CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Sandi Fried has joined Jackson County CASA’s board of directors. Fried previously was a volunteer for CASA of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties, actively advocating on behalf of abused/neglected children under court protection.
Fried is the second generation of her family dedicated to helping the vulnerable children served by CASA. Jackson County CASA actually began as a National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) program before it became an independent nonprofit. Fried’s mother, Shirley White, was a founder of the original program and served on its first board of directors. White also served as a volunteer who accompanied children as they waited at the court house.
Today, the role of a CASA volunteer has expanded. With the support of the agency’s staff, CASA volunteers work to provide critical information to judges, helping them make the best possible decisions regarding where the children should live and what medical, therapeutic, and educational services they need. Children assigned a CASA volunteer are far less likely to be re-abused and far more likely to find a safe, permanent home. For the past five years, 95 percent of children with a CASA volunteer have not re-entered the Jackson County Court.
Jackson County CASA is now one of the largest CASA programs in the nation. Thanks to its supporters and volunteers, 1,250 abused/neglected children in Jackson County will have CASA volunteers by their side as they navigate the child welfare and court system this year. Sadly, that’s less than half of the children under the Jackson County Court’s protection. More volunteers are desperately needed.
Fried — who says that she has a soft spot for the underdog — says she was drawn to serve first as a CASA volunteer and now, as a board member, by a desire to volunteer for a program that can completely change and even save a child’s life.
“Because of the one-on-one relationships a CASA builds, the effect on a child’s life can be life altering,” she said.
The mother of four felt drawn to do some hands-on volunteering working with kids when her own children grew older.
“When working with CASA, you’re working with kids who are in the situation of being in foster care and being taken out of their homes through no fault of their own. I wanted the hands-on experience with flexibility in my schedule while helping someone.”
During her time as a volunteer, Fried saw the importance of the CASA volunteer being the one constant in children’s lives as they experience repeated changes in the professionals assigned to their cases.
“You file a court report and the judge looks at that really closely because you are the one who really has the most interaction with the kids. You are working one-to-one with the kids, so you have probably a better understanding of the case than anyone else. You feel like your work, your volunteer time and your opinion really count and are valued and important,” she said.
Fried took a hiatus from her work as a CASA volunteer because of the time commitment required when she became president of Jewish Family Services in 2013. She served in that role for two years followed by helping with the capital campaign to open the new JFS location in Brookside.
During that period, she got to know Jackson County CASA’s former executive director, Martha Gershun. Knowing that Fried had been a CASA volunteer and cared about the organization, Gershun asked her to consider filling the board position that opened when member Joy Koesten resigned due to her obligations when she was elected a Kansas State Representative.
“I’m proud to be part of a board for an organization that will help 1,250 kids this year. Look at the impact that it makes,” Fried said.
Jackson County CASA’s new executive director, Angie Blumel, says that she is thrilled that Fried has joined the organization’s board.
“I am grateful to Martha Gershun for making the connection and to Sandi for agreeing to serve on the board,” Blumel said. “Simply put, Sandi walks the talk. She gives generously of her time, talent and treasure. In her short time on the board, she has already made a significant impact by connecting the organization with new community partners and suggesting enhancements to our practices. Jackson County CASA is made better by Sandi’s involvement.”
Fried, who is also serving this year as the Kansas City Jewish Federation Campaign Chair, said that she would love to return to being a CASA volunteer when time permits.
“You read about these cases of abuse and say ‘What can I do to help?’ I think being a CASA volunteer is one of the ways we can help. You can make a profound difference in a child’s life by being a CASA.”
For more information about volunteering for Jackson County CASA, visit www.casakc.org or phone 816-984-8217.