No cape is required to become a superhero for a local child in need– just a little time and a big heart.
Although the number of Southeast Nebraska Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers has grown in the past year, there are still many children in the foster care system who are in need of a consistent, caring adult to advocate for them.
Southeast Nebraska CASA is an organization that pairs volunteers with children who are wards of the state or in the foster care system. The volunteer becomes familiar with the child’s situation and advocates for their wellbeing in their court case.
Southeast Nebraska CASA volunteers served 53 children in 2024, 39 of which were from Seward or Saline counties. Southeast Nebraska CASA also serves Thayer and Jefferson counties.
The program had 13 active volunteers out of Seward County and 11 active volunteers out of Saline County at the end of 2024. Southeast Nebraska CASA Executive Director Shelby Pedersen said the two counties are fortunate because, due to the short distance between them, some volunteers are willing to travel if there is a high need in their neighboring county.
At the end of last year, there were 32 kids in Seward County still in need of a CASA volunteer and 13 kids in Saline County still in need of a CASA volunteer.
Pedersen said there is a high turnover for social workers and attorneys and judges often change. A CASA volunteer provides a consistent, positive voice in a child’s life. Pedersen said studies have proven that kids who have a consistent adult in their lives are significantly more likely to be successful in the future.
Some people commit to being a volunteer and go through the training but quickly realize that it is too much of a time commitment for them. Pedersen said CASA is looking for people who know they will be able to dedicate roughly five to 10 hours a month to the program.
The organization is also looking for up to five more board members. Pedersen said board members should be passionate about CASA’s mission and have a background in business, fundraising, marketing or anything that will help guide and grow the organization. The board is especially in need of more representation from Saline County.
Pedersen said CASA volunteers gain a sense of fulfillment from the work they do.
“They’re making a true difference that matters, because kids are our future,” she said. “Everybody knows that. And, if we don’t take care of them, what does that say for our future?”
Tiffany Schmidt of Seward is a CASA volunteer who has served kids in Seward and Saline counties.
Schmidt, who has three kids of her own, became a CASA volunteer in December of 2023. She had previously worked at a drug and alcohol treatment center and said the experience showed her how deeply parents’ choices affect their children. She joined CASA after she became a stay-at-home mom and said the program allowed her to continue making a difference.
Schmidt said although the thought of going in front of a judge and writing court reports can seem intimidating at first, knowing the impact the work has on a child’s life made it easier.
She enjoys watching the kids grow, thrive and change, and she finds it rewarding to help families who are struggling within the system. She said she gets to work alongside foster parents, case workers and everyone involved in the case to make a difference.
“It doesn’t feel like a job,” Schmidt said. “You get such a relationship with these families and the kids and everything that you don't feel like you're having to do it. You want to do it to try to help them. So, it doesn't feel like you're wasting time or it’s unmanageable or anything like that. You just make the time to do it.”
When someone becomes a CASA volunteer, it often opens their eyes to the harsh realities that exist for some kids every day. Pedersen said this often expands their desire to help more kids.
“Especially in small towns, people just don’t think it happens here,” Schmidt said. “It is very much happening, and there is a huge need, especially in Seward right now.”
Pedersen said the organization is extremely thankful for all the people who have stepped up and made a lasting impact on the kids they have served. She encourages anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer to reach out to Southeast Nebraska CASA.
“I’ve never regretted doing it,” Schmidt said. “It's one of the most rewarding things that I've done. And, while it can be intimidating to start, that part fades away and it turns into just helping families that very much need it, and being a constant in a kid's life.”
