This report details the activities and financials of CASA for Kids for fiscal year 2026, including a letter from leadership, mission and vision, board and staff, program data, volunteer recognition, stories of hope, and financial statements.
This document is the FY 2026 Impact Report for CASA for Kids, a non-profit organization providing court-appointed special advocate services for children in foster care across 11 counties in Southern and South Central Illinois. It is intended for donors, volunteers, and community partners.
The report opens with a letter from Executive Director Mariah Hayes, highlighting that the organization served 580 children in FY 2026, a 12% increase over the previous year. It outlines plans for regional expansion into Shelby and Wabash Counties in FY 2027.
The mission and vision sections explain that CASA for Kids provides trained volunteer advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. The document lists the board of directors and staff, including program directors for each county.
Program data shows that 113 volunteer advocates served 580 children, conducted 1,271 court hearings, wrote 1,271 court reports, and performed 9,492 volunteer hours. 139 children achieved permanency, with 70 reunified with parents, 53 adopted by relatives or non-relatives, 13 placed in guardianship, and 3 achieving independence.
The report includes a list of 2026 volunteers and two stories of hope: one about a child named M who benefited from a consistent advocate over five years, and another about siblings who were adopted after an advocate identified unsafe conditions.
Financial statements for FY 2026 show total revenue of $1,263,209, with $1,107,690 from individual, corporate, and church grants, $97,529 from grants, $42,990 from county fundraising, and $15,000 from other sources. The report also describes fundraising events such as golf scrambles and bingo/trivia nights.