Mission Statement

The mission of Gulf Coast CASA, Inc. is to provide screened, trained, and qualified community court-appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children and youth who are before the court because of allegations of abuse or neglect and to ensure they receive proper services and placement in safe, permanent, nurturing homes in the shortest time possible.

Vision

To improve the lives of all abused and neglected children and youth in state protective custody and help ensure that they receive appropriate services and placement in safe, permanent, nurturing homes within the shortest time possible.

History

Gulf Coast CASA, serving Brazoria, Matagorda, and Wharton Counties, is part of a national volunteer movement that began in 1977 when Judge David Soukup in Seattle decided he needed to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. His solution was to ask community volunteers to act as a “voice in court” for abused and neglected children. These Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASAs) provided him with the detailed information he needed to safeguard the children’s best interests and ensure that they were placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. The program was so successful that it was copied around the nation.

Gulf Coast CASA, serving Brazoria, Matagorda and Wharton Counties is a member of the National and Texas CASA Associations. CASA of Matagorda and Wharton Counties is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors.