WHO WE ARE
OUR HISTORY
The CASA movement began in 1976 when Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup faced a difficult decision regarding a 3-year-old child who had experienced abuse. Recognizing the need for dedicated advocates, he envisioned a program where trained community volunteers would speak up for the best interests of children in court. When he put out a call for volunteers, 50 citizens stepped forward—marking the beginning of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Locally, the movement took root in 1981 when a group of women in Sedgwick County saw the urgent need to support children in foster care. They founded Roots & Wings, Inc., an organization dedicated to advocating for vulnerable children. As National CASA and Kansas CASA took shape, Roots & Wings aligned with their mission and values, eventually becoming CASA of Sedgwick County in 2003.
Since then, CASA of Sedgwick County has remained committed to ensuring that every child in the child welfare system has a voice and a dedicated advocate in court.
OUR MISSION
To provide caring, trained volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children of our community so that each child can reach their full potential.
We fulfill our mission by recruiting, training, and supervising community volunteers. Our CASA volunteers are appointed by judges of the juvenile court in Sedgwick County to advocate for the best interests of children and youth ages 0-21 who are experiencing the foster care system.
OUR VISION
To create a community where every child who needs a CASA Volunteer will have one appointed to them.
OUR VALUES
At CASA of Sedgwick County, our work is guided and informed by our
beliefs and commitment to the following areas:
ADAPTABILITY
We equip our staff and volunteers to be able to adjust to constantly changing circumstances.
INTEGRITY
We adhere to ethical and moral principals to be truthful and honest.
QUALITY
CSC trains their volunteer and staff to provide thorough, quality reports to best advocate for their CASA children.
STEWARDSHIP
The staff and board work to ensure that care is taken in the handling of all CSC resources.
COLLABORATION
CSC believes in working with child welfare partners and community partners to achieve our common goal of helping children in care.
RESPECT
Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to treating individuals with consideration, dignity, and regard, recognizing their worth and individuality.
SERVICE
We work to help our CASA children to have positive experiences and build trust with their advocate.
“CASA volunteers play a unique role on behalf of some of our most vulnerable children. Their commitment, vigilance and persistence offer hope where there has been little.”
- Marian Wright Edelman
Founder of the Children's Defense Fund
MEET OUR TEAM
Passionate. Dedicated. Empowering.
Meet the compassionate and dedicated staff of CASA of Sedgwick County who advocate for children’s best interests. Our team works closely with legal professionals, educators, and service providers to ensure every child has a safe, permanent home and a brighter future.
Contact Us
Kim Gerstenkorn
Executive Director
P: 316-771-7925
E: director@casaofsedgwickcounty.org
Alexis DeVous
Program Manager
P: 316-867-2904
Danielle Thompson
Development Director
P: 316-867-2952
E: dthompson@casaofsedgwickcounty.org
Ginny Williams
Volunteer Coordinator
P: 316-867-4912
E: gwilliams@casaofsedgwickcounty.org
Amber Coleman
Advocate Supervisor
P: 316-425-7542
E: acoleman@casaofsedgwickcounty.org
Courtney Price-Dukes
Advocate Supervisor
P: 316-771-7928
Board of Directors
Meet our dedicated board of directors who lead with passion and expertise to drive the success of our organization.
President
Katie Austin
Director of Housing & Residence Life, WSU
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Vice President
Lindsay Hall
Hall's Culligan Water
Secretary
Janice Wright
Project Director, WSU
Treasurer
Mazie Mobley
Portfolio Manager, INTRUST Bank
Board Member
Brandon Haag
Senior VP, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Board Member
Darah Jewell
On Air Personality,
105.3 the Buzz
Board Member
Angela Grimes
Director of IT, Textron Aviation
Board Member
Derrick Veasey
Director, Upward, Bound Math Science, WSU
Board Member
Matt Peterson
HR Integration Lead, Cargill
Board Member
Kacey Mayes
Attorney, Triplett Woolf Garretson
Board Member
Corey Johnson
Business Owner & Community Volunteer
Board Member
Katie Blick-White
Associate Director of Customer Service
Board Member
Aaron Edwards
Operations Manager, Jones Lang Lasalle
Board Member
Lori Tos
Northridge Academy