Who We Are

  • CASA Partners exists to ensure that children who have experienced abuse and neglect have consistent, trained advocates standing beside them. We work in partnership with the court system, community organizations, and dedicated volunteers to strengthen support for children navigating dependency proceedings. Our focus is simple but powerful: recruit, train, and support Court Appointed Special Advocates so that every child’s voice is heard and their best interests are represented. We believe lasting change happens when committed adults step forward and communities rally around their most vulnerable children.

  • Child First
    Every decision we make centers on the safety, well being, and long term stability of the children we serve.

    Integrity
    We operate with transparency, accountability, and a deep respect for the court process and the families involved.

    Commitment
    We show up consistently. Children in crisis need steady, dependable advocates.

    Community
    We believe real impact happens when volunteers, donors, and partners come together with a shared purpose.

    Compassion
    We approach every child and family with empathy, understanding, and dignity.

  • CASA Partners was founded in 1997 by a dedicated group of CASA volunteers who recognized that children involved in dependency and foster care proceedings needed more than advocacy in the courtroom. They saw firsthand the gaps in resources and the everyday needs that were not being met, and they stepped forward to act.

    With a three year, $30,000 grant from the Junior League of Spokane, CASA Partners was established as a volunteer led 501(c)(3) organization committed to supporting the local CASA Program and enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable children in Spokane County. What began as a small community initiative has grown into an organization that now sponsors four direct service projects: My Bag, My School Bag, Needs From The Heart, and the Bee Kind Garden.

    Today, CASA Partners continues to expand its impact through the generosity of local businesses, community organizations, and individual donors. For nearly three decades, we have remained committed to standing in the gap for children who are navigating custodial arrangements, foster care, and uncertain futures, ensuring they receive both advocacy and immediate, compassionate support.

Our Board Members

We serve from the heart, standing firmly for children who deserve stability, dignity, and unwavering support.

At CASA Partners, our board members play a critical role in advancing our mission to support children who have experienced abuse and neglect. They provide strategic leadership, financial oversight, and community advocacy to ensure our programs remain strong, accountable, and sustainable. Through their guidance and commitment, we are able to expand our impact, strengthen our partnerships, and bring greater awareness to the needs of the children we serve. We are deeply grateful for the time, expertise, and heart they invest in this work.

Debra (Deb) Shumway

Deb Shumway has dedicated her career to advocating for children and families. With a background in elementary education, her passion for supporting vulnerable youth began while teaching in an inner-city school, where she saw firsthand the challenges many of her students faced. Deb served as a CASA volunteer for 10 years and now works as a Guardian ad Litem representing the best interests of children in the foster care system, while also serving as a foster parent. She is a proud wife and mother of three boys and remains deeply committed to ensuring children in foster care have a strong voice and advocate.

Mandy Cripps

Mandy Cripps brings a deep commitment to children and families through both her professional and community work. She currently serves as the juvenile court CASA Program Coordinator, a role she has grown into over the past 10 years in different capacities and also contracts with Superior Court to represent children in family law cases. Mandy’s background includes serving as a behavior interventionist at Central Valley High School, supporting children and families navigating mental health challenges, and working with high-risk offenders transitioning out of the state prison system. In addition to serving on this board, she is also Vice President of the Family Impact Network board. Outside of work, Mandy enjoys trail running, hiking, a good book, good coffee, and cheering on her three grown sons, all former or current collegiate athletes.

Patrick Donahue

Pat Donahue has spent more than 30 years working with children and families in Spokane County. He served 24 years in the court system, including 14 years as a Probation Counselor and CASA/GAL Program Coordinator, and currently works as a Behavioral Health Coordinator with Spokane County. Pat holds a degree in Psychology and Child and Family Studies and is a proud father of three adult children who enjoys spending time with family, relaxing at the lake, golfing, and playing pickleball.

Juanita Schultz

Juanita Schultz brings both lived experience and deep compassion to her work with CASA Partners. Having experienced foster care herself, she understands firsthand how important support and advocacy can be in a child’s life. She has served as a CASA for five years, volunteers with the Teen and Kid Closet, and was honored to join the CASA Partners Board in 2024. Juanita is also a sign language interpreter and a proud mother of four, grandmother of eight, and Gi Gi to one great grandbaby who believes we are here for a short time, so we should make it count.

Christine (Chris) Hills

Christine Hills first connected with CASA Partners through the Bee Kind Garden, where she volunteered for three years before joining the board. She now co leads the My School Bag program, helping organize requests and coordinate volunteer shoppers so children receive needed clothing and supplies. After retiring in 2023 from her career as a Bank Call Center Quality Manager, Christine has continued to pour her time and heart into supporting children in foster care. She is proud to serve alongside such a dedicated group and values the meaningful connections she has built with children and families through her work.

Michael R. Addams

Michael R. Addams brings extensive legal, academic, and public service experience to CASA Partners. He holds both a JD and MBA from Gonzaga University and began volunteering as a CASA during law school before joining the CASA Partners board in 2014. Michael currently serves as the Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Cheney and as faculty in the Schools of Business and Accounting at Eastern Washington University. A veteran of 24 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, he also serves as a Pro Tem Commissioner in Spokane County Superior Court and a Pro Tem Judge in Spokane County District Court. Michael and his wife, a speech language pathologist who works with youth with communication disorders, are proud parents of four children.

Deepika Gupta

Deepika Gupta is an internal medicine physician with more than 11 years of experience practicing in Spokane, Washington, where she cares for adults with a wide range of health needs. Through her work, she has seen how deeply social circumstances and family stability affect overall well-being, which has drawn her to advocacy work for children. She strongly believes that time is our most valuable resource and dedicates hers to supporting and advocating for vulnerable children. Deepika was drawn to CASA Partners because of its mission to ensure every child in the foster care system has a voice and the opportunity for a better future. Outside of medicine, she is a proud mom to her son and a dog mom who enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and reading books focused on personal growth.

Amanda Kegley

Amanda Kegley is an Operations Manager at The Industrious with more than a decade of leadership experience in operations, training, and strategic program management for national organizations, including leadership roles with Verizon. She is known for building strong partnerships, leading complex initiatives, and creating systems that expand organizational impact and community connection. As a Spokane native, Amanda cares deeply about strengthening support for children and families in her community. She and her wife, Jill, are both actively engaged in that effort, with Jill volunteering alongside CASA Partners in support of its mission.

Edna Preuss

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