Are you ready to make a difference in our community?
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Cruz County seeks adult volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected foster children.
CASA volunteers are ordinary people who are concerned about the happiness and safety of all children. You do not need a social work background or legal expertise to be a good advocate, but you do need to be committed to your case and willing to advocate for what is in the child’s best interest. All other skills and knowledge are taught in our extensive 35 hour training program.
CASA volunteers devote 2-4 hours a week getting to know the child and gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. Advocates stay with each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. Advocates are fully supported by a staff supervisor and are part of a team that works in the best interest of the child.
For many children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
For many volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that brings personal fulfillment, as well as making a positive contribution in our community.
We encourage people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to learn more.
Informational sessions are:
- Tuesday, May 13, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Bay Federal Credit Union, located at 3333 Clares St. in Capitola
- Thursday, May 15, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at The Buttery, located at 702 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz
- Friday, May 16, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, located at 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos
- Wednesday, May 21, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at CASA, located at 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
Volunteers must attend one information session and complete a pre-training interview in Watsonville before beginning training. The next training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate begins August 11, 2014.
More information is available at www.casaofsantacruz.org. You may also RSVP for an information session at www.tinyurl.com/CASAorientation
Contact CASA of Santa Cruz County today at 831-761-2956, ext. 102 or casavolunteer@casaofsantacruz.org