At Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln, we desire more than just satisfied customers, but a commitment to the community. With every dealership goal we achieve, we also have the ability to help our community.
Your support of our dealership May – July helps to bring a voice for abused and neglected children through advocacy efforts of trained community volunteers. Our goal: $25,000.
The Sioux Falls Area CASA Program provides trained volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in the 2nd Judicial Circuit of South Dakota. These volunteers represent the victims of child abuse and neglect throughout the duration of circuit court proceedings to assist the judge in determining the children's legal and physical custodial placements.
Many children are caught up in the court and child welfare maze because they are unable to live safely at home. Into these children's lives come dozens of strangers...police officers, social workers, foster parents, therapists, judges, lawyers, and more. Hopefully one of these strangers is a CASA Volunteer.
CASA Volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They stay with each case until it is closed, and the child is living in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the only constant adult presence - the only adult who cares only for them!
Sioux Falls Area CASA Program Needs You!
The goal is to ensure that every child who needs a CASA has one. While new advocates are trained every quarter, they are still only able to serve less than half of those in need.
Advocating for CASA is unlike any other volunteer experience. It is the volunteer's duty to be the voice for the children who cannot speak for themselves. No prior experience necessary – you will be trained in the ways of CASA! Learn more>>
Brighter Futures and Stronger Communities
Children who have experienced abuse or neglect fare better with a CASA/GAL volunteer by their side. Studies have shown:
- They are more likely to find a safe, permanent home
- They are more likely to succeed in school
- They are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system
The Sioux Falls Area CASA Program relies on community donations from people like you!
It costs approximately $2.75 per day to support an abused and/or neglected child with advocacy efforts from trained volunteers, which equals $1,000 per year per child.
CASA FACTS
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates
The Sioux Falls Area CASA Program is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1994.
The Mission
The Sioux Falls Area CASA Program seeks to promote and protect the best interests of abused and neglected children through the advocacy efforts of trained community volunteers.
What is a CASA Volunteer Advocate?
A CASA Volunteer Advocate is an officer of the court. A judge appoints a special advocate to represent the best interest of an abused or neglected child in court proceedings.
A trained CASA Volunteer Advocate gathers information for the court. He or she recommends to the judge what the child needs to be safe and what is in the child’s best interest for a permanent home.
Why does a child need a CASA Volunteer Advocate?
While other parties in the case are concerned about the child, they also have other interests. The CASA is the only person whose sole concern is the best interest of the child. CASA Volunteer Advocates are assigned one case at a time.
Learn more about CASA Sioux Falls >>
