About Us
History of CASA
CASA of Mideast Missouri 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.
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.
CASA of Mideast Missouri, formerly 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. At the beginning of 2024 we expanded to Osage County. 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 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 grown children camping, hiking, anything outdoors, as well as participating in her church (St. Gertrude).
Angie Morris, lead Volunteer Coordinator
Angie joined 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.
Angie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She is also an active member of her church family St. Paul Lutheran Church. She and her family are huge Cardinal and Chiefs fans! She loves everything volleyball and is currently coaching her daughter’s club volleyball team. She is a fan of her son as he plays every sport imaginable but mostly baseball, football and basketball.
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 play Fortnite with her kids, spend time at the river and enjoys trying new restaurants.
Lynne and her husband are huge BLUES fans who named their two German Shepherds, Elli and Oshie, after BLUES players.
Ashley Schneider, Volunteer Coordinator
Ashley Schneider has been a perfect fit for the CASA of Mideast Missouri 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.
Ashley oversees volunteers in Franklin, Gasconade, and Osage Counties. In addition, she assists with initial volunteer meet and greets and CASA Book Club. 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, drinking coffee, and reading.
Marty Berra,
Peer Coordinator
Marty Berra joined the CASA Family as a Volunteer Coordinator in 2020. Marty is no stranger to CASA as he has been an exceptional 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 business owner and manager.
Marty 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”. Marty supervises cases from Gasconade and Franklin counties, as well as working on retention projects, inclusive of our Peer to Peer Program.
We are very happy to have Marty on staff and are confident that you will all enjoy working with him as well.
Alecia Halvorson,
Volunteer Coordinator
Alecia Halvorson has recently moved back to Missouri, and we are thrilled she has chosen to make CASA part of her new traditions in the Show Me State. Alecia’s background is in criminal justice as a parole officer, and deputy for over 6 years. She has always been helping victims but most recently decided to focus her energy on helping children. Alecia is one who seeks out the underdog and empowers them to do great things. Alecia has an act for detail, research to find solutions and keeps the person in need at the forefront of all she does.
When Alecia isn’t working, she enjoys time with her children and husband hiking and camping. She also enjoys cooking, podcasts, coaching her daughter’s volleyball team and watching her son play football.
Welcome to the CASA team Alecia, you will do great things for the children of Franklin County.
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 completes 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 working as an executive assistant. 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. At the end of 2023 she also signed on to be a CASA volunteer as well. 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
CASA of Mideast Missouri 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.