Our Mission

Blue Ridge CASA for Children is a nonprofit organization advocating for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect through recruitment, training, and supervision of community volunteers.

Our Vision

Every abused and neglected child will have a trained volunteer advocating for their best interest.

Currently, there are over 300 children in our service area waiting for a CASA.

Our Values

Blue Ridge CASA for Children draws on the differences and experiences of board members, staff, and volunteers representing diverse backgrounds, races, cultures, talents, and perspectives, including LGBTQI+ individuals and those with lived experience. We believe in including everyone and are committed to building a safe, inclusive culture of trust, candor, and respect. We strive to strengthen our relationships and build partnerships with people, organizations, and businesses who reflect the children and families we serve. We believe bringing more voices to the table to influence our policies and practices will help us provide better advocacy and arrive at better outcomes for our youth.

Our Work

Our Grantors

Augusta Health 
Brittigan Endowment Fund
Carilion Clinic
City of Harrisonburg
City of Staunton CDBG
Community Foundation Central Blue Ridge
Community Foundation Harrisonburg
and Rockingham
Community Foundation Shenandoah
DCJS/VOCA
George and Evelyn Brothers
Grace Episcopal Church
Harrisonburg Women’s Service League
J & E Berkley Foundatio
Karis

 

Kiwanis Waynesboro
Million Dollar Round Table
Rockbridge Community Health
Rockingham Board of Supervisors
Sentara RMH
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
Staunton Rotary
Trinity Episcopal Church
United Way of Harrisonburg
and Rockingham
United Way Rockbridge, Lexington
and Buena Vista
United Way Staunton, Augusta County
and Waynesboro
 
 

Board of Directors

Past President

Kari-Lyn Henkel

Digital Designer at DuPont Community Credit Union

President

Andrew Squires

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington

 

Vice-President

Gretchen Armentrout
Director Of Advancement Gifts & Records at James Madison University
 

Secretary

Cathy Bagwell Marsh

Resource Development Specialist at Blue Ridge Legal Services

 

Treasurer

Erica Sayers
Vice President & Commercial Relationship Manager at F&M Bank
 

Directors

Akiel Baker
Harrisonburg City Public School Social Worker
 
Emani Morse
Co-CEO at On the Road Collaborative
 
Cristina Lotts
Family Services Advocate at Shenandoah Valley Head Start & Early Head Start
 
Nathaniel Riddle
Executive Director at Open Doors Inc.
 

Staff

CEO

Outreach & Training Manager

Lead Advocate Manager

Tonya Dunlap

Harrisonburg and Rockingham (HR)

 

Lead Advocate Manager

Emily Castle

Lexington, Rockbridge, & Buena Vista, Staunton, Augusta, and Waynesboro (LRBV/SAW)

 

Advocate Manager

Cindy Avvenire

Shenandoah/Page

 

Case Coordinator

Heather Mattox

Lexington, Rockbridge, & Buena Vista

 

Development Manager

Grants & Communications Manager

Meghan Sevier

We serve the children of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

Serving the counties of Augusta, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham and Shenandoah and the localities of Augusta, Buena Vista, Lexington, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro. Over 300 children in our service area are waiting for a CASA. 

Service Area Map of Virginia

Our Impact Reports

Annual Report FY19

2023-2024

Annual Report FY19

2022-2023

Annual Report FY19

2021-2022

2020-2021

Annual Report FY20 Cover

2019-2020

Our Financials

JOIN US

Make a choice. Make a difference in a child's life.
DonateVolunteer