CASA New Orleans

CASA New Orleans fights for the rights of abused and neglected children. We provide trained volunteers to advocate for the best interest of foster children in the St. Bernard and Orleans Parish court systems. Our goal is to ensure that every child has a safe, permanent, nurturing home. CASA New Orleans has been in existence since 1985 and has served thousands of children and reunited families.

CASA volunteer Advocates act as the voice for foster children as they navigate complex child welfare and juvenile court systems. They make and follow up on written recommendations to the judges in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes to address all of the basic needs of the children in care including the educational issues that stem from abuse/neglect. For children who do not find permanency and age out of foster care, we follow them through our transition age youth programming.

CASA New Orleans fights for the rights of abused and neglected children because we know that connection builds resilience and that resilient children become successful adults. Children who receive a CASA Advocate who provide support on their cases are more likely to be adopted, less likely to return to foster care if reunified, have fewer moves while in care, and do better in school. Research shows that youth with a CASA Advocate score higher on nine protective factors, including interested adults, controls against deviant behavior, positive attitude towards the future, valuing achievement, ability to work with others and ability to work out conflicts. These protective factors increase resilience, helping former foster youth become strong, productive adults. Our transition age youth have educational outcomes almost five times the national average!

Testimonials

We work with children 0-17 while in foster care, then follow our youth after 18 when they age out. While we can't get testimonials from the little ones, many of our older youth have come back and given us feedback on their experiences. Here are some of their stories.

"I was really active in clubs, organizations, and student government in high school. My Advocate helped me with college applications, and was a stable, consistent person in my life when I needed it. She let me vent when things went wrong. Now I am a senior at UNO, and I am beginning to apply to graduate school programs." -- Kayana (update: she has graduated college!)

"It was difficult to age out of foster care before finishing school, but I stayed in high school and concurrently earned a nursing certificate. CASA helped me with all sorts of resources, both personal and educational, and even connected me to a job. CASA is always willing to be there with whatever I need help with, and now I am confidently pursuing my dreams." -- Roshine

"I have always loved learning and done well in school. My senior year I was president of Key Club and preparing to go to college, but my placement was going to be changed again which would have forced me to switch high schools. My Advocate helped me stay in my high school, apply to colleges, and CASA nominated me for a Posse scholarship. I earned a full scholarship to Tulane University and served as a Legislative intern in 2017." -- Breayana

"My freshman year [of high school] I moved schools five times, but once I found a stable school I made good grades, lettered in basketball and football, and even won Homecoming King. CASA was there to help me in college when I was homeless, and they nominated me for the Legislative internship that led to my current job." -- Taylor (update: he has graduated college is now pursuing a career in Dallas, Texas!)

"I am currently a college student, raising my daughter, and working. When we lost our housing, CASA was there to help me navigate all of the changes and get us back on track. I bought a car, and I'm looking forward to moving into an apartment soon!" -- Donica (update: she and her daughter are not homeless anymore! She now has a full time job working with opportunity youth.)

"At the start of my freshman year of college I was already raising my twins when my younger siblings came to live with me. CASA helped us find a larger home in a better neighborhood, and worked with schools to enroll my sister. I'm working hard to be there for my family." -- Daja