Become a CASA Volunteer -(Court Appointed Special Advocate)

Save to Favorites

Court Appointed Special Advocates "CASAs" are volunteers advocating for children and youth who have been victims of abuse and neglect in their homes because their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them and for no fault of their own, they become dependents of the Child Welfare System. Imagine that you've been removed from your parents' custody - not because of something you've done, but because of something terrible - an alcoholic mother who can't put food on the table for a couple of days, or a father whose threats have turned into punching. You are now involved in an intimidating court system full of strange people. There is no one to give you the love, support and direction you need and you feel very lonely and scared. Now you will no longer have the support of an adult to help you navigate and overcome life's challenges. If you are like many children in this situation, you will probably give up. You are also very likely to get in trouble for the lack of a consistent adult presence in your life.

This is where CASA comes in! A CASA volunteer is a member of the community, just like you, who spends time with children, monitor needed services, and provide child-focused recommendations to the court based on the children’s best interests. The CASA volunteer serves as the "eyes and ears" of the judge for children in foster care and are instrumental in supporting the Juvenile Court in making the best recommendations to improve the lives of children and youth people in foster care. The Court and the Judges make very important decisions with the help from the different professionals who work with the child including the CASA volunteers. In this way, volunteers ensure that children do not get lost in the overloaded legal system or end up being placed in inappropriate foster homes.

Hundreds of children and youth cases are filed in Juvenile Court each year and currently 93 children and youth are waiting for a CASA volunteer to speak up for them in the courtroom, classroom and community. CASA is appealing to Sonoma County residents to volunteer.

If you think you can commit to 2 hours a week for advocacy, friendship and emotional support to a child or youth in foster care, WE NEED YOU! Being a CASA can be very gratifying. A CASA is a powerful voice in a child’s life. Become a CASA Volunteer Today!

Our Spring Volunteer Training is scheduled for April 17-April 28 and it will be hybrid model. For more specific dates/times and more information or to sign up for the CASA training, contact Heloisa Heinen at 707-565-6375 or info@sonomacasa.org.