FY 2026 IMPACT REPORT CASA for Kids Effingham, Fayette & Jasper Counties 203 E Grove Ave Effingham, IL 62401 (855) 484-6403 Edwards, Franklin, Hamilton Wayne & White Counties 205 Bailey Lane Suite 2E Benton, IL 62812 (618) 438-0608 116 E Schwartz St Salem, IL 62881 (855) 484-6403 Clay, Clinton & Marion Counties casa4change.org

6 11315FINANCIALS Financial Statement Fundraising Success Partner Acknowledgements CASA FOR KIDS Letter from Leadership Mission & Vision Board & StaffBY THE NUMBERS Program Data Volunteer Recognition Volunteer Impact New Volunteers Stories of Hope TABLE OF CONTENTS 14 HOW TO HELP Volunteer, Donate, Share the MissionLOOKING FORWARD Fiscal Year 2027 Goals

Dear Friends and Supporters, Over the past fiscal year, CASA for Kids continued to make meaningful progress in advancing our mission to advocate for children and youth across rural Southern and South Central Illinois. Through the unwavering dedication of our staff and volunteer advocates, we served 580 children, representing a 12% increase over the previous year. As the need for advocacy continues to grow, we remain committed to recruiting, training, and supporting compassionate volunteers who ensure every child has a consistent, highly trained advocate by their side. Each day, we witness the profound difference a CASA advocate can make in the lives of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, and trauma. Yet this work is not one we can accomplish alone. Meeting the growing needs of vulnerable children requires the collective support of volunteers, community partners, donors, and advocates who share a common belief: every child deserves a safe, permanent, and nurturing home where they can heal, grow, and succeed. Together, we have expanded our reach to serve eleven counties throughout Southern and South Central Illinois. In FY27, we will complete our regional expansion with the addition of Shelby and Wabash Counties, extending advocacy services to even more children who need a voice. As we look ahead, our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that every child we serve is given the opportunity to thrive. This is only possible because of community supporters, like you. Thank you for being invested in this important work alongside our staff and volunteers. A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Mariah Hayes Executive Director 3Mariah Hayes With Gratitude,

Imagine what it feels like to be a child in foster care. OUR MISSIONEffinghamClinton 2nd Judicial Circuit Court 4th Judicial Circuit Court CASA for Kids They are waiting for a CASA volunteer to help them find a safe, permanent home. 4 The mission of CASA for Kids is to provide court appointed volunteer advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the counties we are assigned in the Second and Fourth Judicial Court Circuits.JasperFayetteMarionClayHamiltonWayneFranklinWhiteEdwards OUR VISION CASA for Kids is a locally-run non-profit organization that provides advocacy across Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Hamilton, Jasper, Marion, Wayne and White Counties. Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained to speak up for the best interest of the children they serve. Every child is given an opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

STAFFMARIAH HAYES Executive Director DIANE SIMPSON President, Franklin County MICHAEL OLIVER Vice President, Franklin CountyBOARD & STAFF CHRIS ELY Treasurer, Franklin County AMY CALCETERRA Franklin County WAYNE SHANNON Ex Officio, Franklin County JOHN PRUDENT Franklin County LYNN BRADEN Hamilton County RENE GOZIA Marion County Board StaffLIBBY MOELLER Deputy DirectorAMBER KING Communications Director TrainerCHER MITCHELL Fund & HR CoordinatorJENNIFER PUMMILL Program Director Effingham, Fayette & Jasper CountiesMARCI GLOVER Program Director Franklin CountyTAVAN HIESTAND Program Director Clay, Clinton, Marion & Wayne CountiesDOLLIE VOGLER Lead Supervisor Clinton & Marion CountiesERIKA GIVENS Lead Supervisor Fayette CountyJAMIE WILSON Case Outreach Coordinator Effingham, Fayette & Jasper CountiesDANNY FARRIS Case Outreach Coordinator Clay & Marion CountiesALBERT WEBER Case Outreach Coordinator Franklin CountyZOE BRIDGES Volunteer Outreach CoordinatorKATHRYN HOLSTLAW Dual Status Youth Coordinator Marion CountyMICHAEL OLIVER IT Support 5

Every child deserves stability, meaningful connections, and the opportunity to thrive. For children and youth in foster care, these needs are especially critical. On average, children in foster care experience 2.7 placements during their time in care, requiring them to repeatedly adjust to new homes, schools, communities, and relationships. Amid this uncertainty, CASA volunteers provide something truly invaluable: continuity and connection. They help preserve each child's story by understanding where they have been, recognizing where they are today, and advocating for their unique needs, goals, and wishes. While many professionals play important roles in a child's case, CASA is the only organization focused solely on the best interests of the child. Best Interest Advocacy11626----111157Children's Age Ranges05+249183913126182nd Judicial Circuit Court4th Judicial Circuit CourtTotal Children Served580360220< 1 1 2 3 4+ 0 10 20 30 40 50Time in Foster Care for Closed Children Years in Foster Care Number of Children 6

– Alex, Volunteer“It’s been a wonderful experience getting to know my appointed kids. I initially decided to volunteer because I Court Hearings1,2711,271605605 Court Reports Written787878353535 Volunteer Advocates 113113113 CASA for Kids volunteers helped 139 children to achieve permanency in FY26, with half of these children being reunified with their parent(s). Our volunteers continue to provide advocacy and hope for children who have experienced abuse or neglect in their communities. CASA VOLUNTEER IMPACTof Volunteers Work Full-Time70%70%70% 4 Judicial Circuit th 2 Judicial Circuit nd New Volunteers Sworn in3030309,4929,4929,492Volunteer Hours 1,4641,464 Child Visits50%38%10%2% Reunification - 70 Non/Relative Adoption - 53 Guardianship - 13 Independence - 3139139139 Children Achieved Permanencywanted to make a positive impact for my community,impact on me! They can rely on me to be therebut I’ve found that the kids have made a lastingevery month to visit and check-in.” 8

VOLUNTEERS 2026 CASA for Kids Each name represents an extraordinary individual who decided to use their time and energy to make a difference in the lives of children in their community. Leslie Aaron Kathryn Adams Sasha Althoff Don Austill Marcy Bailey Leanne Bales Angela Baltzell Pamela Boyd Glenna Bragg Zachary Brandenburg Sarah Buhnerkempe Victoria Buhnerkempe Lindsay Burgess Traci Burner Amanda Cannon Jenny Carlson Amanda Christian Cheryl Connelly Lori Connor Kaitlyn Cooper Lisa Cornell Amanda Coryell Leslie Cox Patricia Crawford Stacie DeLong Alexandria Denoyer Jo Ann Doody Susan Dunlap Olivia Edmonds Susan Eilman Amanda Emmerich-Shamhart Sheila English J (Lyn) Entrikin L. Kay Fritch Stephanie Gansauer Amanda Gatewood Karen Geier Audrey Givens Cheryl Glover Lindsay Goebel Meagan Greenwood Nancy Gulley Maureen Habing Elizabeth Hiestand Jesse Hinds Shannon Hinkle Darrick Holloman Rhyta Hooks Ashley Jansen LuAlice Kampwerth Tera Keller Allissa Keoughan Deborah Kordick Tammy Leslie Katelyn Lidy Isabel Lira Tiffany Lucas Gina Masset Lindsey McCoy Jr DeDe McElravy Shannon McKee Karissa Moore Liam Mungovan Sheila Niederhofer Sally Niemeyer Destiny Noffke Patricia Pierceall Rachel Pitcher Kylie Pool Carla Pulliam Amanda Rakers Greta Rathburn Randall Reese Sharon Reese Kaci Reiss Tiffany Rush Tabitha Rusk Lee Ann Schmidgall Ashley Scott Carrie Scott Michelle Scott GG Severs Elizabeth Shuler Jami Sidwell Sarah Simmons Shawna Sprague Carolyn Spraul Candi Staples Amy Strake Lisa Strullmyer J osh Sullens Liberty Szczeblewski Norma Tackett Tiffany Toney Ashley Utley Janet Vahling Seferina Van Pelt Samantha Von Bokel Janice Weihe Glenda Westemeier Carrie Wharton Kimberly Whipple Brenda Wilkerson Steve Woodfin Teresa Wortman Adrienne Wright Ashley Wright Brandice Yates Sarah Zerrusen Stephanie Zimmerman 7

In FY 2026, 30 community members completed training and were sworn into the court system, and began their journey as a Court Appointed Special Advocate! 21. 9

“M” has spent almost his whole life bouncing in and out of foster care. He spent years moving through multiple placements and residential facilities. M watched as his siblings found permanency, as he remained, which understandably left him feeling lonelier and more isolated than ever. Five years ago, M was assigned a CASA advocate. Through every move, every setback, and every new environment, M’s CASA advocate remained. For five years, M’s CASA showed up without fail. She built relationships with staff, counselors, and caregivers at every placement. She never missed a meeting, a phone call, a FaceTime, a birthday, or a holiday. When everything else in his life changed, she didn’t. M once displayed behaviors that those around him struggled to understand, and before long his permanency goal was changed to “unable to be provided for in a home environment.” For M, it felt like one more label added to years of pain, loss, and instability.Yet through it all, his CASA remained. With steady advocacy, encouragement, and unwavering consistency, M slowly began to trust, and with that trust, he began to grow. Today, M is maintaining a job. M has become a mentor to the other youths in the residence he resides in. Recently, during their weekly check-in, M called his advocate to inform her that he has qualified to begin transitioning to independent living. For the past five years, M has only had two people on his call and visit list: whichever caseworker was assigned at the time, and his CASA advocate. The caseworker’s name may have changed, but his CASA advocate remained the same. M’s story will always be our reminder that sometimes all it takes is one committed adult to change the entire direction of a child’s life. Stories of Hope THE POWER OF COMMITMENT How One CASA Volunteer’s Consistency Changed a Child’s Life We recently celebrated the adoption of two siblings who had spent three years in care. During their first year, the children experienced multiple placements, including homes that were unsafe and unable to meet even their most basic needs. One placement had no beds for the young children, no food in the home, and neither adult caregiver had a driver’s license or reliable transportation. The children also had numerous unmet medical needs. Although the agency initially disagreed with the advocate’s concerns, the GAL attended a visit alongside the advocate and witnessed the conditions firsthand. Because of the advocate’s calm, consistent advocacy and thorough reporting, the court ordered the children to be removed from that placement. ADVOCATING FOR SAFE, LOVING & PERMANENT HOMES They were moved to a safe, nurturing home where they have been thriving, and both children have now been adopted into a loving family that provides the stability, care, and security all children deserve. 10

Individual, Corporate & ChurchesGrantsGrantsCountyFundraising$1,107,690$97,529$42,990$15,000TOTAL REVENUE$1,263,209 7%FINANCIALS Fiscal Year 2026 At CASA for Kids, each dollar is stewarded with the same care our volunteers bring to the children they serve. We take our donors’ trust seriously, and we're committed to showing our community exactly how their support changes outcomes for kids in foster care. We strive to keep administrative and fundraising costs kept low so that more funds go directly where they matter most: to recruit, train, and supervise CASA volunteer advocates to serve children in foster care. 11

From July 2025 through June 2026, CASA for Kids maintained a steady calendar of small‑ to mid‑scale fundraising events across all eleven counties we serve. Our signature golf scrambles and bingo/trivia nights continued to be our most reliable and well‑attended fundraisers, helping us engage supporters in each community while generating essential revenue for advocacy services. These events not only strengthened local awareness of CASA’s mission but also provided consistent, grassroots financial support that directly contributed to program growth, volunteer recruitment, and expanded services in new counties like Clay and Jasper. 12

Thanks to Our Donors?

G O A L T W O G O A L O N E G O A L T H R E E 30. IMPACT REPORT INCREASE ADVOCACY OF CASA VOLUNTEERS INCREASE EQUITY FOR CHILD VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN COOK COUNTY IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH IN CARE WITH STRATEGIC FOCUS ON HIGH-RISK DEMOGRAPHICS Serve 20% of children in Cook County foster care by 2025 Annually hire 3 additional Advocate Supervisors Annually hire 1 additional Case Manager Annually hire 1 additional Volunteer Trainer Annually Recruit & Train 120 New CASA Volunteers Annually Conduct 6 CASA Volunteer Training Classes Annually Increase diversity of CASA volunteers by 10% for Males, People of Color, Bilingual and LGBTQ+ Hire a Psychologist to focus on multi-tiered trauma Hire a Reunification and Family Resource Manager Hire an Advocate Supervisor with specialized focus for youth in care with incarcerated parents Conduct continuing education for volunteers with specific focus on trauma, cultural competency, diversity, and reunification supports for children at risk for juvenile justice involvement and/or with incarcerated parents WHAT'S NEXT Our 3-Year Growth Plan FY23 FY24 FY25 650 395 800 515 1000 635 850 1050 Children Served CASA Volunteers

31. IMPACT REPORT HOW YOU CAN HELP Share the story of CASA of Cook County with your community to help recruit new volunteers and raise funds so that we can change the story for more children in Cook County foster care. ATTEND AN EVENT Check our calendar for upcoming events, all to benefit children in Cook County foster care. BECOME A ADVOCATE Change a child story. Apply online today! MAKE A DONATION Your gift will allow us to recruit, train and supervise CASA volunteer advocates to serve more children in foster care. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Follow for updates, how you can get involved and volunteer stories. Join Our Mission /CASAofCookCo @casaofcookcounty @CASAofCookCo CASA of Cook County

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