CASA of Santa Cruz County’s Volunteer Training To Begin May 3
CASA of Santa Cruz County is drawing the community’s attention to National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month with its Pinwheels for Prevention Garden at the CASA House in Watsonville. The blue pinwheel has become a national symbol for child abuse prevention and is a reminder that all children deserve a happy and safe childhood.
“The 250 pinwheels represent the 250 children and youth in foster care that CASA hopes to serve this year,” said Jimmy Cook, CASA Program Manager. “All children need caring adults in their lives to stand up for them, and be their voice.”
There are almost 500 children in the dependency (foster) care system at any given time in Santa Cruz County who were removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. CASA trains, supervises and empowers volunteers to directly influence life-changing decisions affecting children and youth in foster care.
You do not have to be a lawyer or social worker to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are everyday people, trained by CASA and then appointed by judges to advocate for the safety of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Advocates speak up for the best interest of children and teens in the courtroom, in the classroom, and in the community. Advocates are fully supported by a staff supervisor and are part of a team that works in the best interests of the child.
A CASA volunteer spends time with his or her child each week (2-4 hours on average), offering friendship and emotional support while helping the child rebuild trust and self-esteem, as well as gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case. Although there is a great need for bilingual and male volunteers, we always encourage people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to learn more.
For many children, their CASA volunteer will be the one consistent 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.
Volunteers must attend one information meeting and a screening interview before May 1 to be eligible to participate in the May Training.
Upcoming Informational sessions are:
- Thursday, April 21, from 2 to 3 p.m. at The Buttery, 702 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz
- Friday, April 22, from 12 to 1 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, 9105 Soquel Dr. in Aptos
- Tuesday, April 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. at CASA, Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
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RSVP for an information session at www.tinyurl.com/CASAorientation
Contact Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Cruz County www.casaofsantacruz.org • Phone: (831) 761-2956
Photos: CASA volunteer Advocates Martin Guerrero, Anne Olson, Patrick Keown, and Becky Emerson at the Pinwheels for Prevention Garden.