Annual luncheon offers a 'Ray of Hope'

SANDPOINT — The two brothers came to North Idaho CASA's attention after they and their mother were found when their car ran out of gas.

The mother has mental health challenges and, after six months in foster care, the brothers moved to Washington state to live with their grandparents. CASA officials said the brothers' adoption was finalized this past summer.

The pair are among 21 teenagers who have a North Idaho CASA advocate, someone who is specifically advocating for their interests. Each of the 21 is living elsewhere due to a lack of resources, special mental health needs and a shortage of foster homes.

"Their resilience shines through every day, and we are committed to finding solutions that will bring them closer to home," Kristin Ludwig, director of development for North Idaho CASA, said. 

Toward that end, CASA is hosting its annual Ray of Hope luncheon this spring. Money raised at the program, and other held by the North Idaho association, is used locally to help youths like the brothers and the other 19 teens — as well as other youths who have a CASA advocate.

The luncheon, which will be held at noon Thursday, March 20, at the Marigold Bistro in the Umpqua Bank building in Sandpoint. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.

"Our wish for 2025 is to foster hope and healing for all child victims of abuse and neglect, as well as for the families that welcome them into their homes, providing the love and encouragement they deserve," Ludwig said.

The almost two dozen teens are among youth in Idaho's five northern counties who have found themselves caught up in the court system, officials with the Court Appointed Court Advocates program said. CASA advocates investigate child protection cases, represent the child's best interests in curt and help them find a permanent home.

"For many older children, CASA advocates may be the only stable adult in their lives," Ludwig said. "Our vision is that every child victim, aged 0-18, in the five northern counties governed by the Child Protective Act, is appointed a CASA who will advocate for and represent the child’s best interests throughout their protection case."

North Idaho CASA supports trained advocates for child abuse and neglect victims in the First Judicial District of Idaho, which includes Kootenai, Shoshone, Bonner, Boundary, and Benewah counties. 

CASA's goal is to build strong community relationships, work with donors, and organize fundraisers to raise awareness about the need for the program's stable, caring volunteer advocates. Grants for direct-to-victim services have enabled the CASA Center to implement outreach programs for foster families and school-aged children, Ludwig said.

Among the programs are Project Permanency, which provides essentials to reunified families, and tutoring services through the CASA Learning Lab. CASA has also established endowments through the Idaho Community Fund and the Innovia Foundation to assist young adults aging out of the foster care system. These resources cover life skills, mentorship, education, housing, and job placement assistance.

And at its heart is CASA's unwavering advocacy in court, Ludwig said.

"Team CASA was proud to celebrate 30 years of advocacy in 2023 and remains committed to fighting for every child victim to ensure they have a life free from abuse," she said. "We are dedicated to pursuing hope and healing to break the cycle of trauma for future generations."

Ludwig said the brothers are just a few of those being helped.

Also being helped through CASA — and forced to live away from North Idaho — are many others.

There are two sisters, ages 11 and 13, who were on a summer vacation at Silverwood when their parents were found in the parking lot, asleep and under the influence.

After three months in Idaho, the pair were placed with an aunt in Montana. A CASA case was opened in August 2024, and the parents are following a court-ordered parent and drug rehabilitation plan. A court request was recently made to advocate for a third sister, 14, who has developmental delays.

Another, a 17-year-old teen, entered foster care in California when she was 4 years old. At 11, she moved to Idaho and has lived between treatment centers and detention juvenile centers across seven states. Currently in Utah, she will age out of the system In March. Her court appointed special advocate has been with her for six years.

A 16-year-old youth who has been in state custody for eight years. Legally free for adoption, he has been in multiple facilities and juvenile detention centers, including the Utah residential care facility where he currently resides.

Another, a 14-year-old, entered foster care as an infant in California. After she was adopted at 5 years old, she moved to Idaho; however, she disclosed abuse by her adoptive father. Now 10, she was placed back into the foster care system and moved through several homes.

Her CASA advocate was able to help the teen enter an equine therapy program in Virginia. The advocate was able to visit her this fall.

The teens are part of the hundreds of youths in North Idaho who are served by CASA's volunteer advocates in the five northern counties. These 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. 

While CASA is mandated under state statute, the state does not fully fund the program. Each judicial district CASA program is left to fundraise to meet their funding needs. The Ray of Hope luncheon is among the North Idaho association's fundraisers which raise funds to help the community's youth.

To learn more about how to donate, volunteers or how to help the community's most vulnerable youth, go online to northidahocasa.org.

    A Sandpoint resident looks for a new handbag at November's CASA Purse Party, one of the association's fundraisers. Another such fundraiser, the Ray of Hope luncheon, is set for March 20 at the Marigold Cafe.
  

    North Idaho CASA volunteers and staff are pictured at November's CASA Purse Party, one of the association's fundraisers. Another such fundraiser, the Ray of Hope luncheon, is set for March 20 at the Marigold Cafe.