Advocating for children since 1991.
CASA for Kids recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who speak for abused and neglected children in Sullivan and Hawkins County courts.
Why we exist
To promote and support professionally trained Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children in need of safety, stability, and permanency, brought to the attention of the Juvenile Courts, giving them the opportunity to thrive.
From one judge's idea to a nationwide movement.
1977
The Problem
Seattle Judge David Soukup was making life-changing decisions about children without enough information. Social workers were overwhelmed. Attorneys had competing interests.
The Solution
Train community volunteers to investigate cases and report directly to the court. That idea became CASA.
950
Today
Nearly 950 CASA programs now operate across the country, advocating for hundreds of thousands of children.
Our Local Chapter
CASA for Kids started in 1991 when concerned citizens in Kingsport launched a local chapter. We’ve since expanded to serve:
Sullivan County, Division II
Kingsport — since 1991
Sullivan County, Division I
Bristol — since 1997
Hawkins County
Since 2001
- Proud members of National CASA and Tennessee CASA
2025 by the numbers
Every hour a volunteer spends on a case is an hour invested in a child’s future. When CASA helps a child find permanency even one month sooner, that’s one more month they spend in a stable home instead of waiting.
I signed up to volunteer because I wanted to help, but I had no idea how much these kids would teach me. My first case changed the way I see our community. Knowing that a child has someone showing up to every hearing, every meeting, every milestone, that’s what keeps me coming back.
Sarah Mitchell
CASA Volunteer, for 3 years
Retired Teacher,
Our Team
Staff
Suzanne Stanley
Program Director, Hawkins County
Shannon Kern
Executive Director
Missy Sturgill
Executive Administrator
Robin Barhydt
Program Director, Bristol
Eden Chamberlain
Volunteer Coordinator, Kingsport
Board Leadership
RuthAnn Ranker
President
Tucker Shull
President-Elect
Mary Shull
Past President
Dennis White
Secretary
Cathy Clark
Treasurer
Our 17-member board includes professionals from healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, hospitality, and community organizations across the region.
Three offices. One mission.
Main Office Kingsport
310 Shelby Street Kingsport, TN 37660
423.247.1161
Hawkins County Rogersville
107 E. Main Street, Suite 203 Rogersville, TN 37857
423.293.0328
Bristol Office
516 Holston Ave
Bristol, TN 37620
423.247.1161
We couldn't do this without our community.
East Tennessee Foundation
United Way of Greater Kingsport
United Way of Bristol TN/VA
United Way of Hawkins County
Tennessee CASA Association
National CASA/GAL Association
Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth
Ready to make a difference?
Join our community of dedicated volunteers and help give children the stable, safe future they deserve.