CASA members gave a talk to the Sarah Maples Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently.
Sally and Darla from CASA, really gave an eye opening talk about what they love. They are volunteers from “Court Appointed Special Advocates.”
CASA is a national volunteer movement that began more than 30 years ago, when Judge David Soukup in Seattle decided he needed to know more about the children whose lives were in his hands. He asked community volunteers to act as a “voice in court” for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers provide him with the detailed information he needed to protect the children’s best interests and ensure that they were placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Today, the CASA movement has evolved into one of the largest volunteer organizations in the United States.
CASA is unique in that it empowers ordinary people to serve as officers of the court and work with and on behalf of foster children. Because of their important position in the court system, CASA volunteers can make a lifelong difference in the life of the child they represent. They can stop the cycle of abuse and neglect for generations to come.
A CASA volunteer gets to know the child and speaks to everyone involved in the child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. Casa gathers information and makes recommendations to help the court make informed decisions, they commit to a child until the case is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home.
Children without CASA volunteers spend a longer time in foster care and are less likely to get the help and services they need. You can be the difference! Consider volunteering or make a donation to support the important work of CASA. Contact CASA of Trinity Valley, 1104 E. Tyler St. Athens, 903-675-7070.
Pictured are Vice Regent Suzanne Fife, Sally Simon, Darla Costellow, and Regent Helen Preston.