Foster Children Need Your Help this Summer
Lubbock, Texas –The end of the school year and the start of summer vacation is just around the corner. This doesn’t mean that the problem of child abuse and neglect takes the summer off. Last year, almost 1,600 children entered into the foster care system in the areas served by CASA of the South Plains. CASA Volunteers are still desperately needed to serve as Advocates for children caught up in the whirlwind of change they face during their time in foster care. A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate is a volunteer who helps a foster child navigate the child welfare system and ensure their needs are being met while working to help find a safe, permanent home. CASA needs the public's help to meet its goal of 25 new CASA volunteers for its June training class, which would potentially help an additional 50 foster children in our community.
Prospective volunteers are urged to attend the upcoming CASA 101 informational session hosted by CASA of the South Plains on Thursday, May 17th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CASA office in the Reagor Dykes Headquarters building at 1215 Avenue J in the second floor conference room. This is a great, no-obligation introduction to CASA and its mission. CASA staff and current Advocates will be on hand to discuss the increasing need for volunteers, what it means to be a CASA, and how community members can help make a difference in the lives of area foster children.
CASA 101 attendees interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can also begin the application and sign-up process. Training classes can fill up quickly and space is limited.
To attend, please register at www.casaofthesouthplains.org or contact Kristen Mata, Recruitment Director, by Wednesday, May 16th at (806) 763-2272 or via email at kristenm@casaofthesouthplains.org.
About CASA of the South Plains
CASA of the South Plains empowers community members to serve as volunteer Advocates that speak for the well-being of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Court Appointed Special Advocates are community members just like you who ensure each foster child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system while working to find safe, permanent homes for these most vulnerable children.
CASA’s Impact
622 foster youth received advocacy services from CASA of the South Plains in 2017.
288 CASA volunteers donated a total of 8,235 hours in 2017, saving county taxpayers $452,925 in county paid attorneys’ fees.
235 foster youth found permanency with the help of their CASA volunteer in 2017.