CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
2025 HONOREES
It is with immense joy and deep gratitude that we come together to celebrate and honor our most cherished supporters, especially those remarkable individuals who shine brightly as this year’s honorees.
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS
Christopher found his way to CASA when looking for a volunteer opportunity in California after relocating from New York. He had previous experience working with another organization providing mentoring support to young boys, but was looking for something that was more involved and required more of a commitment. In his previous role as a mentor figure, he’d take his youth on outings he says the kids weren’t very engaged in the relationship.
After looking for opportunities in Orange County, he found CASA. He did his research and signed up for the
Advocate of the Year
advocate training. Christopher says, “I liked the aspect of the court involvement, the certification procedures and the training involved and wanted something more substantive than my previous volunteer role. I believe volunteering with CASA youth is much more impactful and the youth take it much more seriously - that’s why we have hundreds of kids waiting on a list to be assigned a CASA.” Christopher adds, “Some youth actually request a CASA so there’s a bit more gravity to the relationship and the youth are proactive in wanting the connection.” After completing his CASA training and passing the required background check, Christopher was sworn-in in 2019 and has been working with the same youth, *David, for five years.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
ALISA ABECASSIS
Children's Champion
Alisa reflects on the significance of her role as a court appointed advocate, “It’s not lost on me how profound the court’s decisions are on the life of a child. It’s so critical that judges have as much information and insight as possible when making these life-altering decisions, so our CASA reports are really powerful.” She adds, “CASA can provide a relationship for these children that can be incredibly positive and I’m just happy to continue to do this work. It’s such an amazing program and all my friends who have done it feel incredibly fulfilled and blessed to have this opportunity. So I’m going to continue to inspire more people to do it.
BARCLAY BUTERA INTERIOR DESIGN
Outstanding Corporation
BARCLAY BUTERA INTERIORS was founded by Barclay Butera in 1994 with his first showroom in Newport Beach, California. Since then, Barclay has grown his prestigious interior design firm with an additional location in Park City, Utah. The luxury full-service design firm includes 22 talented designers on staff who work on residential and boutique commercial design projects throughout the country.
The firm’s design-signature is distinctive; classic with a fresh twist that is flawlessly integrated into traditional, transitional, and contemporary interiors alike.​
Artful inclusion of heritage pieces that blend seamlessly alongside distinctive furnishings, pattern-on-pattern fabrics and bold textures are all hallmarks of Barclay’s iconic all-American style. Butera’s passion for interior design began over two decades ago, and has grown into an impressive lifestyle enterprise that is known and sought after around the world today.
The James P. Previti
Charitable Fund
THE JAMES P. PREVITI CHARITABLE FUND
Outstanding Foundation
Through The James P. Previti Charitable Fund, and previously The James Previti Family Foundation, James P. Previti and his family have been giving back for more than 35 years. With James serving as Chairman, and his wife Bobbie Previti as Secretary, the fund board is currently composed of family members, including Jim’s daughter Annamarie Previti, his sister in law Michelle Previti and his niece Helene Previti. The family's involvement with CASA OC began over 10 years ago when Bobbi became a CASA volunteer advocate. She went on to co-chair the Black and White Celebration Gala and is currently serving on the CASA OC Governing Board.
James, Bobbi and their family are committed to giving back to the communities that have personally enriched their lives. The James P. Previti Charitable Fund is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of residents of the communities in which the Previti family has lived or worked, concentrating primarily on the lives of children at risk. The fund supports programs that promote the health, education and general welfare of the people and children in their communities, creating a legacy of community service.