It is safe to say that the past few years spent at Ohio University have given me some of my best memories. However, my senior year internship is proving to be more than memorable; I’m gaining more experience and knowledge than I thought possible. As an intern for Athens Court Appointed Special Advocates/GAL, I believe other students would also appreciate the experience of volunteering with this program.
Athens CASA/GAL Program is composed of men and women who volunteer to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers watch over and become a voice for children who are in the care of Athens County Children Services. Volunteers learn as much as possible about the child by forming a relationship with them and the important adults in their lives. We review case records of the child and their families and are present at all court activities. Volunteers use the information gained to make recommendations to the court and advocate for the child’s best interest.
According to the National CASA Association, children with an assigned CASA volunteer spend, on average, seven and a half fewer months in foster care and are less likely to re-enter foster care than children without a CASA volunteer. Just nine percent of CASA children re-enter the system, compared to 16 percent for children not served by a CASA volunteer.
Athens CASA/GAL currently has 21 dedicated volunteers, but we need more. At this time, the Athens CASA/GAL Program is serving more than 100 children, leaving more than half of these children without their own CASA volunteer. This is a great opportunity for students to take part in, and after all, every child deserves to have someone supporting them.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please join us for an upcoming informational meeting on Oct. 1 and 2 and sign up for Fall/Winter pre-service training! Training involves approximately 32 hours of classroom and independent work, along with court observation. To be sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age by completion of training, must pass a background check and be able to commit to at least one year of service.
Please go to our website at www.athenscasa.org or call 740-592-3255 to learn more about the informational meetings. Make your time at OU valuable, and nothing is more valuable than helping a child. A CASA volunteer is the difference that lifts up a child’s voice and essentially his or her life. Volunteer to be that difference.
Hunter Joseph is a senior studying social work and an intern for Athens CASA/GAL.
