MEDIA, PA — CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., an organization that works to ensure children in Delaware and Chester counties’ child welfare systems live well, achieve academic excellence, and experience the joys of childhood by providing them with trained volunteer advocates who speak for their best interests, held a virtual swearing-in ceremony last week to welcome seven new volunteers. The ceremony was administered by The Honorable Analisa Sondergaard of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.
New volunteers include:
- Paulina Anderson-Dinitz of Media
- Bernice Gallagher of Chester Springs
- Valerie Haber of Rutledge
- Charlene Mathis of Wayne
- Fran Ryan of West Chester
- Maria Siegert of Philadelphia
- Mike Young of Broomall
CASA volunteers complete 35 hours of training over the course of two to three weeks. After taking an oath, they become eligible to review and monitor the case of a child or youth experiencing abuse or neglect.
Volunteers are assigned to a child to walk alongside, with the responsibility of helping build trust, investigate his or her case, observe, analyze, and advocate for what is best through written reports and verbal recommendations to the judge – a rewarding experience for both the child and volunteer.
CASA is actively seeking new volunteers in anticipation of a potential increase in child welfare cases due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Their next info session will be held virtually on Thursday, May 28 at 5:30 pm.
To register and for more information about becoming a volunteer with CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., please visit https://delcocasa.org/volunteer/volunteer-information-session-registration.
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