Volunteer Appreciation Month: a message from our CEO

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we welcome the month of April, we are reminded of the profound impact that compassion, commitment, and community have on the lives of the children and families we serve.

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary individuals who give their time, energy, and heart to advancing our mission.

For more than three decades, this month has been dedicated to honoring more than 75 million formal and other volunteers who uplift their communities in meaningful and lasting ways. Our more than 79,000 dedicated CASA/GAL volunteers exemplify this spirit every day. They show up, speak up, and stand in the gap for children—often during some of the most challenging moments in those children’s lives. Because of their commitment, children experience greater stability, hope, and the power of having their voices heard.

While volunteers may not always see the ending of every story, their impact is real, enduring, and far-reaching. The relationships they build, the advocacy they provide, and the consistency they offer help shape better outcomes for children and families in ways that extend well beyond a single case.

Volunteer Appreciation Month is also an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how we support and uplift our volunteers. Their success is strengthened by the guidance, partnership, and encouragement they receive across our network. Together, we ensure that their contributions are not only valued but amplified.

This month—and every day—we celebrate our volunteers and the meaningful difference they make in communities across the country. Their dedication inspires us, and their service moves our mission forward in powerful ways.

In this month’s blog posts, you will learn how we are equipping our programs and volunteers to better understand court expectations, decision-making processes, and how to most effectively advocate for children’s best interests from the judiciary’s perspective, and a full circle moment of an unexpected reunion where a CASA volunteer does get to witness the end of the story – thirty years later.

As we move through April, I encourage each of us to recognize the power of our shared mission—and the importance of continuing to learn, grow, and lead in service to children.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Tara Lisa Perry
Chief Executive Officer
National CASA/GAL Association