“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 ways to turn those goals into action and make a lasting difference.
Throughout 2025 CASA of McHenry County served nearly 350 children in foster care, with the help of 171 volunteer Advocates. Our Advocates spent the year cheering their CASA youth on, sharing moments of joy, standing beside them through difficult experiences and ensuring their voices were heard in court. As the new year begins, 245 children remain in care in our county, including eight who are waiting to be matched with a CASA.
We are excited to share that one group of soon-to-be Advocates has already taken the first step in giving back to their community and are currently in training. They will be officially sworn in on March 6, 2026. If you are inspired to take the plunge as well, our next Advocate training class begins on April 30, 2026. To learn more about what it means to become a CASA, we invite you to join Sharie Dodge, Advocate Engagement Manager, at one of her upcoming Information Sessions over Zoom. Evening sessions are scheduled for February 19, March 18, and April 14. Register here to get started!
CASA of McHenry County is continually inspired by the generosity of our community. From grants and business partnerships to individual gifts, even a remarkable $20,000 donation match at the end of 2025, your support shows just how much this mission is valued. It truly takes a village, and ours is nothing short of incredible. Every dollar given makes a real, tangible difference and we are deeply grateful for our supporters who make this work possible. Financial donations allow us to sustain our program and plan for a stronger future for the youth we serve.
If you’re looking to deepen your impact, becoming a Monthly Donor is one of the most powerful ways to help. Recurring gifts provide steady, reliable support that helps us focus on fulfilling our mission. No matter the amount, your contribution matters, and your continued support helps create lasting change for the foster youth in McHenry County.
If you’re looking for more ways to give back and get involved, we invite you to join us for one of our signature events throughout the year. Kick things off with Big City Bash, on March 6, 2026, featuring an Aspen-inspired theme, perfect for couples, friends and groups to enjoy a memorable night together. We can’t wait to see everyone’s best Apres-ski fashion on display! Guests will enjoy a delicious meal, fun games, exciting auctions and a live band for a night to remember.
In June, we will host the CASA Hero Awards, celebrating the incredible Advocates and community supporters who make our mission possible. Then, in the fall, we wrap up with our ever-growing Little Black Dress event, a special night out designed just for the ladies. Each event is a meaningful (and fun!) way to support the children we serve.
As we look ahead to 2026, we invite you to be part of the impact, whether by becoming an Advocate, attending an event, or supporting our work through a financial gift. Every action, big or small, helps ensure children in foster care have a consistent voice and a brighter future.
For more information on how to get involved, upcoming trainings and events, or ways to donate, please visits us at https://casamchenrycounty.org/. Together, we can continue to make a lasting difference for the children of McHenry County.