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 yesterday to welcome 12 new volunteers. The ceremony was administered by Delaware County Dependency Court Judge Rick Lowe. This is the third virtual swearing-in ceremony CASA has held since the pandemic began.
New volunteers include:
- Jenn Asplundh of Bryn Athyn
- Pam Beiler of North Coventry Township
- Shellee Buchanan of Media
- Lauren Stevens Dambly of Media
- Mitch Gore of Glenmoore
- Amy Hoplamazian of West Chester
- Lisa Mackell of Newtown Square
- Lorraine McClain of West Chester
- Angela Morris of Darby
- Yasemin Simsek of Chester
- Joy Warner of Pottstown
- Charmaine Waters of Sharon Hill
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. 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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