WHO WE ARE
OUR HISTORY
In 1976, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup was concerned about making a decision on behalf of a 3-year-old child who had experienced abuse. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children, who experienced abuse or neglect, in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.
CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties was locally founded in 1985, with major support from the National Council of Jewish Women. Annually we serve approximately 43% of the children who move through Johnson & Wyandotte County court systems as a direct cause of abuse and neglect. We are able to advocate for these children through the dedication and compassion of our CASA volunteers as well as other committed community volunteers.
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OUR MISSION
To provide a meaningful voice and connection that instills hope and builds resilience for children
who have experienced abuse and neglect.
We fulfill our mission by recruiting, training, and supervising community volunteers. Our CASA volunteers are appointed by judges of the juvenile courts in Johnson & Wyandotte Counties to advocate for the best interests of children and youth in the foster care system.
OUR VISION
To create a community where every child who has experienced abuse and neglect is given the opportunity to thrive.
OUR VALUES
At CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties, our work will be guided and informed by our
beliefs and commitment to the following areas:
SAFETY
We prioritize the needs and safety of our children.
SUPPORT
We create an environment where all people are heard and supported.
CONNECTIONS
We believe in the power of providing meaningful connections.
INCLUSIVE & EQUITABLE
We are committed to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.
RESPECT
We approach all people with respect, dignity and compassion.
RESOURCES
We empower our volunteers and staff with tools and resources that support our kids to thrive.
COLLABORATION
We value collaboration to effect positive change.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We are dedicated to modeling diversity and inclusion throughout our community.
"CASA volunteers are the eyes and ears of the Court and are an important and essential ingredient to my ability to make the best decision possible for the children who have cases before me. If I could
have a CASA on all my cases, I would.”
- Judge Kathleen Sloan, Johnson County
MEET OUR TEAM
MANAGEMENT TEAM
ABBY BANDEN
Program Director
STAFF
SARAH EMANUELS
Program Manager
AMORITA JOHNSON
Program Manager
JULIE KINGSLEY
Program Manager
ESTHER JOST-MENGARELLI
Development Manager
ANNABEL MURPHY
Program Specialist
MCKENZIE OSLICA
Program Coordinator
ROBIN PORTER
Program Coordinator
AIMEE RAMIREZ
Program Coordinator
TRACY SAMPAT
Administrative & Development Assistant
VICKI SHEPHERD
Program Coordinator
NOAH SWEENEY
Marketing Coordinator
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
JAYNE FRIEDLAND
HOLLAND
2nd Vice Chair
Tyler Technologies
KRISTEN HUGHES
Treasurer
RSM US LLP
KRISTI PUDER
Secretary
Garmin International
DIRECTORS
JENNIFER DOUGAN
KIMBERLY DEMEL
ANGELA MOSBY
Community Partner
KAMA MOSELEY
Lockton Companies
JAY HIGHFILL
Community Partner
DAVID PALMATIER
Oracle Cerner
DARNELL REID
BNSF Railway
DAVID PLATT
Community Partner
CEZANNE WIKOFF
Jacent Strategic Merchandising, LLC.
MICHELLE SUTER
Commercial Law Group, P.A.
JUDGE THOMAS
KELLY RYAN
Tenth Judicial
District of Kansas
