Compassionate and broad advocacy for infants, children, and youth who are trauma-impacted or system-involved.
CASA First (Court Appointed Special Advocates, First Judicial District) recruits, trains and supports passionate Court Appointed Volunteer Advocates, “CASAs”, who are a voice in and out of court for infants, children and youth from Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties, who are currently in foster care. Each child or group of siblings is assigned a Volunteer Advocate who ensures they are safe and have a caring adult in their corner. We also train and assign “Abrigo” Advocates to children and youth who are not actively in the foster care system, but have been impacted by trauma or system-involved, to ensure they have the practical and emotional supports needed to thrive.
Here’s how our model is working:
95% of our CASAs responded that their child was safer by virtue of them being assigned a CASA Advocate on a case.
Check out our impacts from last year
in our Annual Report here!
CASA Reflection: Sparking Joy with Sebastian
During my visits with Sebastian, I have come to know the eleven other youth at the group home where he lives. This past Christmas I rallied a bunch of generous friends to help provide a great Christmas for all the kids there. We provided Christmas trees and decorations for both the girls’ and boys’ units, personalized stockings and ornaments, and even held a cookie decorating party.
One of my hairdresser friends visited and gave them each a haircut for the holidays. I also met with each youth to get an individualized Christmas gift wish from them, and my friends helped purchase EVERYTHING they asked for. These kids, some of whom do not have any family in their lives, were blown away and watching them open their gifts was one of the highlights of my life.”
Check out more of the reflections shared by our CASAs and Abrigo Advocates here.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer with Us
Our CASA First Advocates are caring,
community volunteers who connect with,
stand up for, and support children who
have experienced maltreatment,
are system-involved, or are at risk.
Make A Donation
Your gift can help make a lifelong difference for children who are or have been in foster care,
or have experienced trauma.
Help us make sure each of these children has a CASA First advocate to protect them.
Follow Us On Social Media
Attend One of Our Events
Will you help?
Your one-time or recurring donation to CASA First gives children who are system-involved, trauma-impacted, or at-risk a powerful voice in court, at school, and in our community.
Your generous support helps sustain our vision of a safe, positive, and
loving future for all children in our community.
Thank You to Our Supporters
Doris Goodwin Walbridge
Foundation
466 W. San Francisco Street
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 820-1500