Who We Are
Granted full membership in 2007 with the National CASA Association, 37th Judicial CASA is the local branch for Carter, Howell, Oregon, and Shannon counties. Since 1977 CASA branches across the country have tirelessly advocated for hundreds of thousands of children in state care every year.
Thanks to a close working relationship with the 37th Judicial Circuit judges, the Juvenile Office, and the Children’s Division, we are assigned numerous cases. While in the Ozarks we often pride ourselves on family ties, our children sometimes are completely alone in the world. For these kids the care, attention, and time that our organization and our volunteer advocates donate makes a world of difference.
37th Judicial CASA Administrative Staff
Connie Pendergrass
Executive Director
I’m a retired teacher and school administrator who has spent many years working with and advocating for children in our community. I received my B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education and my M.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton and my Ed.S. in Special Education from Missouri State University. I began working as a Volunteer Advocate with CASA in early 2019, given the opportunity to be become Executive Director in July, 2022.
I believe strongly that CASA Volunteer Advocates play an essential role across our four county areas, working directly with children who are involved in the courts and the foster care system. Through the dedicated work of our advocates, staff and board bringing the voice of the child to the Judge a child’s live is impacted now and for the rest of their life.
Kathleen Wolf, LCSW
Program Director
For over thirty years, I have worked on behalf of children. I began my career as a registered art therapist and licensed clinical social worker. A few years ago, I was asked to join the 37th Judicial CASA and serve in an administrative role as the volunteer coordinator.
I am routinely in awe of the remarkable work and differences made in the lives of children by these dedicated volunteer advocates. Our volunteers do amazing work, and we always need more advocates to serve the needs of our children. We need compassionate, quality advocates, and I encourage people to volunteer for CASA and make a difference in a child’s life today.
Shari Perkins, MSCJ
Volunteer Coordinator
I worked as photographer for fifteen years and found myself wanting to make a change after both of my children finished school. Criminal victim advocacy has always been an important field to me, and so I joined CASA to gain some experience while I obtained my master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice.
I have been a CASA volunteer for three years and am constantly astonished by the difference our volunteers make in the lives of children. CASAs are known for giving children a voice in court, but we are so much more. We are mentors, friends, cheerleaders, and, often times, the only consistent person a child has to talk to on a regular basis. I am proud of the work the 37th Judicial CASA is doing and look forward to serving the children in our community who need us the most.
Connie Pendergrass
Executive Director
I’m a retired teacher and school administrator who has spent many years working with and advocating for children in our community. I received my B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education and my M.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton and my Ed.S. in Special Education from Missouri State University. I began working as a Volunteer Advocate with CASA in early 2019, given the opportunity to be become Executive Director in July, 2022.
I believe strongly that CASA Volunteer Advocates play an essential role across our four county areas, working directly with children who are involved in the courts and the foster care system. Through the dedicated work of our advocates, staff and board bringing the voice of the child to the Judge a child’s live is impacted now and for the rest of their life.
Kathleen Wolf, LCSW
Program Director
For over thirty years, I have worked on behalf of children. I began my career as a registered art therapist and licensed clinical social worker. A few years ago, I was asked to join the 37th Judicial CASA and serve in an administrative role as the volunteer coordinator.
I am routinely in awe of the remarkable work and differences made in the lives of children by these dedicated volunteer advocates. Our volunteers do amazing work, and we always need more advocates to serve the needs of our children. We need compassionate, quality advocates, and I encourage people to volunteer for CASA and make a difference in a child’s life today.
Shari Perkins, MSCJ
Volunteer Coordinator
I worked as photographer for fifteen years and found myself wanting to make a change after both of my children finished school. Criminal victim advocacy has always been an important field to me, and so I joined CASA to gain some experience while I obtained my master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice.
I have been a CASA volunteer for three years and am constantly astonished by the difference our volunteers make in the lives of children. CASAs are known for giving children a voice in court, but we are so much more. We are mentors, friends, cheerleaders, and, often times, the only consistent person a child has to talk to on a regular basis. I am proud of the work the 37th Judicial CASA is doing and look forward to serving the children in our community who need us the most.
37th Judicial CASA Board
Board Officers:
Janice Bowden, President
Marty Szigety, Vice-President
Patricia Lamb, Secretary
Board Members:
Annie Morrison Smith
Autumn Shirley
Jeremy Nicholas
Kevin Brown
Reta Reed
Sally Watkins
Sarah Drago
Advocate Representatives:
Sharon Bailey
Ted Bailey
We are a proud recipient of
United Way funding.
