Our Mission
CASA SHaW provides well-trained, trauma-informed volunteers to serve as advocates in court for children living in foster care. Our goal is to ensure that every child served has a safe, permanent home and the resources and services needed to thrive and not just survive adverse childhood experiences. We are committed to educating ourselves and the community about the causes and impacts of child abuse and neglect, the need for racial equity in a disproportionate system, and how to best advocate for and meet the needs of children in foster care in Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties.
Our Vision
Our vision is for every child in foster care to have a voice in court, to have the tools and services they need to thrive, and to find their forever families.
CASA’s Core Values
C H I L D
COMPASSION
We are a caring organization with compassionate and empathetic staff, board and advocates. We recognize that the children and families whom we serve have experienced significant trauma. With understanding and without judgment, we respectfully engage with our families and our child welfare system partners while honoring our cultural differences and diverse experiences.
HOPE
With the best interests of the child at the fore and best practices in action, we strive to change the trajectory of a child’s future by advocating for their safety, stability, overall health and well-being, and permanency. We believe that with the right interventions and supports, children who have suffered abuse and neglect can find the health, happiness, and safety every child deserves.
INTEGRITY
We at CASA SHaW always strive for excellence. We act with integrity in all aspects of our work – financially, interpersonally, in our casework, and with our community partners. We are accountable for our actions, we communicate openly and effectively, and we acknowledge our mistakes. Professionally, we continually educate ourselves as we update best practices and foster ethical development. We are good stewards of the mission and resources to which we have been entrusted.
LEADERSHIP
Whether dealing with families, colleagues, resource parents, donors or supporters, we work hard to build trust, foster open communication, and develop and maintain positive relationships. We ask for and offer collaboration with other stakeholders. We are committed to fostering initiatives that benefit the children we serve and freely share our intellectual resources with others. We take a leadership role wherever we can in an effort to help our children not just survive but thrive.
DEDICATION
Each staff member, board member, and advocate is dedicated to our child advocacy mission. We work collaboratively and diligently to provide each member of our team with the tools they need to succeed in their roles. We are committed to be thorough and objective fact finders who keep the child’s best interest at the heart of the work we do. We are committed to serving as the child’s advocate for as long as they need one throughout the foster care experience.