Six new CASA volunteers take the oath

Six Court Appointed Special Advocates (or CASA volunteers) were sworn in as officers of the court by 4th Judicial District Judge Erin Sokol at the El Paso County Courthouse on Tuesday, April 16.

The swearing-in ceremony was the final step taken after two weeks of training which covered topics like trauma, resiliency, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

The new volunteers will now be assigned to an open Dependency & Neglect case within the 4th Judicial District and will advocate for the best interest of an abused or neglected child.

There are about 800 kids in El Paso and Teller Counties who need a CASA volunteer each year due to abuse or neglect. These are children who are involved in the family court and child welfare systems due to being mistreated by people who are supposed to take care of them.

Last year, CASA of the Pikes Peak Region had 376 volunteers who advocated for 657 children. More volunteers are needed to provide this life-changing advocacy to every child in need.

Anyone who wants to make a difference for a child in this capacity can learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer at one of these Volunteer Information Sessions:

  • Virtual Info Session on Saturday, April 20 from 10-11
  • “Dudes & Brews” Male Volunteer Info Session on Thursday, April 25 from 6-7:30
  • In-person Volunteer Info Session at CASA on Wednesday, May 8 from 12-1

RSVP to any CASA Volunteer Information Session here: www.casappr.org/volunteer.

Congratulations new advocates Lawrence Burke, Susan Moffett-Backman, Daniel Ortiz, Rose Patton, Jonathan Sargent, and Donald Willingham!