CASA of Southwestern Illinois seeks volunteers, board members and donations to support children
BELLEVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois needs your help to support over 800 kids in the foster care system.
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CASAs, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates, act as the “eyes and ears of the court.” These volunteers are paired with a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. They help judges make decisions in the best interest of the children. CASA of Southwestern Illinois, based in Belleville, serves over 800 kids in Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Bond and Randolph counties.
CASA of Southwestern Illinois is looking for donors, board members, volunteers and more, with a gala planned for April and upcoming training sessions scheduled for November and January. Retired Judge Elizabeth Levy serves on the organization’s Board of Directors, and she emphasized the importance of supporting this work to help kids grow up healthy and safe.
“Unfortunately, some children are placed in foster homes where they just languish,” Levy said. “They don’t get what they really need, and that’s one of the things that the volunteer can do for that child.”
Volunteers commit a minimum of five hours a month. They spend time with the child, playing games, coloring, or doing other activities and getting to know them and their circumstances. When it’s time to go to court, the CASA gives a report to help the judge decide what would be best for the child.
“It gives [children] stability. It gives them someone to turn to,” Levy said. “Just knowing that there’s someone there in their corner is immeasurable.”
Levy noted that the organization is looking for volunteers. Prospective volunteers must fill out a basic application and undergo a background check. They will then go through 30 hours of training. The next training is scheduled for the week of Nov. 9–13, 2026, with another training period scheduled for Jan. 11–16, 2027.
CASA of Southwestern Illinois also needs more members on their Board of Directors. This board meets once a month and oversees the organization. For more information about becoming a board member or a volunteer, you can call 618-234-4278.
But Levy is especially excited for the gala on April 17, 2027. Tickets cost $100 per person and include a catered dinner, an interactive dinner theater show, an oral auction and a silent auction. All proceeds go back to CASA of Southwestern Illinois so they can continue supporting kids in the foster care system.
For more information about the gala, including how to get tickets, how to sponsor, or how to donate, visit the official CASA of Southwestern Illinois website or contact 618-234-4278.
Levy and her team hope many people step up this holiday season, whether that’s as a volunteer, donor, board member or sponsor. She emphasized that they cannot do this work without the community’s support, but it’s important work to ensure kids who are experiencing major challenges can grow up to become “productive members of society.”
“Our mission is to recruit, train, supervise, and support volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and are involved in the judicial systems of St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, or Bond County, working to reduce physical and emotional and social harm to those kids,” Levy said, adding, “It’s very rewarding work.”
For more, visit the official website.
