In the season of giving, one of the best gifts you can give is your time. Not only will it help those in need, but your altruism will also make your own holidays brighter. If you are interested in local volunteer opportunities, consider EAC Network’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The New York Times’ opinion columnist Nicholas Kristof recently recommended volunteering with CASA in his annual “Holiday Gift Guide.”
CASA Featured in The New York Times’ Holiday Impact Campaign
In a recent New York Times column, Nicholas Kristof encouraged readers to volunteer with CASA, because “America’s foster care system is broken, and our 400,000 foster kids need help.” He wrote that although the foster care system cannot be fixed overnight, individuals can help neglected children navigate a complex system by volunteering with CASA.
“Kids in the foster care system are some of the most vulnerable and neglected people in America,” he said. “Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) trains volunteer advocates to ensure that every child’s voice is heard. These children need help, and in your free time you can change the trajectory of a child’s life.”
Since 2009, New York Times columnist and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof has written an annual “Holiday Gift Guide” column to give readers ideas about impactful ways to give back to the community.
This year, CASA was one of two organizations that received his endorsement for local volunteer opportunities. Read the full article here.
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) Makes Children’s Lives Brighter
Together with state and local member programs, CASA is a national organization that works to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
As part of our Children & Youth Services, EAC Network administers CASA programs in Nassau and Suffolk counties in which trained volunteers assist Family Court to secure safe, nurturing, and permanent homes for children in need.
What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?
EAC Network’s CASA volunteers provide support and advocacy for children who are missing the family structure to help them thrive. Our volunteers are trained to understand the impact of trauma on children. They speak with service providers, teachers, and social workers to gather the information they need to make informed recommendations to the court.
Research has shown that the type of positive relationships fostered by CASA make a significant difference in the lives of at-risk children. Children who have the support of a CASA volunteer are more likely to find a safe, permanent home, more likely to succeed in school, and half as likely to re-enter the foster care system.
Pursue Local Volunteer Opportunities With Us
Across America, tens of thousands of children have a CASA volunteer by their side — but many others are not so lucky. If you are over 21 years of age and able to commit at least five hours of weekly service for a minimum of one year, you could be a CASA volunteer. We will provide all the necessary training to help you make a difference in the lives of foster care children in your community.
To learn more about local volunteer opportunities with CASA, visit the EAC Network website.