Big City Bash Aspen: A Night That Felt Like CASA By Jen Gibson, Events & Communications Manager I’m still soaking it all in. Because of your generosity at Big City Bash: Aspen – An Après-Ski Gala, we raised $284,404—40% over budget—to support CASA of McHenry County and the children in…
Meet Our New Advocates
Welcome New CASA Advocates! By Sharie Dodge, Advocate Engagement Manager CASA’s most recent training class was a small group but packed with power! On 3/6/26, we swore in five new Advocates. They completed the 40 hours of training alongside four new Board Members. This dynamic mix of people brought a…
What It Means to Show Love Through Advocacy
If we have all learned anything from The Five Love Languages, it is that there are infinite ways to demonstrate that you care about someone. For my husband, I might plan a fun date night. My daughters, I will pick up a cute lip gloss I know they will love.…
Why Giving Back is the Best Way to Begin Your Year
“New year, new me!” may be a familiar phrase in your household right now. As we step into a fresh year, you may be thinking about new goals, intentions and resolutions. If giving back to your community is high on your list for 2026, CASA of McHenry County offers meaningful…
Family Support Fund – A Legacy of Love, Opportunity, and Hope
Since 2021 the Family Support Fund provided to CASA of McHenry County has generously given away over $29,000 in 192 scholarships for youth in care. This all started with one local couple, John Ferrero and Dr. Karen Burgess Ferrero, through their ingenuity, generosity and with the support of their family,…
It Takes a Village: Stories from the Heart of CASA
It Takes a Village: Stories from the Heart of CASA At CASA of McHenry County, every child we serve has a story—and so does every Advocate who walks alongside them. In this season of giving, we’re honored to share four powerful moments from Advocates of the Month. These stories reflect…
It Takes a Village: Help Us Reach Our $20,000 Match
Together, We Made Giving Tuesday Count On Giving Tuesday, you showed up.Thanks to your generosity, we raised $8,800 in just 24 hours—and with our matching donor, that impact doubled. Your gifts are already at work helping us recruit, train, and support more CASA Advocates for children in foster care who…
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