CASA Volunteers Needed
By: Kathy Orren, Program Manager for CASA
Topics: Foster Children, child protective services, Volunteer, advocates
Posted by korren23 Mon Oct 1, 2007 12:14:18 PDT
Viewed 1272 times
0 responses 0 comments Location: 2000 24th Street #130, Bakersfield, CA 93301
All children have a right to a safe home with loving people to care for them. Unfortunately, each year thousands of children in Kern County are abused, abandoned, or neglected by their families or caregivers—people who are supposed to love and protect them.
I know a little boy whose mother plays cruel jokes on him. Mom drops off the little boy despite his tearful pleas at being left with yet another stranger. Mom says she will only be gone “a few minutes.” Several days later, after recovering from another drug binge, she retrieves her son from her friend’s house as if only a few hours have passed. Sometimes Mom doesn’t even know with whom she has left her little boy. This little boy, at age 4, has never experienced Christmas and has never heard the Birthday Song. He sleeps on the corner of a urine-stained mattress piled high with dirty clothing. Finally, one of Mom’s “friends” calls the authorities after taking care of the little boy for three weeks with no contact from Mom. The little boy is subsequently taken to the Jamison Children’s Shelter wearing nothing but a pair of soiled men’s boxer shorts.
Sometimes, for their own protection, children must be removed from their homes and placed under the protection of the court. Kern County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) was formed in 1994 to recruit, screen, and train ordinary people in the community to serve as children’s advocates in local child protection proceedings.
The juvenile court judges then appoint these trained Advocates to represent individual children in the dependency system. Advocates research each case and look for the best solutions for their assigned child. They befriend the child and speak on his behalf in court. They remember birthdays and provide the special attention that means so much to kids. Above all, a CASA volunteer remains with the child throughout his time in the court system. Others come and go, but CASA volunteers remain with their children until a permanent home is found.
What happened to the little boy whom no one wanted? His grandparents, who didn’t even know he existed, were found. A CASA volunteer was appointed who worked with the social worker and the child’s attorney in successfully persuading the judge to terminate parental rights so the child could realize his dream of living with his grandparents forever. This little boy’s life changed forever!
CASA volunteers change lives! Have you made a difference in a child’s life? Now is your chance—the next CASA training begins Thursday, October 11, 2007. Trainings are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and run from October 11 to November 13. Topics include child development, child welfare overview, dynamics of abuse, juvenile dependency law, community resources, and court report writing.
If you would like more information about the CASA program, please call 631-CASA (2272), or download an application to volunteer at www.kerncasa.org.
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