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About Us

History of CASA

Franklin County CASA is part of a much larger network. We are just 1 of 950 CASA programs across the nation.

The idea of CASA began in 1977, by a Seattle juvenile court judge, David Soukup. He was concerned about making life changing decisions regarding abused and neglected children, with insufficient information. He decided a change was needed and started a program where community volunteers would be trained to speak up for the best interest of children in court ensuring a safe permanent home for them.

History of CASA

In 1982, National CASA was developed in effort to unify the many CASA programs across the country, bringing them all together to have one voice.

Since the beginning, CASA has swept across the nation, making a difference in the lives of more than 2,000,000 abused and neglected children.

Last year, more that 76,000 CASA Volunteers nationwide helped more than 251,000 abused and neglected children find that safe permanent home.

Click here to learn more about National CASA.

Franklin County CASA started in 2006 with a steering committee and opened their office located in the county seat. Then, in the summer of 2016, our program expanded into Gasconade County with two satellite locations. We are also members of the Missouri CASA Association and just 1 of 22 CASA programs in the state. 

Click here for more information about Missouri CASA Association.

Meet the Staff

Glenda Volmert, Executive Director

Glenda has been with Franklin County CASA since its inception. She has had the privilege of watching the program grow from an idea to a reputable organization positively impacting hundreds of children. 

 Glenda’s experience as a case worker, investigator and child advocate of nonprofit gave her experience to understand the needs of children, how to work in the juvenile court, and how to manage a nonprofit.

Glenda spends her time at CASA recruiting, screening, training, and supervising CASA volunteers and staff to be the best advocates for children. She also manages office volunteers, ensures financial stability through grant writing, working with the board of directors, and staying connected to Missouri and National CASA programs. 

When she’s not in the office, Glenda enjoys time with her husband and two teenage children camping, hiking, attending sporting events, and participating in her church (St. Gertrude) and children’s schools.

Angie Morris, Volunteer Coordinator

Angie joined Franklin County CASA in 2011 after spending 12 years as a case worker for the state of Missouri.

Angie saw the value of CASA when she had them appointed to her cases as a case worker. She loved the individual attention given to the youth and saw that each CASA volunteer brought different strengths to the families they shared. 

Angie said she jumped at the chance to join the CASA family when there was an opening, and she’s been very happy since. 

Angie spends her time screening and training the new CASA volunteers and supervising active CASA volunteers. A strength Angie brings to CASA is her passion for working with teenagers.

Angie has taken the lead on a specialized program called Fostering Futures, which empowers teenagers in planning for their future. She stays connected to community agencies in her role as the Vice Chair of the Franklin County Service Providers. 

Angie enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her church family (St. Paul Lutheran), coaches little league softball, and is a Cardinal and volleyball fanatic.

Lynne Hoeing, Volunteer Coordinator

Lynne is our traveling Volunteer Coordinator who can be found at the Hermann, Owensville, or Union office. She spends her time screening and supervising CASA volunteers from Gasconade and Franklin counties.

Lynne’s prior experience as a case worker and licensing worker for the state of Missouri has been very helpful in her work with foster families. 

Lynne began working at CASA shortly after we opened the office in Gasconade County in 2016. She spends some of her time networking with the juvenile court professionals and service providers helping pave the CASA road in Gasconade County.

To assist with volunteer retention, Lynne is responsible for creating the monthly newsletter for CASA volunteers to stay up to date on trainings, policies, and community events. This is also a way for CASA volunteers to stay connected with one another as they read success stories of their peers. 

When Lynne isn’t working, she likes to coach her daughter’s soccer team, and spend time with her husband, two daughters, and friends going to different community events.

Lynne and her husband are huge BLUES fans who named their two German Shepherds, Elli and Oshie, after BLUES players.

Ashley Schneider

Ashley Schneider, Volunteer Coordinator

Ashley Schneider has been a perfect fit for the Franklin County CASA team. With her prior experience at Lutheran Family and Children Services and Children’s Division, Ashley was able to jump right in supervising cases as a Volunteer Coordinator.

Ashley has been an “official” part of the CASA team since June 2019 but had worked with many CASA volunteers while being a case manager. She always found value in the CASA volunteer’s perspective and appreciated them.

As a Volunteer Coordinator, Ashley has a positive way about herself that makes each of the volunteers feel valued and understood when they come to her for guidance. She is quick to give you a compliment and continues to be creative with solutions when working with families.

In addition to working with the volunteers to assist in permanency options, Ashley assist with pre-service training for potential volunteers and organizes the in-service trainings for current CASA volunteers. We are overjoyed with having Ashley a part of the CASA team!

Outside of CASA, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, listening to true crime podcasts and reading.

Marty Berra

Marty Berra,
Peer Coordinator

Marty Berra has officially joined the CASA family as a Volunteer Coordinator. Marty is no stranger to CASA as he has been an exceptional CASA volunteer since 2014.

He has had the privilege of working cases in both Franklin and Gasconade counties. Marty comes to CASA not only with volunteer experience with CASA, but also as a former manager and business owner. 

 Marty is also a volunteer with Meals on Wheels. He is the proud grandfather of two granddaughters and one grandson. 

In his free time, Marty enjoys taking walks, attending Cardinal games with his wife, being on the water and socializing with his friends. 

Marty will always greet you with a smile and friendly “Hello.” He will be supervising cases from Gasconade and Franklin counties, as well as, working on outreach and retention projects.

We couldn’t be happier having Marty join our staff and are confident you will all enjoy working with him, as well.

Sarah LeClaire,
Volunteer Coordinator

Welcome back Sarah LeClaire! Sarah has worn many hats at CASA over the years. She was an intern, a CASA volunteer, an Outreach Coordinator and now she’s back to being a Volunteer Coordinator. Sarah may have physically left CASA to be a stay at home mom for a few years, but her heart has always been here. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge working within the social service realm as well as a para for a local school district. She has an understanding of mental health issues and working with special needs children. Sarah is always there to be a listening ear for her volunteers and has a heart of gold for our CASA children. 

Outside of CASA, Sarah and her husband love to teach their 3 children about the world around them, while stopping to smell the flowers (literally) along the way. 

MARY TINSLEY, financial assistant

Mary has been a trusted CASA supporter and volunteer advocate since 2008. As the CASA program continues to grow, Mary has recently joined the CASA family as the first ever Financial Assistant. At just a few hours a week, Mary will assist with paying invoices, tracking deposits, and organizing grant spending expenses. 

When Mary isn’t working at CASA she enjoys traveling, cheering on the Cardinals with her husband, volunteering in the community and spending as much time with her family as possible. 

Monica Lawrence, Outreach Coordinator

Monica became the newest member of the CASA family when she joined us as an Outreach Coordinator in the summer of 2022. However, Monica is no stranger to CASA as she has been a CASA volunteer since 2017. Monica has a great understanding of the foster care system as a foster and adoptive parent, as well. Monica is very passionate about sharing the CASA message, because she has seen firsthand the significance of this role to the children and families in foster care. With her marketing experience, her goal is to increase the volunteer pool enough, so that every child has the opportunity to have a CASA volunteer in their corner. 

When Monica isn’t at our CASA office, she’s at home as a loving mother and wife or cheering on the greatest hockey team of all time…the Blues! Monica is also involved in her community doing volunteer work on projects with the Union Lions Club and Driving Hope. 

Trista Jacquin, Outreach coordinator

Trista joined our CASA family for the New Year in 2023.  We are very excited to have her begin her CASA journey. Trista will complete the dynamic duo of Outreach Coordinators as the “behind the scenes” organizer of CASA events. With every outreach effort there are many moving parts and Trista is the perfect person to help get those things done. 

Trista comes to CASA with many years of experience in working in an office setting at The Missourian. She is detailed orientated and loves to work with a good spreadsheet. Trista has been a supporter of the CASA mission from it’s inception and has finally found the right fit for her to now join the  CASA staff. Trista is beyond excited to start the New Year with a career helping children in foster care. 

Trista is a loving mother of her two adult children, Chase and Cierstyn. When she’s not busy at work, Trista and her husband love to spend time with their family and friends. They also love the great outdoors, enjoy camping and taking trips on their side-by-side with their adorable four legged friends, Cabella and Coda. 

Meet our Board of Directors

Franklin County CASA Board of Directors supporting our annual Justice Is Served fundraiser.  Each of these members work both behind the scenes and throughout the community ensuring CASA has the resources to continue to be a credible and stable organization. 

Quarterly Newsletter

Be in the CASA know

Take a look at our quarterly newsletter.

aNNUAL REPORT