CASA of Lexington to Receive Nonprofit Community Impact Award From Commerce Lexington

Lexington, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2020) – CASA of Lexington has won the 2020 Nonprofit Community Impact Award from Commerce Lexington. The organization will be celebrated along with other Salute to Small Business award-winners during a week of special virtual events, held Sept. 21-25.

“It is an honor for CASA of Lexington to receive the 2020 Nonprofit Community Impact Award from Commerce Lexington,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “The award speaks to the work of our CASA volunteers, board members, staff and supporters. We are proud of the work we do on behalf of the children we advocate for and could not do it without the collaborative effort of everyone.”

CASA of Lexington recruits, trains and supports community volunteers known as Court-Appointed Special Advocates or CASA volunteers. CASA volunteers are appointed to cases of child abuse or neglect and serve as the eyes and ears of the family court judge. They develop friendships with the children they serve and advocate for the best interests of the children in court.

The impacts of CASA advocacy are remarkable: Research has shown children with a CASA volunteer have significantly higher levels of hope about the future and perform better academically. They also receive more services ordered by judges and are moved between placements less frequently during their case. Children who had a CASA volunteer are also half as likely to re-enter the foster care system again.

CASA of Lexington was originally a program of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, but transitioned to nonprofit status in 2003. Over the past decade, the organization has grown from 46 volunteers serving 120 children to more than 200 volunteers serving more than 600 children.

CASA of Lexington is one of four award-winners announced by Commerce Lexington in advance of its week-long celebration of the annual Salute to Small Business Awards. Elaine Allen LLC is receiving the Minority Business Award; Churchill McGee is receiving the Business Success Award; and AU Associates Inc. is receiving the Entrepreneur Award.

CASA of Lexington’s award will be celebrated with a Facebook Live event from Commerce Lexington at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. There will also be a webinar that day at 2 p.m. featuring award winners, including CASA of Lexington. The week’s events culminate with a live watch party featuring the award winners and an announcement of the Overall Small Business of the Year at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. To see a full schedule of events and register for watch party, visit www.commercelexington.com/event-schedule.