May is foster care awareness month.
Court Appointed Special Advocates Work to Ensure children in foster care are supported:
CASA Volunteers Needed Now More than Ever
Benton Harbor, MI –May 16, 2022 – Child abuse and neglect is likely on the rise in the aftermath of the ongoing pandemic, as families are put under more financial and emotional stress. One group of volunteers in Berrien County is working hard to ensure that abuse and neglect do not go unnoticed.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s) are community members who volunteer with CASA of Southwest Michigan. They work with children in the child welfare system who have already experienced abuse or neglect. They meet with children in person at least monthly (often weekly), and provide information to judges that helps them make the most well-informed decisions about each child.
In 2021 our 56 volunteers spent over 3800 hours advocating for 114 children experiencing foster care in our community.
“Many don’t realize that when a child is placed in foster care they enter a complicated and confusing time in their lives, a time filled with almost constant change. Our exceptional volunteers walk beside them, learn everything about them and make sure they are receiving the supports they need to thrive. They provide this vital information, along with their recommendations, to the court so that court can make the most informed decisions for that child. We’re there for them.” said Jamie Brooks, CASA of Southwest Michigan Executive Director.
“We need volunteers now more than ever, and are encouraging all community members to join with us either by volunteering. We will be offering virtual CASA training to begin in June and volunteers will be able to begin advocating soon thereafter.”
To Volunteer or donate to CASA please contact Jamie Brooks, Jamie@casaswmi.org or visit our website: www.CASAswmi.org
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About CASA of Southwest Michigan: CASA of Southwest Michigan operates in Berrien and St. Joseph (MI) County. The program has operated in Berrien County since 2016 with over 56 highly trained community volunteers serving 114 children. The program is fully accredited by the National CASA Association and the Michigan CASA Association. Currently, CASA has 28 programs in Michigan and over 950 nationwide.
