Welcome nine new Court Appointed Special Advocates

Nine new Court Appointed Special Advocates (or CASA volunteers) were sworn in as officers of the court by Magistrate Pearson on Monday.

Taking an oath before a judge or magistrate is the final step for new CASA volunteers after completing two weeks of training on trauma, resiliency, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and other topics.

The new volunteer advocates will now be assigned to an open Dependency & Neglect case within the 4^th Judicial District and will advocate for the best interest of children who are involved in the family court and child welfare systems because of abuse or neglect.

Congratulations new advocates Kathleen Allen, Meghana Bhatia, Brandon Bundt, Lizeth Garcia Lopez, Patricia Kottaridis, James Mealy, Carmen Vazquez-Guy, Carolyn Walsh, and Nathan Wich.

Anyone who wants to make a difference for a child in this capacity can learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer at one of these upcoming Volunteer Orientations:

• Dudes & Brews Men’s Orientation at Storybook Brewing on June 25 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM
• Virtual Orientation on June 30 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
• In-Person Orientation on July 7 at CASA from 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Learn more and RSVP to an orientation here: www.casappr.org/volunteer.