CASA of NELA Informational Mtg. and Training Classes

Union/Lincoln - CASA of Northeast Louisiana will hold a informational session at the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce located at 2111 North Trenton Street, Ruston, LA. The come and go session will offer interested community members an opportunity to come by and explore the CASA Program without making any sort of commitment. The session will be held Wednesday, March 11 from 2:30 til 3:30. Light refreshments will be served. This will be a time to visit with CASA team members and volunteers to gain an insight to this growing program. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. CASA will be holding a new volunteer training class beginning March 26th to ready volunteers to serve the local children currently in need of an advocate. CASA volunteer training consists of five, three and a half hour classes spread out over five weeks. No previous experience is required to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate. By volunteering for just 5-10 hours per month, Advocates can make a lifelong difference for a local child. The goal of CASA is that each child served will find a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. Too often, children languish for years in the foster care system, with no hope of finding a permanent home or having a normal childhood. Studies have shown that when a CASA is involved, a child’s chances of finding a permanent home are doubled. The role of a CASA is to act as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the Judge, collecting information through observation and interviews with key players in the child’s life and then reporting back to the judge. To become a CASA, you must be at least 21 years old and pass a federal background check. If you are interested in becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, please call our office at 318-3980945 or visit us at www.casaofnela.org.