About Us
Through courtroom advocacy and connection to community resources, we strengthen families and forever improve the home lives of children.
Through courtroom advocacy and connection to community resources, we strengthen families and forever improve the home lives of children.
To date, our staff and volunteers have changed the home lives of over 3,500 abused and neglected children.
Never Lost was founded in 1994 by members of the Thomasville community who saw a need for adult advocacy for children in foster care. Originally named Thomas County CASA, the organization was – and still is – linked to the national Court Appointed Special Advocate ® (CASA) network.
In the CASA model, trained volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for a child’s best interests, creating life-changing impact for children and youth who have experienced neglect. Never Lost is one of 40+ CASA programs in Georgia and one of the first established in the state. We serve children (ages birth to 18) and families in Thomas, Brooks and Colquitt counties.
We act as a compass,
helping children find their way home.
Never Lost strives daily to provide stability, protection, and hope for children in transition. Foster care can feel migratory. Children are often in a constant state of movement from one home to the next. Navigating the path back home can feel overwhelming.
We liken our role to that of a compass, providing sound direction and focus. That’s why you’ll see a robin in our logo. With a compass in their right eye, robins are quite literally, Never Lost. And that’s also our wish for the children we serve – to be Never Lost in the system, Never Lost in their family unit, and Never Lost in the opportunities for their lives. The end goal is always to achieve permanency – a stable, safe and loving “forever home” in the best place for each individual child.
Four guiding principles influence our decision-making and interactions
Advocacy
Through the court system, we give a voice to children who cannot speak for themselves.
Persistance
Giving up is not an option. We celebrate progress and push for better outcomes.
Compassion
At the heart of what we do is a deep concern for the lives of children and families in our community.
Respect
We have high and due regard for the rights, beliefs and traditions of others, showing respect for families, parents, children and caregivers and their relationships with each other.
Advocacy
Through the court system, we give a voice to children who cannot speak for themselves.
Persistence
Giving up is not an option. We celebrate progress and push for better outcomes.
Compassion
At the heart of what we do is a deep concern for the lives of children and families in our community.
Respect
We have high and due regard for the rights, beliefs and traditions of others, showing respect for families, parents, children and caregivers and their relationships with each other.
Programs
Never Lost offers two distinct pathways for hand-on support of fostered children.
CASA Kids
The CASA Kids volunteer program is a long-term commitment to serve as the Court Appointed Special Advocate® for a child or young adult. After completion of a nationally-accredited training program, volunteers are appointed by a local judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court, observing and reporting on health, safety, home care and emotional behaviors. CASA Kids volunteers are crucial in achieving the right permanency placement for children exiting foster care.
Compass Kids
Compass Kids is a support program for children, families and caregivers affected by foster care, providing resources and activities that help kids and adults cope, while also offering hope and changing patterns. Family visitation times, creative and engaging activities, and real-life experiences like summer camps, swimming lessons, and dance classes shape the Compass Kids initiative.
Never Lost House
Here in the South, nothing says “welcome” quite like a rocking chair front porch.
When the Never Lost staff and Board set out to find a new space in 2018, we envisioned something comfortable and welcoming (kind of like grandma’s house!), and here in the South, nothing says “welcome” quite like a rocking chair front porch. So when the group discovered 1835 Smith Avenue in Thomasville, complete with wide front porch, big rooms for play and work, and even backyard space that feels like a neighborhood, a new home for Never Lost was quickly established.
The Never Lost House is our hub for connecting resources with children and families. Here, we provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow and play, feel connected, and engage with supportive adults and peers.
In this space, separated parents and children can safely visit with each other through structured play and programming designed for healthy interactions and progress. It’s a place where positive relationships are fostered and social skills are built – critical components of confidence and success.
Within these walls, we uncover children’s interests and talents. We demonstrate love and compassion. We unite families and friends. If these walls could talk, they would say, “Come on in. There’s room for you here.”
