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Seventeen everyday people became exceptionally special to abused and neglected children on May 16, when they took an oath to serve as  Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). They swore to be an effective voice for children in foster care and to give them a say on what happens with their life. The volunteers successfully completed training so they would have the skills needed to speak up for foster kids. The CASA volunteers serve a very important role to provide information to judges in court on abuse and neglect cases.

The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually. The advocates represent the children in school, family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them. In 1980, Judge John Mendoza led the creation of the Clark County CASA Program. The CASA mission continues to be fully supported by Family Court judges.

For those interested in volunteering with CASA, monthly orientations are held on the third Wednesday of each month to provide more information about the program. Upcoming orientations will be held at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. For more information about the program please call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.

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