CASA seeking volunteers with ‘heart for children’
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
KINGSLAND — You’ve probably seen photos of them in the paper. They’re standing, often smiling, looking as if they’re ready to do something great.
Maybe you’ve even wondered what these people — identified as CASAs — are doing? Well, you have a couple of great chances to find out and even get involved and make a difference in the lives of children — just like them.
“They” are court-appointed special advocates for CASA for the Highland Lakes Area.
“CASAs act as guardian ad litem for the children,” said Galyn Woerner of CASA for the Highland Lakes Area. “CASAs act as the eyes and the ears of the court. They write reports for the court and tell the court what’s in the best interest of the children.”
An advocate becomes involved after Child Protective Services removes a child from a home because of abuse or neglect. As the case works its way through the court and officials aim for family reunification or termination, the appointed volunteer advocates for the child. Often, the volunteer is the only constant in the child’s life during the process.
But it takes volunteers to make it happen, Woerner said.
CASA of the Highland Lakes Area is holding a training program starting the week of April 6 at its office, 1719 Ridgeview in Kingsland. The five-week training is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. During that time, volunteers will learn how to advocate for children. When they complete the training, the volunteers will get cases — and support.
“We don’t just toss them out there and let them go,” Woerner said of the CASA volunteers. “Each has a case supervisor that works with them and helps them. And there’s just a lot of support among the CASA volunteers as well. While the training is very expansive, they can’t learn everything they need to know because each case is different. But the training does get them ready.”
Woerner said volunteers must be at least 21 years old and possess one important quality.
“They must have a heart for children,” she said. “Everything else, we can give them.”
If you want to find out more, the Highland Lakes office is hosting an open house called CASA and Chocolate from 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 31.
“This would be a great chance for anybody interested in becoming a CASA volunteer to come and learn more or just see what it is we do,” Woerner added. “The staff will be there, and many of the CASA child advocates will be attending. So you can come and ask questions and just learn what it is we do.”
While CASA advocates are a big part of the program, it’s not the only volunteer opportunity. CASA for the Highland Lakes Area has many needs as it serves children in Burnet, Llano, Blanco, Lampasas and San Saba counties. The organization is currently serving 184 children from those counties with 75 active volunteers. But they could always use more volunteers and supporters.
And all it takes to get started, as Woerner pointed out, is a heart for kids.
Contact Woerner at (325) 388-3440 or galyn@highlandlakescasa.com or go to highlandlakescasa.com for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com