Open Letter: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA

­Dear Community Member,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Kelsey Schnur and I am the Executive Director for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Midwest PA, a new non-profit organization sewing Clarion, Lawrence, and Mercer counties. I am reaching out to share our mission. CASA of Midwest PA works to help provide children who have experienced abuse or neglect with a safe, supportive, and permanent home by empowering competent, responsible, and compassionate community volunteers to advocate for their best interests in court.

There are over 450 children who are eligible to be assigned to CASA in Clarion, Mercer, and Lawrence Counties—children who have faced unimaginable hardships and are navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. These children need a voice, someone who will stand by their side and advocate for their best interests. That’s where CASA comes in.

We recruit, train, and support dedicated volunteer advocates who are appointed by the court to represent the most challenging cases. These advocates provide stability, guidance, and hope to children who often feel unheard. We are in need of volunteers now! If you or someone you know is interested in learning about this volunteer opportunity, please reach out today.

To learn how you can support CASA of Midwest PA, please visit www.casamidwest.org. If you are interested in a representative coming to your business, organization, or group to speak about CASA or would like to discuss how you can support our mission, I would be happy to connect with you. Please feel free to reach me at 724-761-1263 or kschnur@casamidwestpa.org.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of foster children in our region. Together, we can ensure that no child’s voice goes unheard.

With gratitude,

Kelsey Schnur, Executive Director

CASA of Midwest PA