CASA

The start of a new journey!

I had never heard of the term CASA prior to this month, but it was an answer to a simple prayer I have had in my heart for a while. I have always had a strong desire in my heart to be involved in the lives of children who have been or are being abused. It wasn't up until this past year that I felt ready. I felt as though I was emotionally grounded and stable enough to start finding away to work with these children. My question was how and where. I started searching and searching, and then searched a little more. I wasn't finding anything that really felt right. It was over Christmas break when I found CASA. I returned to a sight that I had been to several times prior to this. I came across the link to CASA and found the information on what its all about. I got so excited! I contacted the lady and the next day she emailed me back telling me this was the perfect time to get involved because training starts on Thursday. (This was Tuesday.) I love those little moments where you know this isn't just coincidence Gods hand was a part of this! I got Jordan on board with me and we attended our first Training that Thursday. We loved it! Its exactly what I was looking for. I bet you want to know what exactly I will be doing??? Here goes,

After training, which will take us two months, we will be assigned a child/case. A case where the child has or is suffering from some form of abuse. The abuse ranges from physical, sexual, and emotional. You help the Guardian Ad Litem, which is the childs lawyer, to be the eyes and ears for that child. We will attend court with the lawyer and also help them to know what is in the best interest for the child. After building a friendship with the child they will be more likely to tell you if anything is happening to them. Its also important to be able for us to go in the home and make sure all is well there too.  There is so much more to it as well but this is the fundamentals of it. I will be posting more about it as time goes on. My heart is full and I feel beyond blessed to have been given this opportunity! Below is basically the same information that I explained but at the bottom is the contact information For Lori Short. If you are interested in volunteering as a CASA contact her. She is the over the CASA volunteers down here and St. George and she is amazing! I would love to answer any questions you might have regarding the program as well.