As we enjoy the last days of summer, we’re excited to share some significant milestones and updates from CASA MN. This season has been full of progress and promise, reflecting our commitment to the children and families we serve.
A Major Win for Volunteer Recruitment
We are thrilled to announce that the Minnesota Guardian ad Litem board has decided to restart recruitment and training of volunteer Guardians!
After this extended pause, we are eager to move forward and contribute to a robust system of support and advocacy for Minnesota’s children. CASA MN will be a key partner in volunteer recruitment, and we are proud to report that nearly 400 individuals are on our waiting list, eager to join this important work.
Initial recruitment efforts will be focused on smaller numbers and a specific geographic area. We are confident that this approach will allow us to build a stronger, more effective program in service of kids and families. Each new volunteer will be better equipped to serve the best interests of the children who need us most.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer, please follow the link below for more information.
Become a CASA MN volunteer
CASA Cares: A Record-Breaking Summer
This summer has also been one of the biggest yet for the CASA Cares program. We awarded grants totaling over $12,000, bringing joy and opportunity to children across the state. These grants have funded a variety of activities, from fishing equipment to gymnastics classes and Lacrosse camps. Our grants reached children aged 2 to 17, with more than 70% going to children of color.
These are just a few of the many good things happening at CASA MN and on behalf of children in our community. We are excited to share more details in our Annual Report, which will be available in October. Be sure to keep an eye out for it!
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to vulnerable children in our state. Together, we are making a difference, one child at a time.
In partnership,
Gerard Bodell
CASA MN Board of Directors President
CASA Minnesota (also known as CASA MN) is a nonprofit organization based in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area (serving Hennepin and Ramsey counties). Our mission is to support, train, and retain volunteer Guardians ad Litem (GALs)—court-appointed advocates who represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the child protection system.
Our volunteers play a critical role in court proceedings, ensuring that children’s educational, medical, living, and familial needs are represented and prioritized—even in a system that can often be overloaded and under-resourced. CASA MN emphasizes matching volunteer advocates to children with whom they share cultural backgrounds or experiences, fostering stronger, more meaningful advocacy connections.
Additionally, we run CASA Cares grants, providing up to $500 per year per child to support enrichment opportunities—such as summer camps, music lessons, sports equipment, or cultural activities—giving foster youth moments of joy and development that aren’t covered by government aid. To date, they’ve distributed over $180,000 in direct grants to children across the state.
