CASA for Kids is a local non-profit organization serving Monroe, La Crosse, and Vernon counties. CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA for Kid’s vision centers around the belief that all children have an absolute right to be safe and have their voices heard, especially as it pertains to their own lives and the possible direction it could take. CASA for Kids specifically advocates for children’s best interests in child abuse cases, reporting directly to the judge, as the most informed entity on what may be the best course of action for the child.
It used to be that in open child abuse cases, children did not have a voice in what their outcome could be. They were not even able to share their thoughts on what they were struggling with, afraid of, or even what they were hoping for, or felt was best for themselves.
As well, there were no extra resources or support allocated for them. CASA for Kids creates a very accurate and effective report for the judge that is shared with all parties in court. But CASA shares their information and observations of the children directly with the judge. This provides the judge with an additional perspective on things that the child is or may be needing, or wanting, or what CASA believes is in the best interest of the child. CASA makes sure that everything is very transparent to the judge.
Anne Gordon, Director of CASA for Kids, which covers the counties of Monroe, La Crosse, and Vernon, sat down with the Herald and discussed where CASA is currently, as well as what their goals are for the future, Also discussed were what life events may have led Gordon down the road of advocating for children and reaching the top position within the CASA hierarchy. A warning, this story is not for the faint of heart, but it is a direct note in recorded history of kindness prevailing over a hellish evil.
The Blueprint
The CASA for Kids organization itself, is made up of community volunteers, who are trained to become CASAs alongside children in need of protection and other services. Of the 72 counties in Wisconsin, only 14 counties have a CASA program. As stated, CASA for Kids serves three of those fourteen. They have been making big changes and creating ripples lately, in hopes of amassing enough volunteers to serve the 100 children currently on their waitlist.
CASA for Kids is comprised of a two-person team that has firsthand and direct life experiences with the very atrocities that the children they are helping are going through right now. “We strive daily, in every CASA endeavor, to make a difference,” said Director, Anne Gordon. “We are making a healthy and intentioned investment in the very foundation of our community’s futures — the children.”
Abuse and Hardship Builds CASA for Kids Director
Anne Gordon - Executive Director for CASA for Kids, and Brittney Waraxa - Case Manager for CASA for Kids, are supported by a network of volunteers and a board of directors, who share in the same energies of mission, vision, and values — to speak up for children from abuse. One would be hard-pressed to find another director who understands the need to uplift children’s voices in these cases more than CASA’s Executive Director, Anne Gordon.
Gordon understands the children her organization represents because she, herself, lived through that abusive childhood. From her childhood to early adulthood, Anne, as a child, watched as her mother experienced domestic violence, while her father was struggling with substance abuse, in addition to growing up in poverty.
Gordon endured many forms of abuse and was out of her home several times, with short informal stays with relatives. She was a child, in a solo battle against the tyranny of abuse from the very humans that were supposed to love her and protect her. It was a disheartening and sorrowful situation.
As early as she can remember, her home life was dysfunctional, resulting in foster care placement at the age of four. The spectrum of abuse continued throughout her early life, and by middle school she had begun running away, to escape from the brutal nightmare. When she finally reunited with her biological father, at age 15, he was still struggling with substance abuse, eventually passing away just after Anne turned 18.
Tragic Loss, Strong Soul
At age 19, Anne Gordon became pregnant with her first child, which she lost to a genetic medical condition, at the age of 2 and a half. Throughout all the hardships Anne faced, a thought that had very little reason to stick around, kept making the rounds between Gordon’s heart and her mind — there is kindness left in the world. Anne Gordon harvested all the kindness that was given to her in her lifetime, storing it all in her heart, to use for fuel when the moment was right.
Annes Path, Anne’s Plea
Anne’s path led her to CASA for Kids, where that stored kindness flows out on a minute-by-minute basis, with every child helped or help is facilitated. Shortly after arriving at CASA for Kids, Anne began her journey, moving from program coordinator to program director, with the support of her predecessor, Jessie Fortuna, and former colleague, Tom Rhorer, who is now an active board member. “I want to use all my childhood experiences to shape my compassion, drive, and purpose in life,” Gordon stated. “I want to grow CASA to serve all our 100 children that are on our waitlist, and I can’t do that without community support and child advocates. We are working to rebuild the organization to a higher standard of child advocacy, while keeping in mind the challenges families face each day; still prioritizing children’s voices. Trust me when I say, I know how that child is feeling and what they are going through.”
The Advocate Volunteer
Court Appointed Special Advocates are committed community members wanting to do whatever they can to promote and lift up the good in this world. They are interviewed, screened, trained, and swear an oath in court, to “Faithfully protect and promote the best interest of each child they represent.”
Their interactions are monitored, tracked, and supported by CASA staff and they assist in the court reports submitted to the judges. They also attend court hearings and advocate for additional systems of support for these children. They express the children’s needs, wants, deficits, achievements, and their own recommendations, based on their interactions and observations, in a CASA report.
Volunteer advocates see their assigned child on a weekly basis, building a positive presence in the child’s life and gathering information for the court to make the best decision possible. “This is why CASA for Kids is important,” Anne Gordon stated. “This is CASA’s call to action, to the communities in the counties of Monroe, La Crosse, and Vernon.”
If you or anyone you know would like to learn more on becoming a child advocate or show support in other ways, visit their website at www.casaforkids.org or reach out directly to Anne Gordon, at Agordon@casaforkids.org
From CASA for Kids:
Our Mission
To promote the best interests of children in abuse and neglect cases, by providing court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteers in care and protection proceedings under Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Our Vision
We believe that all children have a right to be safe and have their voices heard.
Our Values
-We value every child's right to a safe and permanent home.
-We value child-centered advocacy, service, and collaboration.
-We value honesty, integrity, and compassion.
-We value accountability and commitment.
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