Volunteer with CASA for kids

What are your thoughts on volunteering, on giving back to your community, on paying it forward? Do you think about it on a regular basis? Is a little voice inside you telling you that you need to help someone to improve their lives?

CASA of Southeast Missouri Inc. (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which provides trained volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children, affords citizens a great opportunity to help a child find a safe, secure permanent home. Children are our future, and foster children need someone with a strong voice to advocate for them when they find themselves in unfortunate circumstances through no fault of their own.

Presently 210 children in the 32nd Judicial Circuit (including Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry Counties) are in foster care. Each of these children would benefit from having a CASA volunteer to speak for them. All CASA services are provided at no charge to the child or family.

Many people are searching for meaningful ways to serve in their communities. If you are one of those people and are interested in assisting a child to have a better life, call the CASA office at 335-1726. Training begins in October, and interviews and screenings are currently being held.

LINDA NASH, executive director,

CASA, Cape Girardeau