CASA of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interests in court, at school, and in the community.

When a child has a CASA, they are more likely to succeed in school, more likely to find a safe, permanent home and are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system.

CASA’s goal is to ensure that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect has a volunteer advocate to speak up for their best interests. CASA helps children find safety, permanency, and the road home, wherever it lies.  They help children heal and thrive.

CATF was founded in 1991 on the values of creating fearless art and telling diverse stories. Located on the campus of Shepherd University, a public liberal arts institution the Festival has grown into a significant and impactful organization. Located 75 miles from Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, the Festival and University have helped establish Shepherdstown, West Virginia as a preeminent cultural center and destination for new theater work.

More than 30 years since its founding, the values on which the Festival was built now represent a mindful intention and best-practice commitment to be more than a theater that produces plays by diverse playwrights. The CATF team dreams of being an institution that holds anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) values in every aspect of their daily operations. They strive to infuse these practices in the art, business, and culture they create for artists and audiences.

CATF strives toward a future in which underrepresented communities are uplifted and valued within the American theater. CATF believes focusing on equitable art-making will create a richer, more profound experience for artists, audiences, and our communities.

Stars That Shine is a non-profit organization serving “at-risk” girls and young women ages 12-20 in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

Stars That Shine programs in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties of West Virginia are designed to empower girls and young women through the teaching of leadership skills, self-confidence, coping skills and communication skills. Programs are proven to grow peer connections, increase academic performance, show positive changes in behaviors and coping skills and improve self-esteem.