CASA seeks volunteers to support children in need

GREEN BAY – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Brown County is looking for 10 more volunteers for their next cohort to help provide assistance to children who need their voices heard the most.

“We recruit, train and support volunteers in our community, who are then appointed by a judge, who provide advocacy to children in our community navigating the child welfare system,” Kayla Lindal, director of philanthropy and communications at CASA, said.

In the past year, CASA helped 326 kids with just 160 volunteers, but the need is still growing.

“That number of children continues to rise and the need for volunteers also continues to rise. Right now, we do have kids waiting for a volunteer advocate,” Lindal said.

On May 28, CASA’s next training course will begin and they have 10 slots open for new volunteers.

Volunteers meet with the child they are assigned to one-on-one once a week where they get to know the child, play games and build a relationship.

Writing a report to a judge to advocate for the child is another aspect of volunteering.

These reports are used when deciding safety decisions such as placement for the child.

CASA supports kids aged 0-18 and provides a stable person during their time in the welfare system.

Lindal mentioned, “The children that we see are victims of abuse or neglect. They have been removed from their primary caregiver and may be navigating a new home, a new school, likely new friends, different siblings, whatever the case may be. The most important role, I think, at CASA is just being that consistent, caring adult.”

Additionally, volunteers are paired with a staff member who supports them and answers any questions they may have during their volunteering.

Those who don’t have the means to volunteer can support by sharing the need for volunteers with their network and community or contribute financially to help strengthen
outreach efforts.

To learn more or sign up for the training, visit casabc.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.

Pass It Forward™ editorial is sponsored by Packers Give Back, Nicolet National Bank and the National Trust for Local News.