In 2015, 35 volunteers with Kendall County Court-Appointed Special Advocates logged 4,600 hours attending court hearings, school meetings, and interviews with 77 children. (Photo courtesy Kendall County CASA)

When Jennifer Gilbert answered her phone on (Feb. 4) Thursday, you could hear the hope in her voice. It’s a tone much different than one she spoke with last year when her organization, Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Kendall County (CASA), was on the verge of closing its doors.

CASA volunteers and employees work on behalf of the county’s juvenile court system to gather information and make recommendations that help a judge act in a child’s best interests. Volunteer advocates often deal with victims of abuse and assault–those identified as the county’s most fragile and vulnerable residents.

“We’ve got lots of positive news this year,” recently appointed Executive Director Gilbert said. “There’s been a big turn around.”

The Kendall County Board recently issued the organization $20,000 to hire a second staff member to assist Gilbert, who spent the last several months as the organization’s sole employee.

“Obviously it was a less than ideal situation,” Gilbert said of the trying time. “But the board had my back in every way. They were at fundraising events with me and I never felt alone because I had incredible support.”

CASA Kendall County receives no state or federal money. Instead, it is funded partially by the county and supplemented by money from individual and corporate donations, as well as financial support from numerous community organizations and fundraising events.

This fundraising, Gilbert said, has been a lifeline for CASA.

“There was sort of a sense at the end of last year that we could not and would not fail and have to close our doors,” Gilbert said. “But we didn’t, and here we are.”

During 2015’s fourth quarter, the organization met and “blew away” every fundraising goal, Gilbert said. She hopes the momentum continues this year.

“We’ve increased our fundraising strategy this year,” she said. Diamond ring raffles and baseball games are on the long list of events planned for 2016.

She’s also amping-up CASA’s social media presence in an effort to get the word out about the organization.

“I try to go out and talk to everyone who will listen to me,” Gilbert said. “Once people know who we are and what we do, they want to help.”

Last year, 35 CASA volunteers logged 4,600 hours attending court hearings, school meetings, and interviews with 77 children, Gilbert proudly said. It was the highest number of juveniles assisted over the course of a year to date.

Gilbert said without CASA volunteers, the county would be required under federal mandate to hire a lawyer to investigate what’s in the children’s best interest. That could cost approximately $150 an hour, Gilbert said.

“We’re definitely a bargain value,” Gilbert said, noting that volunteers generally spend more time investigating a case than does a lawyer paid by the hour.

“For anyone who does this, it’s by no means a job. It’s a passion and a calling,” Gilbert said. “We believe in it.”

And, she said she wants the county to believe in CASA’s mission, too.

“We’ve been called ‘the best secret in town’,” Gilbert said. “I don’t want to be a secret. I want everyone to know about us and get involved … I don’t want to paint the image that it’s all sunshine and rainbows over here. There’s a lot of work ahead, but the team with have right now is so committed to success. We’re making it work.”

For a calendar of fundraising events, to make a donation, volunteer or learn about CASA Kendall County’s mission, visit http://www.casakendallcounty.org/

—  Kendall court advocacy group hopeful of growing its work —