Empower a Child – October 23rd

Empower a Child marked the official kickoff of CASA Essex’s commemorative 40th anniversary—a moment to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead together.

During the evening, we were reminded that milestones, like birthday candles, begin with a single flame. Forty years ago, that first light was lit in Essex County by people who believed every child deserves to be seen, heard, and protected. Over time, that flame has been shared - passed from one advocate to another, one donor to another, one partner to another, multiplying into a community of lights that has never gone out.

As these photos reflect, the night was filled with connection, gratitude, and shared purpose. Each person in the room carried a piece of that flame, reinforcing what makes CASA Essex extraordinary: when we hold the light together, it grows stronger.

As we enter our 40th year, we celebrate not only how long the candle has burned, but how it continues to ignite hope and ensure that no child in Essex County ever stands alone in the dark.