By: Press Releases
Contact: Jennifer Henderson, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties (CGS) Program Director
(856) 521-0734
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRIDGETON, N.J. — Community volunteers, with particular emphasis on men and BIPOC, are desperately needed in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties to serve as advocates, ensuring the best interests of abused and neglected children are met. These volunteers complete the necessary 30 hours of pre-service training with CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties (CASA of CGS), are sworn in by one of the Superior Court judges, and then ready to be assigned to their first case. New volunteers will join the growing number of advocates at CASA of CGS who are currently serving over 400 children.
In Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, there were more than 1,400 children who could have been served with an advocate over the last year. It is the goal of CASA to provide an advocate to every single child in the three counties, and with your help, it can be done. CASA volunteers work one-on-one with an abused or neglected child, advocating for his or her best interests. CASA volunteers “speak up” for these children in the court and child welfare systems, making sure they are safe and well-cared for, are receiving the services they need, and are placed in a permanent, safe, nurturing home.
Advocates come from diverse backgrounds and different experiences, all of which are beneficial to the children that are served. There are medical professionals, engineers, stay-at-home mothers, teachers, jet pilots, retirees, and various others who serve and successfully advocate for their CASA children. CASA’s volunteer advocates play a vital role on behalf of children in providing court reports to the judge that include accurate, up-to-date information about the child they serve and his/her situation, and make independent recommendations regarding his/her best interests.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a national nonprofit that trains teams of volunteer advocates to speak up on behalf of abused and neglected children in court. First opening its doors in Cumberland County in 2004, CASA of CGS has since expanded to Gloucester and Salem counties. CASA of CGS hopes to continue growing within their community and serving those most marginalized, and welcomes volunteers to join them in inspiring change and changing a child’s story one day at a time. Training is free and begins on June 8th, and they will accept applications until May 30th. CASA strongly encourages men, Spanish-speakers, and BIPOC in Cumberland and Salem counties to volunteer to help better serve their CASA children.
If you are interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, email Julia Frank at julia@casaofcgs.org. Find more information about CASA of CGS and access a volunteer application on the organization’s website, www.wespeakupforchildren.org. Follow CASA of CGS on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on their latest news.
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