Each year, children in Weld County enter the court system because they’ve been abused or neglected. They feel alone, scared and overwhelmed and almost 200 of them go into an out of home placement. Only about one fourth of these children are appointed a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer. These volunteers meet with the child once a week and speak up on their behalf. They might speak to a judge about allowing siblings to visit each other. They might speak to a teacher when a child is struggling in school. They might bring teachers, therapists and foster parents together to make sure everyone is on the same page. They are often one of the most consistent persons in that child’s life and they become the voice for that child in court. That voice could be yours!
The Weld County CASA program at Life Stories Child & Family Advocacy is currently looking for 15 new volunteers to be trained this fall to help us increase the number of children who could receive a CASA volunteer. After the training period, most cases only require about a 10-15 hour commitment each month to visit with the child or children and go to court and other case meetings. Our CASA staff work with volunteers’ schedules and attend meetings when a volunteer cannot. They support each volunteer individually to meet their needs so they can be successful. CASA volunteers do not require any special education or experience.
If you have a passion for helping children, you could be a CASA volunteer. Become part of one of the most rewarding volunteer activities in the nation and speak up for a child. All children deserve a safe, permanent home!
Contact Sharon to get started today: Sharon@lifestoriesweld.org or 970-353-5970 or visit our website at www.lifestoriesweld.org/casa. The next training starts September 26.