By Staff
One group of volunteers who perform a very needed task are the Cass County CASAs.
The Court Appointed Special Advocates speak for children, some of whom have been abused and neglected by those who should be the ones protecting them.
Cass County CASA is again hosting cookouts as one of the primary fund-raising events this year. The third annual CASA Cookouts will take place this weekend at locations at Birch Lake on Aug. 17, at Magician Lake on Aug. 18 and at Diamond Lake on Aug. 19.
Grill masters will be plying their craft and, new this year, live music will be provided by Gene Halton.
Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) was started by the Honorable Susan Dobrich of the Cass Family Court in 1995. The judge realized that children who had been removed from their homes needed a supportive adult in their lives and an advocate in court. Many children have come to the attention of the Department of Human Services and the court through concerned teachers, school personnel and law enforcement.
There are over 150 children in Cass County who are in foster care due to abuse and neglect in their own homes. CASA volunteers spend time visiting with the child or the children in a family, investigating compliance of parents and service providers to determine whether the orders of the Family Court are being followed, and report to the court on a regular basis. A CASA volunteer is the voice of a child in court.
It is the goal of CASA volunteers to assist the court in finding a permanent, safe and secure family for their CASA child whether that is the return of the child to their original family or adoption.
Our volunteers are an amazing force for good, and we need more of them. Our vision is that every child who needs a volunteer will have one. With your help, CASA can reach that goal here in Cass County.
If you are interested in attending one of these cookouts and have not received an invitation, please contact Lisa Schmidt at (269) 445-4431. If you are unable to attend, your donation will still be appreciated.