The Importance of Advocacy: You Can Change a Child’s Story
When you look up the word advocacy, you can find an abundance of definitions, including the “public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy”. However, Webster’s Dictionary says that advocacy is “the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.” The act of supporting a child is what CASA does on a daily basis. By supporting and advocating for a child you can change their story and potentially the rest of their life. Giving a child hope and support will boost their confidence and show them that they are loved and important. What is a CASA? ...
What Does Being a CASA Mean to You? Hear from Volunteers.
What It Means to be a CASA If you are looking for a meaningful and impactful way of giving back to your community, there is no better organization to volunteer with than Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). As a CASA volunteer, you’ll become an important representative for children who otherwise might have a voice in court. Your volunteering can make a difference in a child’s life by bringing them hope and consistency in a world that often does not. CASA volunteers are members of the community who give their time and energy to advocate for abused and neglected ...
Volunteering with Kids Aging Out of Foster Care
Volunteering with kids aging out of foster care makes a difference. According to a report done by the Child Welfare Information Gateway, as of September 30, 2019, there were 423,997 children in foster care in the United States. Children are placed in foster care as a temporary measure, when this is seen as the safest and best solution for the child at the time. However, once children age out of foster care at 18, they often make an abrupt transition. They go from being a dependent to being a full-fledged adult with housing, employment, health insurance, clothing, food, and more ...
Marie’s Story: How Her CASA Volunteer Inspired Her
In a recent training for new CASA volunteers, ‘Marie’ shared that her personal experience with her own CASA when she was a child, is what motivated her to become a CASA now. Growing Up with a CASA - Marie's Story For Marie, growing up included living with adverse experiences, court proceedings, and a lot of uncertainty. To help her through this difficult time, Marie was assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to advocate for her best interest and ensure she ended up with the best possible outcome. As Marie’s case moved through the court system, her CASA was ...
Budget-Friendly Ways to Entertain Kids in Monroe County
There are plenty of budget friendly ways to entertain kids in Monroe County. Whether you are a resident of Bloomington, Ellettsville, or Stinesville, or you are visiting from out of town, Monroe County CASA wants to share a few options that won’t break the bank. Outdoor Activities Looking to get the kids out of the house and away from the electronics? Entertain kids in Monroe County by exploring the wide array of free, family-friendly outdoor parks that the area has to offer. The perfect place to start your outdoor adventure is at Switchyard Park in Bloomington. Located right on the ...
Is Becoming a CASA Volunteer Right for You?
It is important to find the right volunteer opportunity that fits your lifestyle and is also meaningful. At the same time, you want to ensure that the experience is impactful and rewarding for everyone involved. Read below to find out if volunteering with CASA is right for you! What is a CASA? A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a community volunteer who is professionally trained to gather information about the child and his/her family and identify needs and possible services. The volunteer also will speak on behalf of the child in court and monitor court orders and case ...
What to Do If You Suspect a Child is Being Abused or Neglected
The 2019 report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that Indiana has the second-highest child abuse rate in the nation. The National CASA program states that in 2017, 9 out of every 1,000 U.S. children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Physical abuse and neglect are two of several highly stressful, potentially traumatic experiences known as “adverse childhood experiences,” or ACEs. Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are far more likely to have experienced a large number of ACEs. Having a stable relationship with a supportive adult, such as ...
CASA Needs Diverse Volunteers to Better Advocate for Children
Monroe County CASA Monroe County CASA is a volunteer-powered program that provides representation in juvenile court for child victims of abuse and neglect. The program needs more diverse volunteers to better help more children. CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises adult community members who volunteer their time to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). CASAs have full legal authority set forth by the State of Indiana. CASAs provide advocacy to child victims to ensure that they remain at the forefront of the court proceedings and find a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. Child Abuse Amongst Different Groups ...
Make a Difference in Monroe County Through Volunteering
Become a Monroe County Volunteer One of the best ways to support the local community is through volunteering. The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network has compiled a list of volunteer opportunities in our community. Sign up with CASA or join groups like Bloomington Pride, Boys and Girls Club, or Big Brothers Big Sisters. You can also apply to be a part of the Commission on Status of Children and Youth or the Commission on the Status of Black Males. These commissions also have an impact on the children in our community. There are hundreds of valuable and necessary local volunteer ...
Why Racial and Cultural Representation Matters
Representation is important when looking at the impact it has on the lives of children as they grow. If there is a lack of representation, how will that affect the lives of these young children? Lack of Racial and Cultural Representation Effects Children for Life Identity Development Issues As children grow and develop their identity is shaped by observing those around them. When children do not see people around them with whom they share similarities such as religion, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and culture, they are more likely to have a harder time developing their sense of identity. Poor Self-Esteem Not ...