After 10 Thursday evenings devoted to learning about how to be a CASA volunteer, Peggy Sass, Cyndi Faunce, Wendy Switzer, Elizabeth Staab, Shelly Walters, and Cassi Evans were sworn in as the latest Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Venango County. The ceremony took place at the courthouse in front of President Judge Oliver Lobaugh, Senior Judge H. William White, and CASA Executive Director Cinnamon Evans.

Due to the increasing number of dependent children in the county court system, CASA will hold another class, this time in five Saturday sessions. The new class dates are September 22 & 29; October 13 & 20; and November 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in our overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it has been closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives. The advocate’s work is reported directly to the judge, so he can make the best-informed decision possible for the welfare of each child. Additionally, other benefits come from a CASA being in a child’s life. Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care, less likely to reenter care, and they get better grades in school.

Every child has a chance. Please visit the CASA website at www.casaofvenangocounty.org and click on the volunteer tab for more information and an online application, or call 670-0550 to speak with Cinnamon or Shelly. Join the CASA movement and be for the child!

Photo Credit: The Derrick. & The News-Herald

This article was published in the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce’s July 2018 edition of the VenangoWorks! Newsletter.