CASA of Los Angeles (CASA/LA) organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Through an intentional, restorative and culturally relevant lens, we train committed, consistent and caring adults who provide equitable access to resources and life-affirming connections.
Our Values
CASA volunteers help children feel like they have someone to listen to them. Being heard gives them a sense of control. In a system where their needs and wishes are often disregarded or ignored, having an adult actively paying attention to what they say means everything. Even if the results aren’t instant, it plants a seed in their mind that they are worthy of respect. That is something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
— Attorney, Children’s Law Center
History
In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interest of children, in the courtroom and the community, who have experienced abuse and neglect. From that first program has grown a network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem programs that are recruiting, training and supporting volunteers in 49 states and the District of Columbia.Today, CASA of Los Angeles is one of the largest CASA programs in the country, affiliated with the California CASA Association and the National CASA Association of 949 community-based programs and over 76,000 volunteers serving 251,000 children nationwide.
Adriana Lopez
Advocacy Team Manager
323-859-2888 ext. 6317
Stefanie Jadidi
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext. 6337
Cristian Lopez
Advocate Supervisor
657-767-5603
Joseph Luciani-Cervantes
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext. 6313
Ben Miller
Advocacy Team Manager
323-859-2888 ext. 6365
RitaRenne Najla Muhammad
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext.6407
Carolyn McGee
Advocacy Team Manager
323-859-2888 ext. 6327
Chelsea O’Neill
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext. 6370
Jessica Rivas Valle
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext. 6305
Jontae Watkins
Advocate Supervisor
323-859-2888 ext. 6341
Training Specialist
323-859-2888 ext. 6566
Sheila Hernandez
Manager of Volunteer Administration
323-859-2888 ext. 6315