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Tennessee Tribune - Take a Stand Against
Child Abuse: CASA Volunteers Help Children in Need

Every year in the U.S., almost a million children are found to be victims of abuse and neglect. In Davidson County alone, over 2000 abused and neglected children come through the justice system each year. While theft, murder, and other crimes may be higher on our radar through nightly news stories, the horrors and damage of child abuse too often remain behind closed doors, leaving the public unaware of the full extent of the problem – or ways to address it.

The consequences of abuse affect everyone, from the victims to their families to the community as a whole. Children who have suffered from abuse or neglect are 53 percent more likely to become juvenile delinquents, 38 percent more likely to be arrested as adults, and 38 percent more likely to become violent criminals, according to the National Institute of Justice. Additionally, the costs associated with child abuse are staggering. The NIJ estimates that child abuse costs our nation approximately $70 billion annually, and this does not begin to address the enormous human toll of violence and maltreatment.

You may be asking – How can we help? What can I do about it? Luckily, the answer is: plenty. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a local organization that provides trained community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who have been abused and neglected. Volunteer CASAs are everyday citizens who come from all walks of life, but they have one unifying goal: to find a safe, permanent home for each child. CASAs get to know the child and important individuals and places in his or her life, such as parents, foster families, teachers, and friends, and they report to the court to advocate for the child’s needs. These special individuals also serve as positive role models for the children they serve, which can make a life-changing impact on a child’s life.

Last year, with 225 volunteers, CASA was able to advocate for over 600 children. However, this falls far short of enabling us to adequately serve the 2000+ children who will come through the court system due to abuse or neglect. This need is further exacerbated by the great demand for more African-American volunteers. Of the nearly 500,000 foster children in the U.S., almost half are African-American, while only 10% of CASA volunteers are African-American. These children are in particular need of dedicated advocates, as statistics show that African-American children stay almost twice as long as Caucasian children in foster care, and they are less likely to receive support services or to be placed in an adoptive home. Additionally, it is important for children going through the system to have an advocate with whom they can culturally identify and who can better communicate their needs.

Becoming a volunteer simply requires the desire to make a difference in a child’s life. Volunteers complete 33 hours of training before receiving a case, and each individual is paired with only one child or one sibling pair at a time. This keeps the workload manageable and allows the volunteer to focus on the case at hand. Volunteers also receive ongoing supervision from our advocate supervisors on staff.

Are you interested in this exciting opportunity to advocate for a child in need? More information and a volunteer application can be found on our website, www.casa-nashville.org, or by calling CASA at 615-425-2383. Interested individuals can also contact volunteer coordinator Cindy Johnson (cindyjohnson@casa-nashville.org) or Jenny Magill (jmagill@casa-nashville.org). Our next training session begins on October 8th. We hope that you will take the time to ask yourself: Are you ready to make a difference? A child is waiting for your answer.

9/27/2007, 9:17 AM