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What does it mean to be a CASA? What impact can I make as a CASA Volunteer? A Volunteer's Perspective Volunteer Info Sessions Next Volunteer Training |
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CASA?A volunteer's main purpose is to advocate for the best interests of a child who is in the system due to abuse or neglect. They stand with a child for the entirety of his or her case, until the child achieves permanency. A CASA volunteer becomes a constant figure for a child whose teachers, social workers, and other influences are always changing. Responsibilities include:
What impact can I make as a CASA volunteer?There are hundreds of kids in the system who don't have consistent adult influences in their lives. The upheaval in their lives means they change school districts, and teachers, very often. In addition, kids in the system usually go through multiple social workers in a relatively short time span. They need a solid, dependable adult to listen to them and advocate for their best interests, and that's what CASA volunteers do. By becoming a CASA volunteer, you can make establish a relationship with a child who needs support and someone to fight for them.
A Volunteer's PerspectiveCurrent CASA volunteers love what they do and are committed to changing their kids' lives for the better. Many have shared their experiences as volunteers and what led them to volunteer. One volunteer shares that she was an abused child who never received help, and that she is a CASA volunteer to be a voice and support for kids who went through similar situations as she did. Another comments on the impact being a CASA has on his life, saying "My life is fuller because of the awesome connections that I have made with not only the kids but other adults that have the time and caring to volunteer just like I do." Just as volunteers have an impact on their assigned kids' lives, the kids have an impact on their volunteers' lives as well.
new casa volunteer trainingThe next new CASA volunteer training series will begin September 7, 2022 for all counties.
Click on the links to the right to submit an online application or download a paper application and volunteer position description. For more information about CASA, call the office at 517.331.9316. |