New Court Appointed Special Advocates ready to speak up for kids

Fourteen new Court Appointed Special Advocates (or CASA volunteers) were sworn in as officers of the court by Judge Helton at the El Paso County Courthouse on Monday.

Congratulations to all the new advocates!

From Top Left to Bottom Right: Eric Krepps, Sarah McBride, Katia Pacheco, Tony Pitts, Laurie Pollock, Chelsea Reynolds, Robert Whited, Brenna Deighton, Angela Hudson, Sharon Harnisch, Laurel Cotton, Holly Bombria, Sabrina  Baker, Jose Luis Andrade,

Taking the oath 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 volunteers will now be assigned to an open Dependency & Neglect case within the 4th Judicial District and will advocate for the best interest of an abused or neglected child.

There are about 800 kids in El Paso and Teller Counties who need a CASA volunteer each year due to abuse or neglect. These are children who are involved in the family court and child welfare systems due to being mistreated by people who are supposed to take care of them.

Last year, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region had 353 volunteers who advocated for 572 children. More volunteers are needed to provide this life-changing advocacy to every child in need.

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

  • October 18 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM Virtual Volunteer Orientation
  • October 23 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM In-Person Volunteer Orientation
  • October 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM Virtual Volunteer Orientation
  • November 13 from 5:30 – 7:30 “Dudes & Brews” at Trinity Brewing

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