CASA Volunteers Help Fight Domestic Violence

Do you want to give back to your community, but aren't sure where or how to start?

To make it easy for you to connect with organizations in need, Patch is running a special end-of-year series, The 12 Days of Volunteering. Through Dec. 31, we will bring you one volunteer opportunity a day from a local nonprofit group. 

Day 5: CASA

If you're looking for a volunteer opportunity that will allow you to make a profound difference in people's lives, CASA may be the right choice for you.

CASA, which stands for Community Action Stops Abuse, is dedicated to ending domestic violence and works with victims, offering everything from advocacy to a safe haven. It is based in St. Petersburg and has partnerships with groups throughout Pinellas County.

CASA's mission is "to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change,” according to its website. 

Due to the nature of the work involved, volunteers are required to complete screening and training specific to their position. Requirements may include:

• Background check through a local law enforcement agency
• Staff interview, with a tour of the facility and a chance for CASA to get to know you
• A course from the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Here are some of the volunteer opportunities available through CASA:

• FCADV certified advocates assist with job and school applications from participants, drive them to and from appointments, answer the crisis line, tutor and play games with children, maintain shelters, assist with support groups and serve as a friend to participants.
• FCADV certified child care assistants supervise children while parents are in support groups, tutor children, play games with children, read to children and assist on the playground.
• FCADV certified crisis line advocates assist crisis line callers and help with record-keeping.
• FCADV certified legal advocates inform and educate survivors and their families who have entered the legal system for protection against domestic violence.
• Life skills advocates create workshops for share personal knowledge with participants; topics range from financial planning and grocery shopping on a budget to sewing and job interviews.
• Community education advocates spread the word about CASA’s mission at events like health fairs, conferences and seminars.
• Thrift store assistants help shoppers find merchandise, sort and price items and assist at the check out.
• Thrift store merchandisers create attractive displays in the shop, dress mannequins, arrange books and clothing into categories, and sort merchandise to display its potential.
• CASA administration assistants prepare fundraising mailings, sort donations and answer phones.
• CASA Amigas, made up of community members, organize fundraising events. This opportunity is good for those with limited availability.
• Event assistants help with greeting and check-ins at events, and set up and tear down event space.

For details on how you can get involved, call CASA at 727-895-4912.

About this column: This special 12-day series looks at ways residents can volunteer and make a difference in their communities in 2012.