Central Georgia CASA’s mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence, and have the opportunity to thrive. Central Georgia CASA was founded in 1997 to serve victims of child abuse and neglect in Bibb, Crawford, and Peach Counties. Children who have suffered abuse or neglect and who have been removed from their homes are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. These children face new homes, new schools, new people, and complex child welfare and legal system which they too often have to navigate alone. The trauma of this experience can stay with a child forever and wreak havoc on their lives. Our goal is to give every child a partner and a voice so that they will not languish in the foster care system. Did you know that over 70% of the prison population was once in foster care? Did you know that only 50% of children who grow up in foster care graduate from high school? Did you know that girls who grow up in foster care are 600 times more likely than their peers to be pregnant by age 21? Did you know that 60% of children who grow up in foster care and “age out” at 18 will be homeless, in jail, or dead within 1 year?