Brush Country CASA recently celebrated 25 years of serving children and families across our communities with a special anniversary event held at the historic Salazar Building.
The evening brought together supporters, volunteers, community leaders, and advocates to reflect on the impact CASA has made over the past 25 years and the lives that have been changed through dedicated advocacy for children in foster care.
We were honored to hear from Judge Martin Chiuminatto, who spoke about the tragic case of Clayton Durham, a case that sparked conversations within the community and helped inspire the movement that would eventually lead to the creation of CASA in our area. His remarks served as a powerful reminder of why advocacy for vulnerable children is so important and how communities can come together to create meaningful change.
Guests also heard from foster parents Erica Gomez and Christopher Buck, who shared their family’s personal journey and the role CASA played in advocating for their adoptive son during a difficult time when he was potentially going to be adopted by another family. Their story highlighted the importance of having a dedicated advocate focused on the best interests of the child.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came from former foster youth Brianna Cipolla, who spoke about the impact her CASA advocate and CASA staff had on her life by helping ensure she never felt alone during her time in foster care. She shared her journey, reflected on the challenges she overcame, and spoke proudly about how far she has come today. Her story reminded everyone in attendance why CASA’s mission matters and how one caring, consistent adult can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead with hope and determination to continue advocating for the best interests of children throughout the Brush Country area. We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, board members, donors, community partners, and supporters who have helped make the last 25 years possible.
Together, we continue to be a voice for children who need it most.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer with Brush Country CASA, please click here or call 361.595.7233 for more information.
