April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Kosciusko County is partnering with Bowen Health and the Kosciusko County Department of Child Services to kick off the month with the annual Pinwheel Garden Planting.
This event is open to anyone who wishes to attend on Wednesday, April 2 at noon on the Kosciusko County Courthouse lawn.
The key speaker will be WNDU’s Tricia Sloma, who will speak about her Wednesday’s Child initiative. There will be a march in support of child abuse prevention around the courthouse square before the event culminates with the planting of blue and silver pinwheels, the national symbol of child abuse prevention, on the courthouse lawn as a visual reminder of every child’s right to a safe and happy childhood.
Additionally, local businesses are hosting two fundraising events for CASA of Kosciusko County in April:
• April 21-24: Papa Vino’s in Warsaw will be donating 20% of all sales between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. to CASA if you show a token (available at www.casachildren.com).
• April 28: Culver’s on Parker Street in Warsaw is donating up to 20% of all sales to CASA of Kosciusko County between the hours of 5 to 8 p.m.
CASA of Kosciusko County is dedicated to ensuring every abused and neglected child has a dedicated advocate. In 2024, CASA saw an 8% increase in the number of children served and a 32% increase in new cases assigned to the program. This surge in cases has underscored the urgent need for more volunteers to ensure every child has an advocate as soon as possible.
CASA of Kosciusko County is currently serving over 130 children with the help of 56 CASA volunteers and five staff members.
“In addition to advocating for children already in the child welfare system, we see a critical opportunity to expand our role,” said Erin Rowland Jones, executive director of CASA. “Judges often face difficult decisions in family law cases where safety concerns arise. By increasing the number of CASA volunteers, we can provide Kosciusko County judges with vital, unbiased insights before abuse or neglect escalates. This proactive involvement is a key step in keeping children safe and preventing unnecessary trauma before state intervention is required.”
To spearhead this initiative, CASA has hired Amanda Dines, who will focus on expanding CASA’s involvement in family law cases.
To meet the growing needs of the community, CASA of Kosciusko County has also set a goal of recruiting 25 new CASA volunteers in 2025. These additional volunteers will enable them to reach more children who need their support and advocacy. They need your help to spread the word and inspire others to join their mission.
“By becoming a CASA volunteer, supporting us financially, or spreading awareness, you can play a crucial role in giving vulnerable children a brighter future,” said Rowland Jones.
To learn more about how you can become a CASA volunteer or donate, visit casachildren.com or call the office at 574-372-2401.