Sunday, March 10, 11:15 a.m., Parlor
Would you like to make an impact in a child’s life? Join us on Sunday, March 10, after the worship service to learn what it means to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Stephenie Sheler, Executive Director of CASA of Kent County, will be joined by Westminster members and CASA volunteers Deb Kammer and Jeannine & Ron Lemmon to discuss the important work of CASA and how you can help.
CASA of Kent County empowers community members to advocate for abused and neglected children by being their voice in court. CASA is a lean, effective, “boots on the ground” organization which impacts the most vulnerable members of our community — children who are living in the foster care system and who need a voice. There are currently 23 children in Kent County currently waiting for the advocacy of a CASA.
When a child in Kent County is removed from their home because of abuse or neglect, they enter an overburdened child welfare system. Most often, they live in a foster home or a residential group shelter. The child experiences trauma not only from the abuse or neglect they endured, but also because they are removed from everything and everyone familiar to them. Their family is assigned to a caseworker from a local child welfare agency and to a judge from the 17th Circuit Court Family Division.
In the overburdened and under-resourced child welfare system, most caseworkers support multiple children and families. The CASA volunteer, however, focuses on just one child or sibling group. Children with a CASA receive more services, have fewer foster care placements, perform better in school, and report significantly higher levels of hope. They also reach placement in a safe, permanent home more quickly, most often with their parents.
Please join us in the Parlor on March 10 to learn more about CASA.