Court-Appointed Special Advocates or CASA of Kent County recruits, trains, and pairs volunteers with children who have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect and placed in foster care.
Executive Director Stephanie Sheler says the need is greater than the professionals can meet.
“Data shows us that there are about 600 children in foster care in Kent County every year, give or take. This past year, CASA was able to provide advocacy for almost 200 of them. So just about a third. That means the other 400 are navigating this system without an advocate.”
CASA seeks volunteers 21 or older, open to learning, and willing to make a long-term commitment.
“This isn't a ‘try it for six months and then change your mind’ sort of opportunity because once you are trained, you are matched with a child and we ask our volunteers to stay with that child or with a sibling group until those kids have a loving, safe, permanent home. “
The next training sessions are on Monday evenings in November.
“The volunteers who are doing this work already say it is meaningful. It is hard. It is emotional. It is touching. It is impactful. And they love it, certainly not because it's easy, but because they know that bit by bit, they are making a difference in someone's life.”
Interested community members can visit CASA’s website to sign up for virtual information sessions, attend in-person mixers, or request a 1-on-1 coffee chat with staff.
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