That’s where a community-based nonprofit has stepped in to help. Come AlongSide Others (CASO) formed four years ago to care for children impacted by abuse or neglect by supporting foster, adoptive and biological families, guardians and caseworkers. Volunteers perform acts of service as well as operate the CASO Foster Care Closet in an effort to reduce trauma and prevent caregiver burnout.

CASO Executive Director Jolene Haffner saw from her own foster care parenting experience the need for an organization. She began offering services on a small scale from her home in 2020. CASO officially launched in February 2021 with a banquet and the first major training for volunteers.

“We started out doing just acts of service, which is why we weren’t a nonprofit, because we didn’t need to raise money. We just found volunteers who wanted to go and mow a yard or bring a meal or babysit,” Haffner said.

As the organization grew and took on nonprofit status, the closet that provides a wealth of items to foster families and children needed more space. CASO approached Ward County about six months ago and was offered space in the 425 Building at the corner of Burdick and Front Street in downtown Minot.

Jill Schramm/MDN Books, toys, shoes and more are available at the Foster Care Closet to children making the transition to foster care.

The organization now wants to take the next step and acquire a house.

A house would be able to accommodate the closet and take in children who may wait days or weeks for placement with caregivers. Waiting children now are held at the Ward County Administrative Building in an office converted to a sleeping room, with a separate open area for a couch and television, which Haffner said is not the most welcoming environment.

CASO hopes to provide a home where volunteers can help with homework and engage in activities with the youth, where an outdoor play area is available and where a visitation room can provide a more homelike environment for biological families and their children in foster care, she said.

The five-member CASO council is considering location options while waiting on pending grants, working with a lender and continuing to run its capital campaign to raise $150,000.

“We really are relying on the community,” Haffner said. “We’re doing our best but we can’t do it without finances.”

CASO received permission from the Ward County Commission April 15 to remain in the county-owned building at no cost until April of 2026.

However, Haffner said the hope is to move into a home setting before the end of the year.

Kristi Frederick, director of the Ward County Human Service Zone, encouraged the county commission at its meeting to continue providing space for CASO until a new location is obtained.

“We are currently down six staff in our case management team, and so, the time that is saved with the services and support that CASO provides when we have kids coming into care, at all hours and in various numbers, is tremendous. It’s a tremendous burden that is lifted off staff in the heat of the moment, and it provides a tremendous support to the families that are taking these kids in,” Frederick said. “We appreciate this service. It is beneficial. It helps the community. It helps out our services that we provide.”

“This is a tremendous amount of volunteer work that is doing a tremendous amount of good in our community,” Commissioner Jason Olson told the CASO representatives. “It’s just a very heartfelt program that is caring about people in our community and some of the most vulnerable people, and you’re doing excellent work.”

Council President Kelsey Vetter shared with commissioners some of the work and response. She read a series of letters from foster families, including one foster parent who spoke about the blessing of a basketful of essentials along with an outpouring of knowledge and encouragement from CASO when about to take in their first foster child. The foster parent also wrote about the assistance provided through caring for multiple foster children since 2023.

“CASO is a link in the chain of support to help these kids get what they need to be happy, healthy and safe and loved. They deserve all of those things, and I’m so thankful for all those, just like CASO, that help do what they can to make this happen,” Vetter read.

CASO has gone the distance to clean a home, do laundry and purchase bunk beds with new donated mattresses for a single mother holding down two jobs who was about to have her children taken into foster care if she didn’t get proper beds. The gratitude and excitement of the family with the new sleeping arrangement was the volunteers’ reward.

Vetter shared her own story of recently meeting a caseworker at the closet with two foster children wearing pajamas, the only clothes they had.

“They hadn’t been in school in weeks. Those kids needed to get to school. We dressed them. We filled a bag full of clothing for them. We got a toothbrush, a hairbrush,” she said. “We got them ready for school. I gave them toys. I said, ‘This is yours. It’s going with them.’ And a hug and out the door they went to school. That’s why we’re there. That’s why we exist. That’s why we continue to push and raise money.”

Haffner said the Foster Care Closet is designed to provide initial, one-time aid to foster families and children in new situations and to address emergency situations rather than provide extended assistance.

The appointment-based closet aids foster families and children with all types of clothing needs, diapers, car seats, other baby supplies and hygiene items for all ages. Children are invited to select from bedding, towels, books, stuffed animals and suitcases/duffels. Particularly popular are the duffels with the UMatter logo, made by a CASO volunteer.

“The kids can take as many toys as they want,” Haffner said. “They also get to pick out a brand new toy. … When the kids leave their homes, they don’t get to take their toys with them. So this way, they can go into a foster home with a new toy of their own.”

If Christmas or a child’s birthday is approaching, foster parents can select extra new toys.

CASO has received community help through donations. It is suggested people check CASO’s social media for information on items needed because there is limited space available to store items at the closet. Underwear must be new, and CASO’s donors have included students and staff at Our Redeemer’s Christian School, where the honor society conducted a Socktoberfest sock drive. In addition, a local restaurant donates its surplus prepared food items to CASO families.

Upcoming education, open house events set in May

A foster care recruitment event will be held Monday, May 19, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Journey Church, 1805 2nd St. SE in Minot.

Ward County statistics show an average of 140 children in foster care. Shortages of foster families result in delayed placements and separation of siblings.

Participants at the recruitment event will learn about Ward County and Nexus-PATH foster care programs, Catholic Charities’ services for adoption of foster children, Come AlongSide Others (CASO) and hear from a foster parent panel. This is a casual event, with question and answer time along with time to speak one-on-one with each group.

Doors will open 5:45 p.m. Snacks will be provided. Registration is required by the day of the event, but registration for child care during the event must be completed by May 12. Contact casominot@gmail.com or visit CASO Minot on social media for registration information.

CASO will hold two open houses for foster care families and the public at the CASO Foster Care Closet, 425 Front St. SE, on Tuesdays, May 13 and 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The organization also invites those interested in volunteering or considering financial support to visit casond.org to connect.

CASO representatives are available to speak to church or service groups or can accommodate one-on-one meetings. Contact CASO by email or text or call 720-2138.