'The Battle for the Stands' supports local CASA

When you get your coffee this weekend, you will have a chance to help North Idaho CASA at the same time. 

The first ever “Battle of the Stands” will be held Saturday, July 20, during the Kootenai River Run, otherwise known as known as Coffee for CASA. 

“We will also be singing the praises of the stand that raises the most money for CASA through sales on that day and through votes and donations received through the  northidahocasa.org/coffeeforcasa.html site,” Kelly Bell, Boundary County CASA supervisor, said. 

During the event, local coffee stands will be competing to raise money for Boundary County’s CASA program. Participating coffee stands include Far North Coffee Co, Homestead Coffee Company, Kokanee Coffee, Two Brews Coffee Co, and Thunder Mtn Coffee Company. Awards will be given to the stand with the Best Coffee Concoction and Best Energy Infusion. 

Because Far North Coffee is not open on weekends, the coffee stand is participating on Friday, July 19. 

North Idaho CASA has been serving the children of all five northern Idaho counties since 1993. CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocate”. These volunteers are trained Guardians ad litem who represent the best interest of children involved in child protection cases. Child protection cases involve children who are subjected to abuse, neglect, or an unstable home environment.  

Last year, 282 children were served by volunteer advocates in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties. 

CASA’s mission is to recruit, train, and support a diverse network of Court Appointed Special Advocates to represent and advocate for abused and neglected child victims (age 0-18) in North Idaho. Those volunteer advocates participate in 30 hours of pre-service training to prepare them to effectively advocate for children. After they are assigned to a case, advocates conduct an independent factual investigation that allows them to complete court reports documenting concerns and recommendations. 

Those reports help judges make beneficial decisions for children. All advocates visit their child at least once a month. CASA work is done in tandem with several providers, including the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare social workers who manage the case.  

CASA is mandated through Idaho state statute; however, the state does not fully fund the program. Each judicial district CASA program is left to fundraise to meet their funding needs. North Idaho CASA does this through several events throughout the year including the CASA Classic Golf Tournament, CASA Uncorked, and Ray of Hope Luncheons in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint to help raise the needed dollars.  

This year’s CASA Classic Golf Tournament will take place on Aug. 1 at Circling Raven Golf Club at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley, Idaho. Uncorked is a gala dinner and auction which will be held at the Hagadone Event Center in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday, October 24. Both Ray of Hope Luncheons are held in the spring. The public is encouraged to participate in all of events.  

Money raised from North Idaho CASA fundraisers is used locally.  

“We frequently purchase mattresses and bunkbeds for foster parents who don’t have enough room in their homes, we purchase clothing and shoes for children who don’t have those items when they are removed from their homes, we also pay fees for activities like little league and martial arts,” Bell said.  

There are many ways you can serve the children in Boundary County. Please consider becoming a volunteer advocate. A passion for advocacy is our number one requirement. The next Volunteer Pre-Service Training will be held at the Sandpoint CASA Office in the September.  

Reach out to Boundary County CASA Supervisor, Kelly Bell at Kelly@northidahocasa.org for more information or fill out an online application at northidahocasa.org.