Opportunity Details... SPEAK UP for a Child in Foster Care!
There are approximately 2,000 children and youth in our city's child welfare system. CASA for Children of DC recruits and trains community volunteers to advocate for children in foster care in the District of Columbia. Our volunteer advocates, CASA's, look out for the best interests of children by researching and gathering relevant information that they present to judges. The information CASAs gather and the recommendations they bring before the court and judge are facts that ordinarily might be overlooked. These recommendations lead to better education outcomes and safe, loving, permanent families.
We work with children and young people between the ages of 0 and 21. Volunteers work with these children through various programs:
1. Family Drug Treatment,
2. Dual Jacket Youth,
3. LGBT Youth, and
4. Preparing Youth for Adulthood.
Each of these programs provides a specialized service helping meet each child's individual need. The Family Drug Treatment is a program where the court appoints a volunteer to assist families as they transition from residential substance abuse treatment into aftercare. The Dual Jacket assigns advocates to work on behalf of youths who are victims of emotional, physical or sexual abuse and have subsequently been arrested for a crime. The LGBT Youth program pairs sexual minority youth with advocates who support them and helps them build a positive identity. Finally, the Preparing Youth for Adulthood is a program of empowerment, where young people are taught to advocate on their own behalf in order to successfully transition to adulthood.
Take the next steps; become a CASA!
Requirements:
* You must be at least 21 years of age;
* Consent to a criminal background check;
* Attend a new volunteer training (30 hours)*;
* Commit to one year of service; and
* Spend 10-15 hours on a case each month.
CASA training starts MARCH 29th! To join this session or to learn more about our program and future trainings, contact Raquel Halsey at 202-887-0007 ext. 101 or via email at rhalsey@casadc.org TODAY.
