According to CASA of West Central Illinois Executive Director Kelly Price, there are currently 425 children in foster care across the five counties the organization serves: Knox, Warren, Henderson, Fulton, and McDonough. Since July, 10 new volunteers have been sworn in by a judge, bringing the total number of children with an advocate to 150. Price explains the process of becoming a volunteer:
“Court Appointed Special Advocates, we recruit and train community volunteers to be the voice for children in foster care in the court system. Our volunteers meet with the children on their case once a month. They are allowed to talk to teachers and doctors and counselors and anybody involved in that child’s circle to get a good idea of what is happening to prepare a report for the juvenile judge, so the judge has a better idea and sense of what is all happening in that child’s life to make better decisions,” says Price.
“We run pre-service training class every month. It is a 30-hour course. You meet once a week via Zoom with our trainer for about an hour. The rest of the course is independent learning online so you can do it on your own time. Then after that, you get sworn in by the juvenile judge and off to the races,” Price adds.
On Wednesday, October 21st, CASA of West Central Illinois is hosting a Music BINGO Fundraiser at Smokin’ Willies BBQ in Galesburg. Doors open at 5:30 pm, with the event starting at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. A table of eight can be reserved for $140.
