Volunteer Advocates Needed for Abused, Neglected Children in Santa Cruz

From the folks at CASA of Santa Cruz County:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Cruz County seeks adult volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected foster children. 

CASA volunteers are everyday people, trained by CASA and then appointed by judges to advocate for the safety of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect.  Advocates are fully supported by a staff supervisor and are part of a team that works in the best interest of the child. 

CASA volunteers devote two to four hours a week getting to know the child and gathering information from everyone involved in the child’s case.  Advocates stay with each case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. 

For many children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives. 

For many volunteers, CASA is a life-changing experience that brings personal fulfillment, as well as making a positive contribution in our community. 

No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. 

We encourage people from all cultures and professions and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds to learn more. 

Volunteers must attend one information session and complete a pre-training interview in Watsonville before beginning training on May 1. 

Informational sessions are:

• Tuesday, April 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bay Federal Credit Union, located at 3333 Clares St. in Capitola. 

• Wednesday, April 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at CASA, located at 813 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville. 

• Thursday, April 17, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Buttery, located at 702 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz. 

• Friday, April 18, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Surf City Coffee, located at 9105 Soquel Drive in Aptos. 

Contact CASA of Santa Cruz County at 831-761-2956, ext. 102 orcasavolunteer@casaofsantacruz.org

More information is available at www.casaofsantacruz.org.  

You may also RSVP for an information session at www.tinyurl.com/CASAorientation