You don’t have to be a superhero to help a kid in foster care.

With just a few hours a week you can make a difference for a child in foster care right here in your community.

CASA volunteer Advocates 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 are fully supported by a staff supervisor and are part of a team that works in the best interests of the child.

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.

Volunteers must attend one information session and complete a pre-training interview before beginning the 35-hour training beginning on May 12.

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.

Upcoming Informational sessions are:

• Tuesday, April 14, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Zizzo’s Coffee, located at 3555 Clares St., Ste. PP in the Brown Ranch Shopping Center, Capitola
• Wednesday, April 15, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at CASA, located at 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville
• Thursday, April 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. at The Buttery, located at 702 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz
• Friday, April 17, from 12 to 1 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, located at 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos

RSVP for an information session at www.tinyurl.com/CASAorientation