April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that protecting children is not just about reacting when harm has already occurred; it is about building strong families, supportive communities, and systems that notice warning signs early. This month highlights “protective factors” like parental resilience, social connections, and concrete support with housing, food, and childcare; conditions that reduce stress and lower the risk of abuse. Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) volunteers sit at the intersection of these ideas: they see up close how trauma affects children. The CASA/GAL volunteers point courts and agencies toward services that strengthen entire families, not only manage crises. In doing so they (you) help make the goals of Child Abuse Prevention Month real, one child, and one family, at a time.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are often the only adult that stays in a child’s life once they have entered the court system. While caseworkers, attorneys, and placements change, a CASA/GAL volunteer stays with their case child focused on one core mission: getting to know the child, understanding their needs, and speaking up for their best interests in court and in meetings.
CASA/GAL volunteers visit children regularly, talk with caregivers, teachers, and providers. They give judges grounded, child-centered recommendations about safety, permanency, and services. That kind of informed, stable presence means the difference between a child slipping through the cracks and a child getting timely mental health care, stable school placement, or a safe, permanent home. Think about giving your voice to a child that needs to be heard.
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CASA Minnesota (also known as CASA MN) is a nonprofit organization based in the Minnesota (serving Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, Wright counties and growing). 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 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. CASA Cares grants help children MOVE, CONNECT, and LEARN by providing opportunities that spark their imaginations, unleash their talents and bring them joy.
Learn how you can contribute here
