CASA of Lackawanna County hosted a community celebration on Wednesday recognizing the first-ever Court Appointed Special Advocates Day in Pennsylvania. The event, at Robinson Park on Mountain Lake in Scranton, honored CASA volunteers, community partners and child welfare professionals who work together to advocate for children experiencing abuse and neglect. Attending were CASA of Lackawanna County volunteers and staff, community partners and nonprofit organizations, and local leaders and supporters. The state House of Representatives officially designated July 15 as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Day in Pennsylvania, recognizing the vital role CASA volunteers play in ensuring children in the foster care system have a voice in court and a dedicated advocate.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Thom Welby poses for a photograph with Joan Peterson, executive director for CASA of Lackawanna County, during the CASA Day event held by CASA of Lackawanna County at Robinson Park in Scranton Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Volunteer Bill Brown visits the raffle table set up during the CASA Day event by CASA of Lackawanna County at Robinson Park in Scranton Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
CASA volunteer Eliza Wilson, of Covington Twp., looks on as she arrives to the CASA of Lackawanna County event with her brother Gabe and mother Rena at Robinson Park in Scranton Thursday, July 16, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Show Caption
1 of 3
Lackawanna County Commissioner Thom Welby poses for a photograph with Joan Peterson, executive director for CASA of Lackawanna County, during the CASA Day event held by CASA of Lackawanna County at Robinson Park in Scranton Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)