Community Action Stops Abuse, Inc.

CASA's vision is a community without violence
so that home is a safe place. CASA's mission is to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment, and social change

CASA History

1977 - The Free Clinic Spouse Abuse Shelter was created by Sr. Margaret Freeman as a service of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic to serve battered women. The shelter capacity was eight and the budget minimal. The shelter was staffed by part-time workers and volunteers.

1978 - A full-time director was hired and funding was obtained from Junior League of St. Petersburg and Juvenile Welfare Board.

1979 - The Free Clinic Spouse Abuse Shelter obtained certification from HRS and ongoing operating funds from the Marriage License Trust Fund. The staff expanded to three full-time people.

1980 - Shelter capacity was increased, and one new staff position was added.

1981 - Shelter emerged from the auspices of the Free Clinic and incorporated as the Center Against Spouse Abuse, Inc, (CASA.) Sylvia Tucker was hired as executive director.

1982 - Children's programs are added to services. The shelter relocated and capacity increased to accommodate 22 residents. Staff increased to seven full-time employees. CASA became an agency funded by United Way and the Juvenile Welfare Board.

1983-84 - Community outreach programs were added to CASA services, including a peer counseling group for abusers and support groups for former shelter residents. CASA administration office moved to First Congregational Church.

1984-86 - CASA acquired a computer and began a capital campaign to purchase the shelter.

1986-88 - CASA shelter purchased, renovated and occupied.

1989-90 - Founding Director Sylvia Tucker died after a long illness. Shelter renovations continued. Linda A. Osmundson was hired as executive director. Staff increased to twelve full-time employees.

1991 - A new computer system was donated by Tech Data Corp. Legal advocates services were added at the State Attorney's Office and Clerk of Courts. CASA’s volunteer Amigas formed as an auxiliary to benefit CASA.

1992-93 - With major renovations, CASA shelter capacity expanded to accommodate 30 people and a deck was added to shelter. CASA added several community-based support groups.

1994 - Full-time staff increased to 15 employees. CASA added a substance abuse program and increased community outreach services. CASA Amigas produced and presented the first golf tournament to benefit CASA. Shelter second floor renovations were completed.

1995 - Staff increased to 21 employees. CASA added training for medical staffs to its community outreach services. Nation's Bank donated office building to CASA. Shelter grounds were landscaped and parking paved.

1996 - CASA sponsored its first Sportstacular! fundraising event. CASA opened The Visitation Center for supervised visitation and monitored exchanges were added to CASA services.

1997 - CASA received funding for 14 units of transitional housing called CASA Gateway, providing low-cost housing and advocacy services to families as they prepare for independent living.

1998 - CASA began an in-school Peacemakers Program for pre-school and middle school students. First Annual Peace Breakfast was held. CASA Collection Thrift Shop opened.

1999 - CASA commits to Keys to Peace Capital Campaign to raise $1.2 million to complete the second phase of CASA Gateway Transitional housing and to expand outreach services. CASA begins renting a facility and opens an outreach support center. CASA purchased a building to be called the CASA Community Center.

2000 - Escalating construction costs required the Keys to Peace Campaign to increase fundraising efforts to reach $2 million. Construction on CASA Gateway East is nearly completed. Gateway began Families with a Future program to enhance life and employment skills. An architect was hired to design the remodeling of the CASA Community Center. The City of St. Petersburg awarded a grant of $400,000 for the Community Center. Peace Breakfast fundraising event resulted in over $300,000!

2001- CASA Gateway East opened in June. CASA Community Center opened on September 1. Outreach Services, Executive, Development and Fiscal Offices are now under one roof! The CASA Collection Thrift Shoppe opened in its new location. The ERT (Emergency Response Team) program started in October. The Peace Breakfast raised $200,000 with no match and has the highest attendance ever; over 780 people joined the breakfast.

2002 - CASA celebrated twenty-five years of providing excellent services to battered women and their children in Pinellas County.

2003 - CASA began a year of strategic planning. Community members participated in focus groups to help guide planning for the future. CASA focused on the documentation process to strengthen the unique programs that support our mission. CASA changed its name from Center Against Spouse Abuse to Community Action Stops Abuse to better reflect its expanded programs and services to meet community needs.

2004 - CASA successfully completed the Juvenile Welfare Board's ASSET recertification. CASA sponsored a successful workplace violence summit for human relations and employee assistance staff fro about 40 corporations. CASA adopted a new logo.

2005 - CASA receives a federal Earmark grant to improve its technology and child care programs. CASA hires a Director of Operations.

2006 - CASA, the 'R Club, Coordinated Child Care of Pinellas County, and the Juvenile Welfare Board collaborate to provide a licensed childcare center for CASA's children residing in the Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing. Safety Advocates join the Comunity and Legal Outreach Department and the Residential Department. Director of Operations becomes Assistant Executive Director.

2007 - Peacmaker program begins expansion into pinellas County Elementary schools.

2008 - CASA named "nonprofit business of the year" in 2008 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

2009 - CASA receives three grants through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. A new program area entitled "Child Welfare Advocacy" is developed featuring enhanced collaboration with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department.

2010 - CASA Collections Thrift Shoppe benefitted from renovations and remodeling including new lighting, displays, signage and painting while the exterior of the Admin building also received new stucco and painting. CASA and Home Depot along with hundreds of volunteers partnered with KABOOM! to build a fantastic playground for the familites living in CASA's Transitional Housing.