Volunteer Opportunity Details:

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) provides trained volunteers who serve as advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned children in court. The children with whom CASA works are victims of child abuse and neglect. Many of them are in foster care. They need a “voice in court” in order to find a safe, permanent home quickly whether that means returning to a parent or being adopted. The CASA/GAL volunteer provides that voice, sharing with the court both what the child wants and a recommendation about what is in that child’s best interest. It is valuable work that requires the commitment of your time, your energy, and your heart.

Your goal as a CASA/GAL volunteer is to remain empathetic to the family while remembering that the child is your focus. It is important to be objective, to remain detached enough to see clearly the child’s and family’s situation and needs. To be successful as a CASA/GAL volunteer, you must care about the families of the children, but you cannot live their lives for them.

CASA volunteers receive thirty hours of initial training, plus twelve additional hours a year in monthly trainings. Volunteers also have ongoing, one-on-one supervision to assist with the technical steps of helping these children. Every volunteer is trained in the special needs of abused and neglected children, courtroom procedures, social services and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). To be a CASA Advocate you must be at least 18 years of age and willing to submit you fingerprints for a standard background check.

This opportunity is sponsored by: CASA-Advocates For Kids

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers Adults (26-54) Individual Adults (55+) Young Adults (18-25) Court-appointed

Contact Person: Liz Costello, (phone), (email) View all agency contacts

Address:

133 Reeder's Alley Helena, MT 59601 (See a map)

Directions:

Take Park Street southward so that the Blackfoot Brewery is on your right hand side. Reeder's Alley will be on your right hand side, with a clearly marked entrance sign.

Web Site: http://www.helenacasa.org

Last updated on August 4, 2009