Last year nearly 500 children in Essex County spend time in foster care.
They are removed from their home due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, separated from their family, and find themselves in a world filled with professionals they don’t know. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is committed volunteers who work diligently to make sure these children receive the services they need while in foster care.
WHAT A VOLUNTEER DOES:
Being a CASA is a unique volunteer experience, one where you will make a difference in the life of a child. Working one-on-one with children in foster care, you give them a voice. CASA volunteers advocate for a child’s best interest. Volunteers work to collaborate with others involved in the child’s life, conduct an assessment of the child’s needs, make recommendations on the child’s behalf, and provide critical information to the court to assist judges in making timely and informed decisions.
ELIGIBILITY
You do not need any special skills to be a CASA volunteer. You just need desire to help change a child’s story, a valid driver's license, be at least 21, clear a background check, basic computer skills and the ability to communicate orally and in writing. CASA for Children of Essex County provides equal opportunities to all volunteers and volunteer applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.