Heidi Hendricks walked into Starbucks with a warm smile and cheerful wave, radiating the same welcoming energy she brings to CASA. Over coffee, she shared her journey with CASA and the deep personal connections that have shaped her commitment to the organization.
Family and community are at the heart of who Heidi is, and this passion is what brought her to CASA twelve years ago. When her father passed away unexpectedly, it was a profound loss for her family and the community he cared so much about. Heidi was honored to be invited to fill his seat on CASA’s board—a role that allowed her to continue the legacy of giving back that her parents instilled in her.
“It wasn’t really about me so much as about my dad and how much he cared about CASA,” Heidi reflected. “What started as a way to honor his legacy became an enormous part of my life. It’s been such a funny, fulfilling, amazing journey.”
Over the years, Heidi has witnessed CASA’s growth firsthand—from serving more children and engaging more volunteers to building greater community awareness. Despite her busy schedule, which revolves around raising her kids, cheering them on at soccer games, and running a family business with her husband, Paul, CASA has remained a central part of her life.
For Heidi, the work CASA does is deeply personal. Her role on the board connects to her commitment to family—not just her own, but also the children CASA serves. “CASA has been a meaningful way to honor my dad, but it’s also become so much more. It’s a journey that has been amazing, and I’m so grateful for all of it.”
This post is part of our 2025 Humans of CASA of Kent County campaign. Click here to check out the campaign webpage and read more featured stories.
West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC), a local nonprofit at the heart of Kent County’s foster care system, was founded in 2017 to transform how children and families experience care.
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our friends at Berger Chevrolet for featuring CASA of Kent County as their charity partner at their first employee luncheon of 2025!
How long can a child live in uncertainty? For one girl, the number at the top of her court report gave the answer: 534 days in out-of-home care, spread across several foster homes.
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2025 Heart of CASA Dinner Event | October 16, 2025
