About

MISSION

 

At CASA of Larimer County (CLC), our mission is to advocate for safe, nurturing, and permanent connections to family and community so children who have experienced abuse and neglect can have the opportunity to thrive.

CLC is an independent, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID/EIN: 84-1048149). We serve children and families in Larimer & Jackson Counties.

our commitment to diversity, equity, & Inclusion

 

CASA of Larimer County is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment which celebrates diversity and cultivates belonging for children, families, and all other stakeholders. We strive to promote equitable, positive, and lasting change by embracing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.  We recognize our responsibility to listen and learn from historically underrepresented groups to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, accessibility, and belonging (DEIJAB).

We will continue to educate ourselves and hold ourselves accountable for creating a culture that reflects these values.  We are committed to eliminating barriers and disparities that exist within our organization and challenging those within our community. We actively challenge biases, promote equal opportunities, and nurture a safe environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

OUR STORY

1977

A Seattle juvenile court judge, concerned about issuing judgment on a case without having all the information about the children involved, established the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program to ensure children's best interests were represented in court.

1987

Ten years after the first CASA program was founded, Judge John-David “Sonny” Sullivan founded CASA of Larimer County – the first CASA program in Colorado. Motivated by the urgent need for child advocacy in the 8th Judicial District, our founders began recruiting and training CASA volunteers who were committed to speaking up for vulnerable children.

1991

The generous donation of the historic Ziegler farmhouse in Fort Collins enabled CASA of Larimer County to address community concerns about unsupervised custody exchanges and visits. The new space – named Harmony House – allowed us to launch our Family Connections program and provide supervised visitations and safe exchange services for families in the community.

2022

The Dependency & Neglect Court Magistrate mandated that every child with an active case on her circuit be appointed a CASA. This decision reflects the clear value that Court Appointed Special Advocates provide to the children and families they work with, and greatly increases the need for CASA volunteers in our community.

Also in 2022, we introduced Trust-Based Relational Intervention® as our third program. TBRI® is a meaningful, evidence-based training we can use to promote felt-safety, attachment, and healing for the children we serve, who have often lost trust. We are now able to offer TBRI® to our staff, volunteers, and the parents and caregivers of the children we serve.

Today,

we are proud of our journey and the strides we have made. Through the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and supporters like you, CASA of Larimer County has continued the work that Judge Sullivan began more than 30 years ago and become a catalyst for change in the lives of children who have endured unimaginable hardships. As our community grows, so does the need for special advocates for the children in the 8th Judicial District. Currently, more than 40 children in this community are waiting to connect with a CASA. We are determined to meet this need and encourage you to join us as we work to ensure that each child’s voice can be empowered.

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

 

We are an independent 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, not a government entity, and we are reliant on donations and volunteers to serve the children and families in this community. We receive funding from individual and corporate donors, federal, state, and local government grants, and philanthropic foundations.

 

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION

NATIONAL & LOCAL MEMBERSHIPS