Children's Issues / Communities

12 Local Residents Sworn-In as Volunteers with CASA Youth Advocates, Inc. to Advocate for Children in Delaware and Chester Counties’ Dependency Court Systems

- by Kathryn Kring-Schreifels
12 Local Residents Sworn-In as Volunteers with CASA Youth Advocates, Inc. to Advocate for Children in Delaware and Chester Counties' Dependency Court SystemsPictured L to R from top to bottom: Lauren Turton, Amanda Backenstose, Georgia Charleston, Stacey Simpson, Claudia McBride, Barbara DiMartini, Delaware County Dependency Court Judge Richard Lowe, Ashley Flood, Katie Marge, Chris Kelly, Rochelle Thomas, Angela Wagner; NOT PICTURED: Sara Wolfgang

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 on June 4 to welcome 12 new volunteers.

The ceremony was administered by Delaware County Dependency Court Judge Richard Lowe. This was the first class of new volunteers that was recruited, interviewed and screened, trained, and sworn-in completely virtually.

New volunteers include:

  • Amanda Backenstose of Exton, PA
  • Georgia Charleston of Pottstown, PA
  • Barbara DiMartini of Downingtown, PA
  • Ashley Flood of Wyncote, PA
  • Chris Kelly of Havertown, PA
  • Katie Marge of West Chester, PA
  • Claudia McBride of Wayne, PA
  • Stacey Simpson of Kennett Square, PA
  • Rochelle Thomas of Malvern, PA
  • Lauren Turton of Media, PA
  • Angela Wagner of Lincoln University, PA
  • Sara Wolfgang of Morgantown, PA

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 with the increase in child welfare cases due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Their next info session will be held virtually on Thursday, June 25 at 12 p.m. 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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