4 New Volunteers Sworn in to Advocate for Kids in Foster Care

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Apr 14 2021 5:03 PM

Dothan, Alabama– On the morning of April 14^th, 2021, The Honorable Judge Lori Ingram will officially swear in four new Court Appointed Special Advocates in our first in-person ceremony since returning to the courtroom.

These trained community members, known as CASA volunteers, will work with CASA of the Wiregrass Region to advocate for children and families who are involved in the foster care system.

“We’re so excited to have this new class join our team of  24 volunteers,” said Adelyn Bhuiya, Executive Director of CASA of the Wiregrass Region. “I know that they will do amazing work that will positively impact children and families right here in our community.”

CASA of the Wiregrass Region is committed to safe practices in the midst of COVID-19. The pandemic may have changed the way CASA does business, Bhuiya said, but it has not changed CASA’s commitment to providing a highly trained, passionate volunteer advocate for every child in the Wiregrass.

Tammy Summers, newly trained and sworn-in CASA volunteer, decided to join the CASA movement because she wanted to give back to the children in our community by providing them a voice. Summers and the rest of the new volunteers will soon be assigned to an individual child or sibling group, who they will advocate for in the court system until the closure of their case.

“Even in my training alone, I’ve seen the remarkable positive impact that CASA volunteers can have on the children and families they serve,” said Summers. “I can’t wait to get started on my case!”

CASA volunteers advocate for the child they represent in every facet of their life and make recommendations to the court to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. As a part of their advocacy, they get to know important adults in the life of the child they represent, such as their parents, foster parents, teachers, coaches, doctors, therapists and more.

CASA volunteers work for reunification with the child’s parents as their primary goal whenever it is safe and possible to do so. When reunification is not an option, CASA volunteers advocate for the child to live with another relative, family friend or a loving adoptive family. Whatever the circumstances of the case may be, CASA volunteers work with the child’s DHR caseworker, family and others to build lifelong, committed support systems that will last long after the case is closed.

“There isn’t another volunteer experience that matches what you’ll get with CASA,” said Bhuiya. “There is a human element that drives our volunteers to do their very best on behalf of the children and families we serve.”

Have you been looking for a lasting way to make a positive difference and pay it forward to your community? There’s no better time to become a CASA volunteer. Maybe Judge Ingram’s next volunteer swearing-in ceremony will be yours!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at CASA of the Wiregrass Region, you can visit their website at www.wiregrasscasa.org for more information.  

 

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