The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of St. Joseph County is seeking “compassionate” and “dedicated” volunteers to become a voice for children in the foster care system.
With more than 100 children now waiting for an advocate, CASA officials say the need for volunteers is “urgent.”
The final training session for 2025 will begin Sept. 2 and run for six weeks, held from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Juvenile Justice Center in South Bend.
CASA volunteers are trained and appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. In a press release, CASA explained: “They serve as a consistent, caring adult presence for a child navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. CASA volunteers make recommendations to the court that help ensure each child’s voice is heard and their needs are not overlooked.”
“These children are some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” Executive Director Brenda Matuszkiewicz said in the release. “They deserve someone in their corner — someone solely focused on their well-being.”
After finishing the 35-hour training, volunteers spend an average of 10 hours per month on their case. Much of it can be done on their own schedule, such as communicating with caregivers, service providers and professionals and reviewing reports. Volunteers must visit with their assigned child or children at least once per month in person and attend court hearings, typically held every three to six months.
No legal background is required.
To learn more or to apply, visit sjccasa.org.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: CASA has ‘urgent’ need for volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children
Reporting by Joseph Dits, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
