High-Fiving CASA

High-fives are used as a way to greet, congratulate, or show appreciation to another person.

In December, TeamMates mentors and mentees created over 150 ‘high-five’ cards to give to CASA Lancaster volunteers. Mentors and mentees started by tracing their hands on paper. They then cut their ‘high-five’ hands out and decorated them. These cards were filled with words of thanks and appreciation to the CASA volunteers that give so much to the children in our community.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) gives a voice to many youth in foster care by checking in to ensure a child’s needs and wants are being met. CASA volunteers are appointed to a specific case by a judge. They then get to know the children and the circumstances and issues surrounding the family. CASA volunteers gather information and write reports that go directly to the judge stating what they’ve observed and what they recommend that is in the best interest of the children. CASA volunteers are often the most consistent adult over the life of a case and are a stable influence. Their most important role is to be the child’s voice in court. In 2024, CASA volunteers served 288 children with 117 volunteers.

There were enough ‘high-five’ cards created by TeamMates matches that every CASA volunteer in 2025 will receive a card of thanks.