CASA for Children, a volunteer based nonprofit organization that helps to provide a voice for abused and neglected children, is seeking new volunteers to help serve as advocates for children throughout the four counties served by the program: Muskogee, Wagoner, Sequoyah, and McIntosh.

CASA volunteers are a diverse group that come from all walks of life, educational backgrounds, and careers. They are specially trained and appointed by a judge to speak for children both in and out of the courtroom. No special training or education is required.

“CASA volunteers sometimes serve as the only consistent connection for children living in the foster care system,” Suzanne Hughes, Executive Director at CASA for Children, said. “Even if they are removed from their school, their friends, or their family their CASA volunteer does not change, giving them the support and consistency they need during a very difficult time in their lives.”

“It is our goal to have a volunteer advocate for every abused or neglected child in our community,” Hughes said. “In order for that to happen we need more volunteers.”

CASA volunteers need to be able to commit to volunteer between 10-12 hours each month, be 21 years of age or older, have good communication skills, be objective, and be able to pass a criminal and child welfare background screening. Most importantly, volunteers must have a heart for helping children.

Individuals interested in volunteering can contact Jenny Crosby at 918-686-8199 or via email at jenny@casaok. org. Those interested in learning more about the CASA program and the impact CASA volunteers are having in the community can visit the CASA for Children website at www.casaok.org.