January Newsletter from Kansas CASA: 35 Years of Child Advocacy

Together, we stand for children in foster care.

Welcome to CASA on the Range, your source for updates, insights, and stories from Kansas CASA Association, Inc. that drive our mission forward. Stay informed, stay inspired, and join us in making a difference.

A new year always invites reflection—on where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and the hope we carry forward. This January feels especially meaningful as Kansas CASA Association, Inc. enters its 35th year of service to children across our state and proudly launches our anniversary theme, “35 Years of Child Advocacy.”

For thirty-five years, our mission has remained constant: to ensure that children who have experienced abuse and neglect are seen, heard, and advocated for in the court system. That mission is carried forward every day by the extraordinary local CASA programs and volunteers who show up—often quietly, always faithfully—for children who need stability, consistency, and someone in their corner.

From rural to urban communities, CASA is here to make a difference across the state of Kansas. In courtrooms, in child welfare meetings, and in moments no one else sees, advocates are listening to children’s fears, celebrating their small victories, and standing steady during their hardest days. That work is not easy. It requires patience, compassion, resilience, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to thrive.

As we begin this milestone year, I am filled with deep gratitude and pride—for the local programs who stretch limited resources to meet growing needs, for the volunteers who give their time and hearts so generously, and for the staff and supporters who make this work possible. The impact you create cannot be fully captured in numbers or reports; it lives in changed lives, restored hope, and futures made brighter because someone chose to care.

This anniversary is not just a celebration of years passed, but a promise to the children still waiting—for an advocate, for stability, for a voice. As we step into 2026 together, under the banner of 35 Years of Child Advocacy, may we carry forward the same dedication that has defined Kansas CASA Association, Inc. for 35 years, and may we never lose sight of the profound difference one caring adult can make in the life of a child.

Thank you for being part of this mission. Thank you for believing in children. And thank you for walking into this new year, and this historic chapter with us.

With gratitude,
Deena Gage
State Director
Kansas CASA Association, Inc.

On January 22, CASA voices from across Kansas filled the Rotunda with one powerful message: children in foster care deserve to be seen, heard, and prioritized.

CASA programs from the 1st, 2nd/21st, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 13th, 16th, 18th, and 25th Judicial Districts, as well as staff from Kansas CASA Association, Inc., came together in Topeka to meet with legislators and share the story of CASA—how our volunteers support children in foster care who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA is the one constant in a child’s life during the most frightening and challenging times, serving as both their voice in court and a steadfast advocate for their best interests. Through their presence, guidance, and care, CASA volunteers make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of the children they serve.

Throughout the day, volunteers, board members, and CASA staff, and supporters spoke from the heart—about the children they serve, the challenges they witness, and the life-changing difference a consistent, caring advocate can make. From rural to urban communities, CASA is here to make a difference across the state of Kansas, and that commitment was on full display as conversations unfolded in offices, hallways, and the Rotunda itself.

Together, our voices are stronger. Together, we can help ensure every child in foster care has someone standing beside them in court and in life.

Below, we invite you to experience a glimpse of this meaningful day through a video collage of moments captured at the Capitol—faces, conversations, and the shared purpose that drives our mission forward.

As we celebrate 35 Years of Child Advocacy, we are inviting our supporters to help us mark this milestone in a powerful way—by raising $35,000 in honor of 35 years of standing up for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Every dollar raised will help Kansas CASA Association, Inc. continue providing vital services and training to local CASA programs across the state, strengthening the advocates who speak up for children in court and work tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard.

This goal is more than a number. It represents 35 years of compassion, commitment, and community coming together for children who need someone in their corner. From rural to urban communities, CASA is here to make a difference across the state of Kansas—and with your support, we can continue this critical work for generations to come.

Join us in honoring our past and investing in our future. Click below to make your gift and be part of 35 for 35. Together, we can help ensure every child has a voice.

Looking for a way to support CASA while adding a little style to your day? Check out the Kansas CASA Shop! Every purchase helps raise awareness and supports the incredible work happening in CASA programs across 63 Kansas counties.

With options for direct shipping or local pickup in Baldwin City, it’s easier than ever to shop and make a difference.

🛍️ Browse the shop and place your order here: Kansas CASA Shop

📸 Don’t forget to share your new CASA gear on social media and tag us—we love seeing our supporters showing their CASA pride across Kansas!

Our Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding the mission of Kansas CASA Association, Inc. These dedicated leaders help shape our future and ensure we continue providing meaningful support and vital services to local CASA programs across the state—so that children who have experienced abuse and neglect have a strong voice in court and in their communities.

As we begin our 35th year under the theme “35 Years of Child Advocacy,” we are also looking ahead and seeking to grow our Board with individuals who bring professional expertise and a passion for serving children. We are currently recruiting board members with experience in the following areas:

*Financial Management / Financial Services

*Insurance

*Real Estate / Construction

*Utilities & Services

*Agriculture

*Manufacturing / Logistics / Distribution

*Education

We are especially interested in candidates who live or work in Southwest Kansas, Western Kansas, Northwest Kansas, Southeast Kansas, and Central Kansas, so our Board continues to reflect the diverse communities we serve and areas we hope to expand to in the future.

To learn more about our current Board members and their commitment to children in need—or to inquire about joining the Kansas CASA Association, Inc. Board of Directors—please contact Deena Gage, State Director, at statedirector@kansascasa.org

Today, on Kansas Day, we celebrate the beauty, spirit, and resilience of our great state—from its rolling prairies to its vibrant communities. We are grateful to live and serve in Kansas, where neighbors care for one another and communities come together for children in need. While CASA programs are making a difference in many counties, there are still communities without local CASA programs. If you’d like to learn more about how CASA can serve children in your area—or how you can help bring a program to your community—please reach out to me at statedirector@kansascasa.org.