Our History

How did the idea for CASA originate?

Judge David W. Soukup was inspired when he realized that he didn’t have enough information to make a life-changing decision for a 3 year girl who had suffered from child abuse. 

“It terrified me to make decisions about kids when I didn’t have anybody there that was only advocating for the child... Who is more unable to represent themselves than a 3-, 4-, 5-, 10-year-old child?” (National CASA/GAL Association for Children, 2025)

Judge David W. Soukup asked the bailiff to spread word about his idea and to invite people to a meeting to discuss the idea.

Judge Soukup thought 6 or 7 people might show up. “When I walked into the lunchroom, there were 50 people there. And I said, ‘This is going to work.’” (National CASA/GAL Association for Children, 2025)