Kat loves her full and active life on the ranch, riding her horse and enjoying the many other animals that share her home. Meeting this happy teenager, it's hard to imagine that just three years ago, due to severe abuse by the very people who were to care for her, Kat had to leave her home and was placed into foster care while the court decided what would be best for her future.

While the court evaluated her case, Kat was not alone. By her side was Billie Jo, a CASA volunteer, a court-appointed special advocate who was Kat's voice throughout the legal process.

Billie Jo and Kat, with a love of horses in common, hit it off immediately. "Horses are kind of like a medicine to me; they've helped me heal about my past; they've just helped me grow," Kat said in a news release.

Eventually, her foster parents gained permanent guardianship and Kat gained hope for the future. "I want to thank United Way for helping kids like me by supporting CASA," Kat said.

Volunteers like Billie Jo and the Living United campaign help children like Kat through a very difficult time, making a real difference in their lives.

Last year in the Black Hills area, more than 800 children were victims of abuse or neglect.

CASA is a local nonprofit agency supported by the United Way and its Living United campaign. To contribute or for information, call 343-5872.

Fundraising goals

y Total goal: $1,200,000

y Total collected: $718,242, 34.2 percent of goal

Rapid City

y Goal: $1,820,000

y Collected: $686,497

38 percent of goal

Sturgis

y Goal: $95,000

y Collected: $22,535

24 percent of goal

Northern Hills

y Goal: $185,000

y Collected: $9,209

5 percent of goal