CASA of Elkhorn Valley & Black Hills Energy Announce Partnership

Image: Andrew Huber, Josh Doorlag, Clayton Pelster of Black Hills Energy and Monica Huber of CASA of Elkhorn Valley

O'Neill, NE – CASA Of Elkhorn Valley, a non-profit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of abused or neglected children through a network of highly trained volunteers, is proud to announce a partnership with Black Hills Energy, a leading regulated electric and natural gas utility. This vital collaboration aims to significantly expand the CASA program’s reach into additional counties and ensure advocacy services are available for older youth in the 19-to-21-year-old demographic.

The partnership comes at a critical time when the need for trained, independent advocates for children in the court system is growing across rural Nebraska. Black Hills Energy’s support will assist in providing essential resources to help CASA Of Elkhorn Valley strengthen its infrastructure, support expansion efforts, and recruit a diverse volunteer base to meet current needs.

“The mission of CASA Of Elkhorn Valley is dependent on strong community partnerships and the dedication of our volunteers,” said Monica Huber, Executive Director at CASA Of Elkhorn Valley. “This partnership with Black Hills Energy will be transformative for our program. Their generous support allows us to not only reach more children in more counties but will also help to ensure older youth aging out of the system will have the representation they deserve. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to the well-being of the children in the communities we serve.”

"Black Hills Energy is proud to help support CASA Of Elkhorn Valley and is thankful for their valuable work in the communities we serve," said Clayton Pelster, Operation Supervisor at Black Hills Energy. "We believe in investing in the communities where our employees live and work, and helping vulnerable children in the legal system is a cause that resonates deeply with our company values."

Key Initiatives of the Partnership Include:

Geographic Expansion:
The project will initially solidify services in Holt and Madison Counties, with a plan to expand to Antelope, Pierce, Stanton, Boyd, Wheeler, Garfield, Valley, and Greeley Counties by December 2026.

Volunteer Recruitment and Training:
The goal is to recruit and train ten new volunteers in each new county, drastically increasing the number of children who can be served.

Demographic Focus:
Specific efforts will target recruitment of bilingual volunteers and those willing to expand their passion to work with young adults aged 19 to 21.

Community Collaboration:
The project will strengthen collaborative partnerships with local courts, DHHS, schools, and local organizations to create a unified support system.

About CASA Of Elkhorn Valley

CASA Of Elkhorn Valley amplifies the voices of abused or neglected children through a network of highly trained volunteers who advocate for their best interests and needs during court proceedings and beyond.

Their goal is to ensure every child in the court system has a safe, permanent home. Learn how to get involved or donate at elkhornvalleycasa.org or email Monica Huber at executivedirector@elkhornvalleycasa.org.

About Black Hills Energy:

Black Hills Energy is a regulated electric and natural gas utility that serves 1.3 million customers in eight states. The company is committed to providing safe, reliable energy and supporting the vitality of the communities it serves through charitable giving and volunteerism. More information is available on their website at www.blackhillsenergy.com