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WHO WE ARE

Our History

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 Misson

OUR MISSION

To provide a meaningful voice and connection that instills hope and builds resilience for children

who have experienced abuse and neglect.

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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.

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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.”  

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- Judge Kathleen Sloan, Johnson County

Our Team
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MEET OUR TEAM

MANAGEMENT TEAM

NATALIE JULIEN

President & CEO

njulien@casajwc.com

ESTHER JOST-

MENGARELLI

Development Manager

ejost@casajwc.com

JULIE KINGSLEY

Associate Program Director

jkingsley@casajwc.com​

COURTNEY MEAD

Volunteer Manager

cmead@casajwc.com

JAMIE SINK

Training Manager

jsink@casajwc.com

STAFF

SARAH EMANUELS

Program Manager

AMORITA JOHNSON
Program Manager

KEIASIAH MOZEE

Special Events Coordinator

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

Board of Directors
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MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

SARAH LAUCK

Chair

H&R Block

JAYNE FRIEDLAND 

HOLLAND

2nd Vice Chair

Community Partner

DAVID PALMATIER

1st Vice Chair

Oracle Cerner

CEZANNE WIKOFF

Secretary

Trulieve

KRISTEN HUGHES

Treasurer

RSM US LLP

DIRECTORS

KIMBERLY DEMEL

Qcells US Corp.

JAY HIGHFILL

Community Partner

KATIE JOHNSON

Black & Veatch

JIM MARTIN

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

ANGELA MOSBY

Community Partner

JOSH MORTON

Community Partner

CHINA NEGRETE

First Citizens Bank

DARNELL REID

BNSF Railway

JUDGE THOMAS

KELLY RYAN

Tenth Judicial 

District of Kansas

CRAIG PUDER

Garmin

BILLY WEILAND

Sunflower Bank

We Need Your Support Today!

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