Skip to content
New NameCASA of Warren and Forest Counties Is Now CYAN of Warren and Forest CountiesRead the news
Become an Advocate
Menu
A historic courthouse with white columns stands under a clear blue sky.
A man and a woman walk across a sunny lawn with a boy between them.

Photos: David Guerrero on Pexels · RDNE Stock project on Pexels

Mission, Vision & History

Why we do this work, where we're headed, and how we got here.

Our Mission

To recruit, train, and empower dedicated community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children within the court system who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, ensuring every child has a safe, supportive, and permanent home where they can thrive.

Our Vision

To continue to give a voice to abused children within the juvenile court system and become the local leader in advocacy by recruiting volunteers and educating the public as to the scope and availability of the services for the protection of children.

Our History

Volunteer child advocacy in Warren and Forest Counties began in December 2002, when Warren County Children and Youth Services brought the idea to the Child Abuse Prevention Committee of Warren, a partnership of community agencies committed to preventing child abuse and neglect. After hearing from the statewide association and visiting programs in other parts of Pennsylvania, the committee set out to bring trained volunteer advocates to the children of both counties.

In 2003, the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center agreed to serve as our home, and the committee grew into a task force that wrote our business plan: the Children and Youth directors of both counties, the director of the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, the court's Guardian ad Litem, the President Judge, and concerned citizens from Warren and Forest Counties. Our first director, Lisa Thompson, was hired in May 2004, and our first class of volunteer advocates was sworn in that November.

Lisa led our work for 15 years. Melissa Sproveri became director in January 2020, and Kelsey Howard joined us in December 2025.

On November 2, 2026, we became CYAN of Warren and Forest Counties, part of one statewide network under one name. Our name changed; our mission did not.

Milestones

  1. 2002

    The idea takes root

    Warren County Children and Youth Services brings volunteer child advocacy to the Child Abuse Prevention Committee of Warren.

  2. 2003

    A home and a plan

    The Jefferson DeFrees Family Center agrees to serve as our home, and a task force from both counties writes our business plan.

  3. 2004

    Our first advocates

    Lisa Thompson is hired as our first director in May, and our first class of volunteer advocates is sworn in that November.

  4. 2020

    New leadership

    Melissa Sproveri becomes director.

  5. 2025

    Kelsey Howard joins us

    Kelsey Howard is hired in December to lead our work for the children of Warren and Forest Counties.

  6. 2026

    A new name: CYAN

    We become CYAN of Warren and Forest Counties: a new name, with the same mission of a voice for every child in dependency court.

Meet the People Behind the Work

Our staff and advisory council make this work possible for the children of Warren and Forest Counties.

Meet Our Team