Nine New CASA Volunteers Will Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children in Central Kentucky
Friends and family members filled the room at CASA of Lexington on Oct. 14, as family court Judge Joe Fooks swore in nine people from communities in and around Lexington as the area’s newest CASA volunteers.
Fooks told the newly trained volunteers that he and the other family court judges rely on regular people like them to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children.
“It sure is nice to have that additional information so we can help a child be more successful and have a more fulfilled, happier life,” Fooks said.
CASA volunteers give 5-10 hours per month to advocate for children in the family court system. Each volunteer is matched to a child, visits the child regularly, gathers information and then provides what they’ve learned back to the judge.
Fooks said CASA volunteers are great at identifying the little things that make a big difference — like noticing when a child who is struggling in school just needs new glasses so they can read.
The nine newly sworn CASA volunteers will now be matched to children who need advocates. Over the next 12 months, they may help more than 20 children.
Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington, said she was glad to see so many friends and family of the new volunteers in attendance, showing support for their commitment to help kids in need.
Jamison said more people with a heart for helping kids are needed.
“Even though we serve just shy of 700 children a year, that’s not meeting even 25 percent of the need,” Jamison said. “We think every child deserves a safe and permanent home. And CASA volunteers can help ensure that happens.”
The nine new CASA of Lexington volunteers are: Jim Bensing, Hannah Casey, Nolan Lok, Taylor Rode, Mira Talwalkar, Kimberly Vargas, Becky Warren, Jack Watts and Izzy Scholes-Young.
To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer or supporting CASA of Lexington’s mission, visit www.casaoflexington.org.
