Judges make decisions that can impact a child's entire life. CASA volunteers get to know the child, talk with teachers, foster parents, DHS workers, attorneys, medical providers, and others, then bring that information to the court. It's an official role with an enormous responsibility.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. These trained volunteers advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and entered foster care. When a child's entire world has been turned upside down, a CASA volunteer can become a consistent voice fighting for what's best for them.
For children in foster care, adults and homes can change constantly. Clara had something different: a CASA volunteer who continued showing up. For 12 years, that relationship provided consistency and advocacy until Clara graduated high school and aged out of foster care.
After studying social work at OU and working for the Department of Human Services, she saw firsthand the impact CASA volunteers were having on children in foster care. That experience led to a career with CASA of Oklahoma County and 15 years dedicated to advocating for kids.
Clara entered foster care at six years old after experiencing unimaginable abuse and a brain injury. While others saw her behavior and challenges, her CASA volunteer saw the little girl underneath it all. This powerful story shows what can happen when one consistent adult refuses to give up on a…
CASA of Oklahoma County has 129 children waiting for volunteers. For kids who have experienced abuse, neglect, and instability, one consistent adult can make an incredible difference. Every child is one adult away from becoming a success story.
For a child in foster care, almost everything can change overnight—their home, school, caseworker, caregivers, and sometimes even the people they see every day. A CASA volunteer can be the one person who stays. In this episode of Oklahoma City Nonprofits in Action, we sit down with Kim Vanbebber of…
Nonprofits don't make an impact alone. Knights in Armor highlights the organizations, sponsors, businesses, and community partners working behind the scenes to provide resources and opportunities for Oklahoma families. Strong communities are built through strong partnerships.
Leadership isn't just about telling people what to do. It's confidence, relationships, networking, responsibility, and leading through your actions. Knights in Armor is helping young people ages 14 to 18 build those skills before they step into adulthood.
There are plenty of ways to support Knights in Armor beyond making a financial donation. From volunteering and mentorship to providing resources and participating in community events, everyone has something they can contribute to help families in crisis.
