It often starts with a simple question: “What exactly does a CASA do?” The answer is powerful. We change lives one child, one story, one voice at a time.
At Atlanta CASA, our trained community volunteers serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children in foster care across Fulton County. These advocates are appointed by judges to speak up for a child’s best interests in court and throughout the child welfare process. They work to ensure that each child is seen as more than just a case number and that every decision made about their future reflects their unique needs, wishes and story.
CASA volunteers are not case managers or attorneys. They are consistent, caring adults who stay with the child throughout the duration of their case — often the only stable adult presence that the child has during a chaotic time. We don’t rescue children. We walk beside them, amplifying their voices and helping decision-makers understand their full reality, not just what’s written in a file.
But right now, far too many children in Fulton County are navigating the foster care system without the steady presence of a CASA volunteer. They are moving between placements without someone advocating for continuity and care. They are waiting.
We believe every child deserves someone in their corner, especially when everything else around them feels uncertain.
And that is where the community comes in.
You don’t need a legal background or a social work degree to become a CASA. What you need is compassion, reliability and the willingness to show up. Atlanta CASA provides comprehensive training and ongoing support to prepare volunteers for this role. Our volunteers come from all walks of life — retirees, teachers, corporate professionals, business owners and students. Each one brings something unique and each one leaves a lasting impact.
Consider this: a young teen who has changed schools five times in two years. A toddler who has known more caseworkers than caregivers. A sibling group facing the possibility of separation. Now imagine being the one consistent adult who shows up, month after month, with no agenda other than to ensure the child’s needs are heard, respected and met.
That is the CASA difference.
And it matters. Children with a CASA are more likely to find a permanent home, more likely to succeed in school and more likely to thrive emotionally. CASA volunteers often uncover details that shift the entire trajectory of a child’s life, finding siblings who have been separated, recommending therapeutic support or advocating for educational stability.
This year, as we celebrate Atlanta CASA’s 30th anniversary, we are launching an ambitious campaign to recruit 50 new volunteers. That’s 50 voices. 50 advocates. 50 opportunities to change a life. Maybe more.
I often think about the children who have told us, “You were the only one who showed up,” or “You remembered what I said last time.” That kind of presence matters. It communicates worth, dignity and care — something every child deserves.
If you’ve ever been curious about how to make a meaningful difference in your community, now is the time to act. Becoming a CASA is not just a volunteer role; it’s a personal commitment to equity, empathy and action.
To those who may feel intimidated by the idea, I say this: CASA work is not about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about bearing witness to a child’s experience and standing with them as they navigate a complicated system. We provide the training. You bring the heart.
The need is urgent. The opportunity is real. And the impact is lasting. To learn more or attend an upcoming info session, click here.
