Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA for Children) of Monmouth County is seeking adults to act as advocates for children in foster care.
A CASA volunteer, who is 21 years of age or older, is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. There are currently 550 children in Monmouth County who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, according to a press release.
Although CASA for Children of Monmouth County continues to serve more of these children each year, the need for volunteers continues to grow as more children enter the child welfare and court systems, according to the press release.
To help meet this need, CASA is seeking adults who are willing to speak up for a child as the youngster goes through the court system.
Volunteers work one-on-one with an abused or neglected child and advocate for his or her best interests. Volunteers make sure the children are safe, well-cared for and are placed in a permanent, safe home, according to the press release.
Children may also have health, learning, emotional, or psychological challenges. The children may need special services that the court should be aware of through the volunteer’s updates, according to the press release.
“CASA volunteers don’t require any specific education. All they need is compassion, objectivity and a commitment to children. We will train and supervise them to be effective voices in court,” said Cynthia Van Brunt, executive director for CASA for Children of Monmouth County.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. They are ordinary individuals who rise to be extraordinary by making a difference in the life of a child,” Van Brunt said.
Individuals interested in volunteering can visit casaofmonmouth.org For upcoming information sessions and program details, contact Lynn Goelz at 732-460-9100.
