A New Beginning!

In Virginia, there are over to 6,000 children currently in foster care. There is an urgent need in our community for many more caring adults like you, to come forward and help these vulnerable children find a safe, permanent home. As a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), you will essentially impact our children in a very valuable way.

Imagine the experience of children who are removed from their homes because the people who should have protected them cannot or will not do so. These children find themselves in a world filled with social workers, lawyers, judges, and courtrooms where life-altering decisions are made on their behalf, while they remain voiceless. A CASA volunteer is a court appointed, trained and committed adult who stands by their side, watches over their case and advocates for their best interest.

A CASA volunteer ensures that these children remain a priority in an overburdened legal and social service system. You may be the only guiding presence involved from beginning to end during a child’s case. For these children, you will be the difference between instability and permanence, insecurity and learning to trust, invisibility and being made a priority.

As a CASA volunteer you commit to one or two specific cases for at least a year. You research the case, talk with everyone involved and build a trusting relationship with your child or children. You will prepare reports to the court based on what is best for the child, helping the judge make the most informed decision possible; you will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the court. The scheduling of your activities is flexible, and you will be paired with a staff professional who supports and guides you every single step of the way.

If you are interested in taking on a unique and meaningful role as a volunteer, please consider training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. To learn more about volunteering with CASA, please visit our website www.nncasa.org, contact our Training Coordinator, Amia Barrows at (757) 926-8791 or via email to abarrows@nngov.com.