15 new CASA volunteers took the oath in court on Monday

Colorado Springs, Colo. (December 12, 2022) – Nine new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) and six new Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time (SEPT) facilitators were sworn in as officers of the court at CASA of the Pikes Peak Region’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

The ceremony took place at the El Paso County Courthouse and was presided over by Fourth Judicial District Judge William Bain. It was the final step taken by these community volunteers after weeks of training which covered topics like trauma, resiliency, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence, and the role of the CASA volunteer.

Now, each new advocate will be appointed to an open Dependency & Neglect case by a judge so that they may speak up for a child and ensure that child’s best interest remains front and center during court proceedings. The new SEPT facilitators will now facilitate court-ordered supervised parenting time for children and their non-custodial parents in the CASA Family Center.

Congratulations new Advocates Jonathan Allamani, Stephen Crane, Robert Dalzell, Hope Ellerbusch, Rachael Felice-Esser,  Rebecca Leveille, James Malone, Margie Roesner, and Kathryn Thierry; and congratulations new SEPT Facilitators Sophia Assal, Tamara Bell, Barbara Hamdeed, Emma Jones, Akiesha Joseph, and Tracy Taves!

CASA continues to seek new volunteers to support children in El Paso and Teller counties who are involved in the child welfare system due to abuse, neglect, or severe domestic conflict.

Community members who are interested in volunteering with CASA should attend the next Volunteer Information Session this Thursday, Dec. 15 from 12-1 at the CASA office. RSVP here: www.casappr.org/volunteer.