It Started With One Judge—and 50 Volunteers
In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup faced a difficult reality: he was being asked to make life-changing decisions for children without having all the information he needed.
He believed there had to be a better way.
Judge Soukup imagined trained community volunteers who could get to know a child’s story, look beyond the paperwork, and bring an independent voice into the courtroom—one focused entirely on what was in that child’s best interest.
So, he asked the community for help.
Fifty people stepped forward. And the CASA movement was born.
What began with one judge and a small group of volunteers grew into a nationwide movement of people committed to making sure children involved in the child welfare system have someone who will listen to them, advocate for them, and consistently show up.
Today, CASA and Guardian ad Litem programs across the country continue the idea Judge Soukup started nearly 50 years ago: one caring, committed person can make an extraordinary difference in a child’s life.
Click here to watch a video from Judge David Soukup.
The CASA Movement Comes to New Jersey
It didn’t take long for the CASA movement to make its way to the Garden State.
New Jersey’s first CASA program was established in Essex County in 1986, followed by Morris County in 1987. As more communities recognized the difference a dedicated advocate could make in the life of a child in foster care, the movement continued to grow.
In 2000, CASA of New Jersey was established to help bring the CASA mission to communities throughout the state and strengthen the network of local programs already doing this important work.
Today, CASA of New Jersey supports community-based CASA programs through funding, training, public education, technical assistance, and statewide collaboration. By bringing local programs together to share resources, strengthen their work, and speak with a unified voice, CASA of New Jersey helps ensure that children and youth in foster care have powerful advocates standing beside them.
One movement. Communities across New Jersey. Thousands of lives impacted.
Our Story: Nearly 40 Years of Showing Up
Our story began in 1987, when CASA of Morris County was established as a project of the National Council of Jewish Women with one important purpose: to give children involved in the child welfare system a dedicated advocate and a voice.
As the need for advocacy grew, so did we.
CASA of Morris County became an independent nonprofit organization in 1991 and received 501(c)(3) status in 1992. Then, in 1996, at the request of the Family Court, our reach expanded into Sussex County—creating what is now CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties.
For nearly four decades, our organization has recruited, trained, and supported community volunteers who show up for children and teens during some of the most uncertain times in their lives. Our CASA volunteers listen, advocate, build connections, and remain focused on one thing: ensuring each child’s needs, voice, and best interests are heard.
Today, we are proud to be part of the nationwide CASA movement and an affiliate of CASA of New Jersey. But our work remains deeply local—one volunteer, one child, and one life-changing connection at a time.
Because for nearly 40 years, we’ve seen the difference that showing up can make.
