April’s Non-Profit of the Month award goes to CASA of Westmoreland. This year marks a significant milestone for CASA of Westmoreland as the organization celebrates 20 years of dedicated service to children in need. For two decades, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has worked tirelessly to support abused and neglected children across Westmoreland County, providing them with a voice during some of the most challenging times in their lives.
Founded with the help of Judge Feliciani, Chip Funari, and Joe Shearer, the organization has grown into a vital community resource. Over the past 20 years, CASA has served more than 1,000 children and continues to evolve to meet increasing needs.
This month is a fitting time for CASA – April is recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month. April reminds us of the urgency of CASA’s mission: to recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers who advocate in court on behalf of abused and neglected children. These volunteers play a critical role, ensuring each child’s voice is heard while helping guide decisions that shape their future.
CASA advocates work with children from birth through age 21, providing a consistent, supportive presence in their lives. They build relationships, monitor well-being, and ensure that each child’s needs are being met. Volunteers also document their observations and conversations, presenting vital information during court hearings to help judges make the best possible decisions.
The ultimate goal is permanency—a safe, stable, and lasting home. Children who go through the CASA program are twice as likely to achieve that outcome.
Each year, CASA of Westmoreland serves between 130 and 150 children, including 133 children in 2025. Despite this impact, the need continues to grow. Currently, more than 45 children remain on a waitlist, underscoring a critical need for additional volunteers. One initiative CASA has is to have a waitlist of volunteers instead of a waitlist of children needing services. Volunteering consists of as little as 5-10 hours per month on average.
CASA is more than an organization—it’s a community. With eight full-time staff members, an active board, and more than 60 dedicated volunteers, the program thrives on the compassion and commitment of those who step forward to help.
As the organization celebrates its 20th anniversary, it is also looking ahead. The need for CASA advocates has never been greater, and community members are encouraged to consider volunteering to make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
Additionally, CASA of Westmoreland is still welcoming registrations for its annual Leadership Breakfast on April 24, an opportunity for the community to learn more about its mission and support its work. The deadline to register for this event is April 17th.
Thank you, CASA of Westmoreland staff, advocates, volunteers, and board members who are dedicated to helping out young children in our communities. We are proud to recognize CASA as April’s Non-Profit of the month!
