CASA Celebrates Veterans Day

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County is celebrating Veteran’s Day by honoring CASA volunteers who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and continue to serve their community by speaking up for children who have been abused or neglected.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are everyday members of the community who are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for abused or neglected children in court. Their mission is to help the children move out of foster care and into a safe home environment as quickly as possible.

Veterans often leave the service with an ability to work cooperatively with individuals from various backgrounds as well as a desire to stand for what is right. Those skills translate well into becoming a CASA advocate and working within the system to speak up for abused and neglected children. Nationally, the CASA Program has a relationship with the American Legion which offers its support to the program.

CASA pays tribute to all Veterans who have served our county and to the CASA advocates who serve a dual role in both protecting our freedom and our children.

CASA volunteers are professionally trained to advocate for children in foster care. Advocates get to know one child or sibling group and speak to others involved in the children’s lives, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers and social workers. Their recommendations and the information they gather help judges overseeing child welfare cases make informed decisions on a child’s best interest.

Court Appointed Special Advocates don’t have to have any special degree or background. Advocates from all walks of life are desperately needed to volunteer their time so no child falls through the cracks in the foster care system. For more information, visit www.pgcasa.org. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/Court-Appointed-Special-Advocate-CASA-Prince-Georges-County.

To find out how to become a CASA volunteer, call us at 301-209-0491.

CALL-TO-ACTION

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County can only reach 35% of the children in need each year. That means over 300 children have no one advocating for their rights. The CASA program is committed to making sure that every child in need has access to a CASA volunteer. CASA/Prince George’s County is holding an informational event Thursday, November 30th from 6-7pm in the Hyattsville Administrative Building at 4310 Gallatin Street. Join us to learn how you can help in the fight against child abuse. RSVP to volunteer@pgcasa.org.

CONTACT

Please contact CASA/Prince George’s County at 301-209-0491 or visit their Web site at www.pgcasa.org.