About CASA New Orleans

History of CASA
Concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children's lives without sufficient information, a Seattle Judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. So successful was this Seattle program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today more than 900 CASA program offices are in operation, with trained women and men serving as CASA volunteers. (CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate.)

In 1987 CASA New Orleans was formed under the guidance of Judge Salvadore Mule. It became the first CASA program in the State of Louisiana and has since served thousands of children under the jurisdiction of Orleans Parish Juvenile Court.

In 1992, CASA New Orleans was awarded the United Way Gold Award for outstanding service to the people of New Orleans. In 2004, the City of New Orleans gave us the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the City and People of New Orleans. In 2009, the U.S. Commerce Association Service and Welfare selected CASA New Orleans for the "Best of New Orleans" Award in the Social Organization Category. In 2010 CASA New Orleans won the National CASA Inclusion award for increasing the diversity among the program's board members and volunteers.

How is CASA funded?
CASA New Orleans is a private, non profit organization, managed by a board of directors and operated by staff. We receive funding from a variety of sources including, National CASA Association, United Way of Greater New Orleans, Temporary Aid for Needy Families, Victims of Crime Assistance as well as other private foundations, corporations and individuals. Please consider a donation to CASA New Orleans today. Click here for more information.