$12,000 awarded to East Central CASA Program

The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $12,000 South Dakota Fund grant to East Central CASA Program. Funding will be used to support strategic planning initiatives focused on volunteer recruitment, retention, and fundraising efforts to strengthen the organization and better serve the children and achieve long-term goals.

"Grant funds from the South Dakota Community Foundation will be instrumental in strengthening our organization through strategic planning,” says Julie Wermers, East Central CASA Executive Director. “By focusing on volunteer recruitment, retention, and fundraising, we will be better equipped to serve vulnerable children in our community and achieve our long-term mission of advocating for their well-being and brighter futures. We are incredibly grateful for your support in helping us make a lasting impact."

Established in 2002, East Central CASA Program currently has 43 volunteers that are appointed to over 1,000 abused and neglected children in ten counties in the Third Judicial Circuit. CASA volunteers and staff work to ensure the children they represent have a voice in a complex court system and receive the support they need to thrive. Volunteers seek to promote and protect the best interest of the children by providing skilled, dedicated, and compassionate advocacy efforts.

“We are very proud to collaborate with East Central CASA Program to support children of neglect or abuse by giving them every opportunity to thrive,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “Having an advocate to offer support ensures they are taken seriously and that their rights are respected.”