Help a local child by volunteering with CASA
Upcoming information sessions offered for potential volunteers
Upcoming information sessions offered for potential volunteers–Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County is a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system. They are seeking volunteers to help children whose families are in crisis.
Since CASA of San Luis Obispo County’s (CASA SLO) founding 25 years ago, over 2600 foster children have been served. This success is attributed to the work of volunteer advocates who provide advocacy and mentorship to children during an uncertain time. For these children, their CASA advocate may be the only constant adult figure they encounter for the entirety of their childhoods.
According to CASA SLO Executive Director, Teresa Tardiff, a foster child who has an advocate is substantially less likely to languish in long-term foster care and is less likely to re-enter foster care. One person can make a huge difference.
CASA needs help to continue their mission. Currently, there are 150 active CASA volunteers who serve 190 children in the SLO County. But there are 478 children in the SLO County system, and CASA needs more than 200 volunteers to serve them.
CASA needs volunteers from all areas of the county. Serving these vulnerable children starts with becoming educated. Attend an information session near you:
- Sept. 26 – Morro Bay, Starbucks Lounge Area at Albertsons, 730 Quintana Road at 10 a.m.
- Oct. 10– Nipomo, Starbucks Lounge near Miner’s Ace Hardware, 581 W. Tefft Street at 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 23—San Luis Obispo, SLO CASA office at 75 Higuera Street, Suite 180 at noon.
- Nov. 14 – San Luis Obispo, Starbucks, Marigold Center, 3970 Broad Street at 6:30 p.m.
Information Sessions at the CASA office are held every fourth Tuesday of each month at noon, with the exception of December.
Volunteer information sessions are also held at select Starbucks locations across San Luis Obispo County every second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to apply to be a CASA volunteer advocate, visit https://www.slocasa.org/info-sessions.php. RSVP for a session by emailing staff@slocasa.org.
About CASA of SLO County
Celebrating their 25th anniversary throughout 2018, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of SLO County is a nonprofit organization that has been advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system. CASA of SLO County recruits and trains volunteer advocates who are paired with individual children to learn their situations and stand up for their needs. CASA of SLO County is a local partner of National CASA, which oversees a network of more than 1,050 local community program offices. Since 1993, their mission is to ensure that each and every child grows up in a safe, nurturing and permanent home. For more information, visit www.slocasa.org.
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