CASA seeks volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Camden County to hold spring training Feb. 28 to March 28

There are currently more than 1,500 children in Camden County who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Although Court Appointed Special Advocates continues to serve more of these children each year, the need for CASA volunteers continues to grow as more children enter the child welfare and court systems.

CASA volunteers work one-on-one with an abused or neglected child, advocating for his or her best interests. Essentially, CASA volunteers “speak up” for these children in the court and child welfare systems, making sure they are safe and well-cared for, are getting the services they need, and are placed in a permanent, safe, nurturing home as quickly as possible.

“Our volunteers don’t require any specific education. All they need is compassion, objectivity, and a commitment to children. We’ll train and supervise them to be effective voices in court,” says Jonathan Cummings, executive director for CASA of Camden County. “Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and diverse socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. They are ordinary individuals who rise to the extraordinary by making a difference in the life of a child.”

CASA of Camden County is currently seeking volunteers for its Spring Training Class slated to begin on Feb. 28 and will be held every Tuesday evening until March 28. Independent modules are also offered to those who cannot attend the traditional training class.

Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities or to learn more about CASA should visit www.casaofcamdencounty.org or contact B. Lauren Williams at (856) 361–7180 or [email protected].