CASA | Staff | Team | Biographies

Our Advocates

Our CASA Volunteers are the heart and soul of Children's Voice: CASA, Inc. We simply couldn’t fulfill our mission without these extraordinary individuals. The dedication, time, and care they invest in the lives of children experiencing foster care create lasting impacts that ripple far beyond what we can even imagine. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe, supportive, and loving home.

See Our Program for more information.

Dr. LaFayette E. Young, Jr., Chief Executive Officer

Dr. LaFayette E. Young, Jr. joined Children's Voice: CASA, Inc. in September 2024 as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With nearly two decades of dedicated service to championing the well-being of children and families within the foster care system, Dr. Young brings a wealth of expertise to this role. He previously served as the "Training & Inclusion Specialist" with Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), focusing on advancing inclusivity and fostering community engagement.

Dr. Young holds a Doctorate in Social Work from Capella University, specializing in improving reunification outcomes for BIPOC children and families in foster care. He also earned a Master of Social Work degree from the Erikson Institute, focusing on Children & Families and Child Development.

In addition to his leadership at Children's Voice: CASA, Inc., Dr. Young actively collaborates with advocacy organizations to promote racial healing and foster inclusive practices. His commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is reflected in his extensive work with professionals at local, state, and national levels. He is also a dedicated member of the NAACP and the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW).

“Empathy is the thread that weaves together the diverse narratives of human experience in the tapestry of advocacy. Recognizing each individual as a unique and invaluable gift with a rich fabric of lived experiences is essential. When we lose sight of the shared humanity that unites us, we risk succumbing to societal biases perpetuating division. We should strive to embrace the essence of every person, honoring our many diverse roles.”
— Dr. LaFayette E. Young, Jr.

Ann Mathis, Advocacy Program Coordinator

“Have you listened to words of the Matthew West song “Do Something”? That’s the question Ann recently asked Katy. Ann said on that particular day, she was feeling like, “wow, there must be more than I can to do help the children.”

Ann later reflected back on why she became a CASA volunteer in 2006. She remembered the news reports of children being hurt, damaged, discarded, displaced, and disconnected. And she remembered her affirmation to do whatever must be done to make a real difference, to become a CASA and speak for a child who has suffered abuse or neglect.

Since joining Children’s Voice: CASA, Inc. staff in 2007, Ann recognized how vital her support of CASA volunteers is to their ability to effectively advocate for a child’s safety, well-being, and permanency. Former foster youth Chadwick Sapenter said this about his CASA: “ My CASA changed my life”. As a Volunteer Coordinator, Ann strives to ensure CASA volunteers are trained , supported , and equipped with the tools they need to advocate at the highest level for all children in foster care. She supports them in their endeavor to change lives. Her great passion and commitment to improving outcomes for children in foster care contributes to keeping the organization always focused on serving the children. That’s Ann. Passionate, Committed, Ever Learning, and Not Afraid to Do Something.

“There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”
- John F. Kennedy