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Lincoln, IL – The first Court Appointed Special
Advocate (CASA) volunteers of Logan County were sworn in by Judge
Jonathan Wright of the 11th Judicial Circuit earlier today. Melissa
Smith and Warren Smith, of Atlanta IL, will be the first volunteers
to advocate for children in Logan County.
The CASA Swearing In Ceremony took place at the Logan County
Courthouse in Lincoln. Melissa and Warren took their oaths with
Judge Wright, which includes a promise to “protect and promote the
best interest” of the children they go on to serve.
CASA of McLean and Logan Counties announced that the program
expanded into Logan County earlier this year, and the organization
is celebrating its 30th anniversary of serving families in McLean
County. CASA is a nationwide organization dedicated to promoting and
protecting the best interests of children who have been abused or
neglected by providing well-trained volunteers to advocate for
children and their families through a trauma-focused lens until a
safe and permanent home is secured.
“This ceremony marks a significant milestone in our program’s
expansion, and our mission to advocate for children who have
experienced abuse and neglect,” said Mary Pat Frugo-Anderson,
Director of CASA of McLean and Logan Counties. “We look forward to
training more people like Melissa and Warren who are committed to
making an impact on children and families within our community” she
continued.
MORE ABOUT CASA – CASA of McLean and Logan
Counties offers a variety of in-person and online training
modalities that give volunteers a thorough educational and hands-on
experiences before a volunteer begins their case.
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Warren Smith and Melissa Smith were sworn in by Judge Jonathan
Wright as Logan County's first Court Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA) volunteers. Photo provided by Paige Malloy
Once trained, CASAs are sworn by the court and serve
on a volunteer basis; serving as an advocate involves regularly
meeting with the child, conducting interviews with adults involved
in a child’s life, drafting court reports on the family’s progress,
and creating recommendations that are in the best interest of the
child.
Serving as a CASA is a long-term
commitment to serving one child at a time, as CASAs are expected
to advocate for the child until a permanent home is located.
CONTACT – If you have questions or you are
interested in volunteering with CASA of McLean and Logan Counties,
please contact the Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer, Paige Malloy, at
309-434-5853 or email paige.malloy@mcleancountyil.gov. To apply to
be a CASA volunteer, please check out
our website.
[Text received from Paige Malloy] |
