Make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child
Most importantly, you must love children with a passion and desire to help these children who cannot help themselves.
The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something
Southeastern Indiana Voices for Children, Inc. is helping to make a difference through the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer program. These volunteers are recruited and trained to advocate for children’s best interests inside and outside the courtroom. They work with attorneys, mental health professionals, and service providers to meet the needs of these children and help them find safe permanent homes.
There is a great need for more volunteers in our area, as you can imagine. To qualify as a CASA/GAL volunteer, you must be 21 years of age, a mature adult, have reliable transportation, and submit to a background check.
Most importantly, you must love children with a passion and desire to help these children who cannot help themselves.
Each year in Ripley county, nearly 100 abused and neglected children face the future without a home to call their own. These children are often placed in foster care, whether it is with a foster family or a group home placement. However, many child victims are left in their homes where the abuse occurred. These children have done nothing wrong but are simply victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. As reports of abuse and neglect crowd court dockets, more and more children are navigating this confusing system maze. In Indiana, the statistics show that incidents of child abuse have increased each year consistently for the past three years.
I have had the privilege to serve as a board member over the last several years. It has been eye opening to witness the need within our community. I am honored to support Voices for Children as they care for these children by working to provide a stable network of support and advocacy that they may not otherwise have access to.
The Voices for Children organization has helped a countless number of children in our community over the years. It is an honor to be part of an organization that is extremely passionate about carrying out their mission each and every day!
When I first joined Voices for Children as a child advocate, I had the opportunity to see first hand the impact our organization had on the children we serve. I started to help kids, I stay because we are making a difference!
As a board member, I am honored to play a small role in supporting an organization such as Voices for Children. The role of a CASA is vital to ensuring that the child's best interest is at heart, and that they are given the necessary resources and support. I look forward to supporting this mission for many years to come!