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166 people are interested
You Can Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
ORGANIZATION: Child Advocates - Denver CASA
Please visit the new page to apply.
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166 people are interested
** Next training is half-online and begins Thursday, May 15th at 6 pm! Registration ends 4/27/15** CASA is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child’s right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and respect, and to learn and grow in the security of a loving family. Right now in this country, nearly 425,000 children are separated from their families due to abuse and neglect. 1,100 children pass through the child welfare system in Denver County in any given year. It is a system of well-intentioned people trying their best to place children in what is hoped will be better circumstances. But it is, after all, just a system - and an overtaxed one at that. Too often a child can be placed in a different home from his sisters or brothers. Too often a single child can move to three or five or 15 foster homes in merely a matter of a year or two. Too often a child can languish for years without finding a stable home, only to ultimately "age out" of the system. Our solution to such injustice begins with a single volunteer. It begins with you. More than a mentor or a special buddy. This volunteer is a Court Appointed Special Advocate, a "CASA volunteer." Someone specially trained to know what is in a child’s best interest, and how to get those interests met by the system. Who knows how to help a child through this time of great vulnerability. A deeply committed adult. A person who will fight for this child, against all odds, against power, against bureaucracy and shortsighted agendas. Fight until that child understands that he has a right to believe in himself. Fight, until she can understand and advocate for her own inalienable rights. To live a life of destiny, rather than fate. For a short video about CASA, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fdn391-to4
1 More opportunity with Child Advocates - Denver CASA
Opportunities
About Child Advocates - Denver CASA
Location:
1325 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite B402, Denver, CO 80222, US
Mission Statement
Child Advocates - Denver CASA advocates for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect by training diverse volunteers who create opportunities for children, youth and families to thrive.
Description
The idea of a Court Appointed Special Advocate was originally started by Seattle Judge David W. Soukup in Seattle, Washington in 1977 who felt that children needed more support as they moved through the dependency and neglect system. As a judge, he did not think he had enough information to make decisions about the fate of children in dependency and neglect cases. He came up with the idea that a trained volunteer could speak up on behalf of children who had experienced abuse and neglect.
Since then, this idea of a CASA has expanded into 49 states, including the National CASA Association, located in Seattle. In 1995, Child Advocates - Denver CASA was founded. For over 25 years, Denver CASA has recruited and trained volunteers to serve in the 2nd Judicial District of Denver advocating for children and providing a stable, caring adult to help children through a difficult time.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
1420 Ogden St, Suite A1Denver, CO 80218
DATE POSTED
May 26, 2015
SKILLS
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- 10-15 hours/month
- 18 month commitment