About Us

Empowering children. Inspiring change.

CASA of Calhoun County is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. As a local program of the national CASA/GAL network, we empower trained volunteers to be a steady, reliable voice for children navigating the child welfare and court systems.

WHAT DO WE DO?

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Our mission is to provide volunteer advocacy within the court system and the community on behalf of children in the foster care system who have experienced abuse and neglect. We are committed to serving every child we can, regardless of race, background, or identity, because we believe every child deserves a safe, supportive, and permanent home where they can thrive.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Volunteering your time or donating to CASA of Calhoun County helps provide a powerful voice for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Court Appointed Special Advocates support children throughout the court process, ensuring their needs are heard and their best interests are prioritized. By giving your time as a trained advocate or contributing financially, you help CASA offer stability, guidance, and hope to some of the community’s most vulnerable children. Your support directly impacts their safety, well-being, and future.

VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteers undergo extensive training on trauma, child development, child welfare, advocacy, DEI, and the court system. Volunteers are matched with a supervisory staff who provides ongoing mentorship and support. They are then sworn in as court officers and intentionally matched with a child or sibling group, whom they meet weekly for the entire court case. Volunteers receive a court order that gives them access to all information pertaining to the child. This is unique to this position, as no other role entrusts volunteers or paid individuals outside of the child welfare system.

Meet the Team

Josita Todd

CASA CC Board President

About Josita I'm from Battle Creek, Calhoun County. And as I reflect on growing up in Calhoun County and how the spirit of community support has evolved. My memories of neighbors acting as advocates and role models paint a beautiful picture of a connected past. I see a powerful connection between that past and the mission of CASA CC today. In times of uncertainty and adversity, having trained community volunteers to advocate for children in the court system is incredibly valuable. My personal journey, from being helped as a child to now having the time and passion to give back after retiring from corporate America, is an inspiring testament to the enduring importance of helping our children.

Lauren Crockett

Disability Specialist

About Lauren I began my career in child welfare, after about 9 years doing front line work, I was also a supervisor for foster care. My career in child welfare was fulfilling, when I left I knew I had to stay involved because advocating for youth in foster care became part of who I am and is very important to me. I believe that we need to protect our most vulnerable citizens. However, it takes strength, resilience, perseverance, and a voice that will be heard. When I was initially asked to be on the advisory committee and then on the board I knew this was a way I could still be invested in foster care in Calhoun County. A CASA is not only important to the youth, but to the caseworker who works most closely with the family. Having CASA in Calhoun County is something that many have wanted for a long time. My work now in disability gives me another perspective on the children and families we serve and the importance of seeing each person as an individual. In my spare time I enjoy working out, reading, traveling and watching sunsets. My daughter is esthetician and lives in Hawaii, and my son is an apprentice with the IBEW. My husband, has worked in finance at Kellogg for 10 years. My family is the most important to me. Bonus: I have 5 cats.

Adela Leonard

LMSW

About Adela I’m a licensed mental health therapist and adult adoptee committed to justice and child advocacy. My CASA work is driven by empathy, lived experience, and a belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

J.R. Reynolds

Author

About J.R. J.R. is a leadership coach and social justice consultant. His debut book is Something Bigger Than Ourselves: Essays on the Complexities of Race in America. He is Board President of The Arc of Calhoun County, co-founded an elementary school reading program, has four children and enjoys running.

Helen de Finta

BA, MSW, ACSW

About Helen As a retired social worker who provided counselling services to primary and niddle school children I saw what these kids struggled with. It is important to be able to provide a place of safety for them to grow up with stability and hope which is what I work for with CASA .

Terrence Lytle

Certificate Peer Support Specialist and Recovery Coach

Robert Miller

Executive Director

About Robert Robert is a nonprofit leader, educator, and advocate with a Master of Public Administration and a passion for community-driven change. They have taught college courses and founded an international nonprofit organization focused on empowering communities through collaboration and local advocacy. Robert believes strongly in the power of relationships and shared leadership to create meaningful, lasting impact. When not working, they enjoy collaborating with new partners, spending time with their spouse, and hanging out with their dog.