On October 26, members of The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals hosted the last Civic Engagement series event of 2023. This year, the Civic Engagement series has been focused on giving YPs ways to learn about important community topics, along with meaningful ways to get involved through service and volunteerism.

The program featured Laura Farmer, executive director for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri. Farmer talked about the history of CASA, organizational outcomes from the year 2022, and ways that young professionals can get involved with their mission.

In her overview, Farmer shared that CASA volunteers serve as both a mentor and an advocate for children in the Southwest Missouri region. The impact for CASA includes children spending less in foster care, children achieving more, more stability in foster homes, children being less likely to re-enter foster care, and saving taxpayers over $24,000 annually. In 2022, over 450 children were served by over 300 CASA advocates.

Farmer also shared various ways for our young professionals to get involved, which could include being a CASA advocate, participating in event sponsorship, applying to be on the board, and raising awareness for the mission.

Following the presentation, Network members had the opportunity to ask follow-up questions and view the new CASA headquarters and clubhouse.