The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mesa County has moved into a new, larger office space at 1048 Independent Ave., Suite A119, earlier this September, aiming to expand its services for local children in the foster care and custody court systems. The move, with the main transition occurring between August 31 and September 4, marks a significant step for the nonprofit, which trains volunteers to advocate for children in these vulnerable situations.
According to Mesa County CASA Executive Director Melinda Leon, the increased square footage in the new location will streamline operations and better support the organization's growing efforts. The previous office was too small to host events or allow advocates to bring children for activities, a constraint that the new facility will address. Leon noted that the organization plans to hold events for children, such as a pumpkin decorating event in October, at the new site.
The local CASA program, part of a nationwide initiative, has seen a substantial increase in volunteer engagement this year. Advocate Coordinator Krista Jackson reported that 31 new advocates have been trained so far, a nearly 50% increase compared to last year. This growth is critical as about 60 Mesa County children in foster care or custody court currently do not have a CASA advocate, as stated by Leon and Jackson. The larger office provides ample space to train and coordinate more volunteers, supporting CASA's goal to assign an advocate to every child's case from beginning to end.
A major addition facilitated by the new space will be the establishment of two family visitation rooms. These rooms will serve as safe, neutral environments where children can spend time with non-custodial parents or relatives, often as part of court orders in abuse, neglect, or divorce proceedings. Leon explained that these new visitation rooms are intended to ensure availability for local families and establish a reliable revenue stream for the organization, as it faces shrinking government funding.
Leon emphasized that offering supervised family time aligns with CASA's mission "of giving kids a voice," and helping children return home if it is a safe environment. While other local agencies like Hilltop Community Resources, Ariel Clinical Services, and the Mesa County Department of Human Services offer similar visitation services, Jackson noted there are not enough time slots, supervisors, or physical spaces to meet the community's full need.
The launch of these visitation services is anticipated closer to mid-October. However, Leon explained that this timeline is partly due to the two new visitation rooms, one for children younger than seven and another for those aged seven to 18, still needing to be furnished. Since these services are paid on a case-by-case basis, the organization has had limited startup revenue to prepare the rooms.
To complete these vital spaces, Mesa County CASA is seeking community support. Donations of gently used, wipeable furniture, cleaning supplies, toys, or monetary contributions are needed. Leon highlighted specific needs, such as installing a baby changing table in the bathroom, which costs over $300 to become compliant.
Looking ahead, CASA of Mesa County plans to sell its former property at 2139 N. 12th St., Unit 5. The organization intends to rent its new Independent Avenue space for one to two years to evaluate the success of the visitation services before committing to a purchase. Leon stated the organization has the "first right of refusal" to buy the building and expects success, anticipating a capital campaign to purchase the property in the future. Leon expressed confidence that the new headquarters alone will significantly boost the local CASA's impact and capacity to serve Mesa County children.
