CASA of Marion County recently began a comprehensive renovation of its main office and is adding a space for community events and training. CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a national nonprofit that pairs children in the foster care system with court-appointed voluntee r advocates. CASA of Marion County is the local arm. It was incorporated in 2002 and moved its headquarters from Keizer to the current Salem location — at 454 17th Street NE, just east of downtown — in 2024. A conceptual rendering of the community room by Kaley Fought of Forward Architecture. (Courtesy of Vanessa Nordyke) Renovation began on Oct. 19 and is expected to take about 60 days. It will involve building a new community room to host court-appointed advocate trainings as well as educational workshops and events. The remodel will provide the organization with the infrastructure “to advocate for even more children,” CASA of Marion County Executive Director Vanessa Nordyke said in a statement. The reception area before the renovation began. (Courtesy of Vanessa Nordyke) “The new Community Room will be a game-changer for our mission,” Nordyke said. “We will have a dedicated, in-house hub to train our volunteers, educate the public on foster care issues and collaborate directly with our community stakeholders.” The organization has raised $67,500 as of Oct. 28 and is looking to raise an additional $75,000, Nordyke told Salem Reporter.  “Combined, that will cover the full cost of the remodel and allow us to do more things such as purchasing a dishwasher for the kitchen,” Nordyke said. The organization is directing community members who want to support the renovation to donate here.  Staff and volunteers are working remotely during the renovation and are hosting meetings virtually and at off-site meeting spaces. CASA advocates will continue to attend all juvenile court hearings in person. Contact reporter Kent Friel: [email protected]. The post CASA of Marion County to undergo renovation appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less