NEWS & EVENTS
Stronger communities are built through diverse and thriving businesses.
New CASA Volunteers Sworn In
August 19, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—08/06/2019
Contact: Helen Calvin, Elkhart County CASA, 574-522-1998 ext. 285, hcalvin@capselkhart.org
New CASA Volunteers Sworn In to Advocate for Children
ELKHART (August 6, 2019) — Aug. 1, 2019, Magistrate Deborah Domine swore in seven community members as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children.
Family and friends gathered in the Elkhart County Courthouse to watch Mackenzie Murphy, Denise Schott, Cathy Heath, Carly Quick, Aaron Anderson, Kyla Wolferman and Annika Pairitz take an oath promising to advocate for the best interest of the child.
The newly appointed CASA volunteers join 80 other dedicated community members who have been trained and are advocating for children in the county’s juvenile court system. As officers of the court, they ensure that the children’s voice and needs are recognized, and best interests are considered both in the courtroom and in the community.
CASA volunteers are asked to meet with the child on a monthly basis and are authorized to interview people in the child’s life such as social workers, attorneys, and teachers. They attend court hearings for and with the child and report their findings to the judge.
“Our volunteers pledge to stay with each child until the case is closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home," said Justin Allen, director of the Elkhart County CASA Program. "The advocate is often the only consistent adult presence in the child’s life.”
More advocates are still needed to help maintain the program’s zero waitlist, a goal that was reached earlier this year, for the first time in the history of Elkhart County’s CASA. There are no prerequisites for becoming a CASA volunteer other than being at least 21 years of age, clearing an extensive background screening and successfully completing 34 hours of initial training.
The next advocate training session for Elkhart County begins Sept. 4, from 6-9. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer and the rewards that come along with serving as the voice of a child, please contact Helen Calvin at 574-522-1998 ext. 285 or visit our website at www.capselkhart.org/programs/casa
(-more-)
About CASA
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. CAPS – Child and Parent Services is a proud supporter of CASA and houses the Elkhart County CASA Program.
Media Contact
Helen Calvin
Elkhart County CASA
574-522-1998 ext. 285
helenc@capselkhart.org
Contact:
Cindy Sawyer, Marketing and Outreach Manager
csawyer@capselkhart.org, (574) 295-2277
NEWS FEED
VISIT
