CASA of South Mississippi Hosts Annual “Grateful for You” Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Each year, CASA recognizes the vital contributions of its volunteers, who play a crucial role in ensuring that children in the foster care system receive the support and advocacy they need to thrive. This year, attendees will be treated to an inspiring keynote address by Ashley Rhodes-Courter, a New York Times bestselling author. Rhodes-Courter will share her personal journey through Florida’s foster care system and highlight the transformative impact her CASA volunteer had on her path to permanency through adoption.
Kaiden’s Candles of Hope for Harrison & Stone Counties
(Gulfport, MS, October 9, 2024) – While it may come as a surprise, not all children receive birthday cakes each year growing up. Twenty years ago, CASA’s executive director, Cynthia Chauvin asked a young person who spent the majority of her teenage years in foster care what might the CASA program do to better the lives of children in foster care. Without hesitation, she exclaimed, “Make sure they have birthday cakes and get to blow out candles!” Soon after, Candles of Hope was established. A project that ensured that all children served by the CASA program would not only get a cake and candles, but also allow them to select what type of cake and icing they would like. “Giving our kids choices, even those as simple as selecting their cake, allows them to have a voice,” Chauvin stated.
New Job Posting: Finance Clerk
CASA of South Mississippi seeks to hire a motivated and competent individual to assume the role of Finance Clerk in a growing nonprofit organization. The Finance Clerk position is under the supervision of the Finance Director and is responsible for providing quality administrative and clerical support to the organization.
2025 Krewe of CASA Mardi Gras Gala
It is with great pleasure that we invite you to attend the 13th Annual Krewe of CASA Mardi Gras Gala on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast. We are so appreciative to Parker Contracting and Warran Automotive for returning as this event’s title sponsors.
Bridging the Gap Annual CASA Training Conference
All CASA Staff & Volunteers in Mississippi: Join us for our 2nd Annual Bridging the Gap CASA Training Conference. Email lauren@casasouthms.org for more information!
Thank You! Supplies for Success
Update: All 157 of our school-aged CASA kiddos across all three counties have been covered thanks to your generosity! This amazing community (and many outside of our community) showed up within TWO WEEKS of our asking for help.
Thank you. Thank you for every like, share, and donation–you truly have made a difference for that first day of school.
Supplies for Success
We need your help to equip children in South Mississippi with supplies to begin their school year!
Your donation will provide backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more, ensuring every child has the tools they need to succeed.
2024 Poker Run Info at June 22!
Introducing the Featured Stops of CASA's 11th Annual Poker Run Fundraiser Join us on Saturday, June 22 at 12pm-4pm! When your card is punched at five of these stops, you can turn in your card and...
CASA of South Mississippi Welcomes Four New Advocates
Judge Dickinson & Judge Favre swore in new advocates Felicia Hall, James Hoying, Kimberly Necaise, and Jehlani Whitlock-Spivey on Thurs, May 16, 2024
CASA’s Poker Run: June 22, 2024!
CASA of South Mississippi will hold its 11th Annual Poker Run Fundraiser in Bay Saint Louis on Saturday, June 22, 2024. Registration is at 12pm and Check-In is at 4pm! By land or by water there will be five stops to make to collect the winning hand. After visiting the stops, participants will return to Dan B Murphy’s Restaurant & Bar, 109 South Beach Boulevard to have their hands dealt by volunteer poker dealers. Our goal is to increase community awareness about child abuse, recruit additional volunteers who will advocate for child victims and to raise funds to support the organization’s mission.
Thank you to our Touch A Truck Sponsors!
CASA of South Mississippi thanks our 2024 Touch a Truck Sponsors! These partners have joined us in creating a free community give-back event where we thank our wonderful community for supporting the...
CASA of South Mississippi and Chandeleur Island Brewing Company host “Cheers for CASA” Volunteer Recruitment Event
CASA of South Mississippi is partnering with Chandeleur Island Brewing Company to host “Cheers for CASA” on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 from 5-8pm at the Chandeleur Taproom (2711 14th Street Gulfport, MS 39501).
Job Posting: Finance Clerk
Under general supervision the purpose of the Finance Clerk position provides administrative and support functions for the assigned office. The position includes bookkeeping and grant management, general office duties, and routine clerical and supervisory work.
Touch a Truck 2024 – Sat, April 13 at 10am-2pm
CASA of South Mississippi’s Touch A Truck is a FREE event that gives local children and adults alike a chance to fulfill childhood curiosities while learning and interacting with the businesses of the community. Touch A Truck is different than a car show. Kids can interact with not only the trucks, but with the “heroes” that drive and operate them. They can hear the sirens, watch the tractor bucket move, and learn about the safety of the vehicles through fun and interactive games. We hope to see you there!
Krewe of CASA Mardi Gras Gala 2024
The Krewe of CASA Gala. In its 12th year, this event has become the traditional kick-off to the carnival season. As in years past the event includes dinner, a silent/live auction, and entertainment....
CASA is hiring!
Job Postings: Advocate Supervisor & Finance Clerk
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) provides a highly specialized volunteer service to abused and neglected children who are in the youth court system. CASA is a national organization with over 950 local programs across the country. CASA advocate volunteers are recruited, trained, and supervised by program staff members. CASA advocates are the “eyes and ears” of the court in child abuse proceedings. CASA of South Mississippi serves Hancock, Harrison, and Stone Counties.
We are now CASA of South Mississippi
CASA of Hancock County has grown into a new name that reflects our expanded service area including Hancock, Harrison, & Stone Counties!
CASA of Hancock County and the City of Diamondhead Host Red Bean Cook-Off
(Diamondhead, October 6, 2023)-CASA of Hancock County is partnering with the City of Diamondhead to host its third annual Red Bean Cook-Off from 4-7pm on Saturday, October 14, 2023, on the grounds of Diamondhead City Hall (5000 Diamondhead Circle in Diamondhead).
CASA Anchor Spotlight: Heather Smith
Meet Heather Smith, Pro Bono Legal Counsel for CASA of Hancock County. Heather’s deep roots in the community, combined with her personal experience with CASA in the courtroom, have fueled her passion to support this local CASA program.
CASA Anchor Spotlight: Cheryl Bloom
Advocate Cheryl Bloom shares about her beginnings with CASA, the impact of her volunteer work, and the importance of her CASA supervisor. Help us continue this work and assign more advocates to children in need by clicking the link here and becoming a CASA Anchors monthly supporter.
2023 Red Bean Cook-off sponsored by CASA & the City of Diamondhead
Join us for the 3rd Annual Red Bean Cook-Off benefitting CASA of Hancock County. Our community is known for great food. Do yourself a favor and you be the judge on who has the best red beans in Hancock County. The town green in Diamondhead is the perfect location for this event. The entry fee is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. You can purchase your tickets in advance or at the gate the day of. Feel free to bring your lawn chair and listen to the Dave Mayley Band play all afternoon. If you are interested in having a cooking team please send us a message. We will have a max of 30 teams this year. Sponsorship opportunities are also available
CASA ED Cynthia Chauvin Recognized among 100 Successful Women to Know Class of 2023
CASA of Hancock County’s Executive Director Cynthia Chauvin shared her CASA story with Gulf Coast Woman Magazine.
“The icing on the cake was really the volunteer component. CASA advocates are volunteers who stand in the gap for their kids and absolutely make a profound difference in their lives,” Chauvin said. “In terms of hopes and dreams, while it may seem cliché, I am right where I want to be, doing the work I was meant to do,” Chauvin says. “I’m just ready to keep it going.”
Misfits Street Krewzers Supports CASA
Myron Labat, Sr. accepts a check from Kenny Warino, President of the Misfits Street Krewzers. Funds will cover school supplies, birthday cakes and some Christmas gifts for CASA children
Thank You to Poker Run Sponsors!
CASA of Hancock County thanks the sponsors of the 2023 Poker Run! Click to see more!
CASA’S 10th Annual Poker Run
Pull out your favorite carnival attire and get your friends together. CASA of Hancock County is hosting its 10th Annual Poker Run on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Dan B’s on the beach in Bay St. Louis. Participate by golf cart, car/bike or event boat. For a suggested donation of $20 you receive a poker card. You select five stops to visit and at each stop you get get your card punched. Be back at Dan B’s before 4pm to get your poker hand dealt. All proceeds go to CASA of Hancock County to help us recruit, train and support advocates. Currently we have 35 children who need an advocate.
11 New Advocates Join CASA
On Tuesday, May at 6:00pm at the County Courthouse, CASA of Hancock County will host a Swearing In Ceremony. Judge S. Trent Favre will officially swear in eleven new advocates: Larry Hiliard, Terry...
Thank You Poker Run Sponsors!
Join us for the 9th Annual Poker Run on Saturday, July 9th
CASA of Hancock County receives National CASA Grant
CASA of Hancock County has been awarded a $44,200 Needs-Based Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children.
2022 Mardi Gras Gala Sponsorship Opportunity
Click here for the CASA GALA 2022 Sponsorship Form