August Mission Moment: UMCL supports CASA’s work to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect

For the month of August, the Mission Committee is pleased to host and celebrate the work of CASA Lake County, another worthy organization that our church supports through Second Mile Giving.

What is CASA Lake County?

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. This is a national organization that supports and promotes the use of trained volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA's mission is to help SAFELY return the children to their families when possible, or when not possible, to help the children achieve safe and permanent homes where they can thrive. Learn more about their work in the video above.

Volunteers are at the heart of CASA's Work

Each year, CASA volunteers work with over 1,500 Lake County children. The volunteers are investigators, monitors, and advocates for the child assigned to them, all with the child’s best interest in mind as they navigate through the various transitions to find a permanent safe home for the child.

Volunteers are vital to the ongoing necessary work that this organization does. To be a trained volunteer for CASA requires the completion of a 30 hour pre-service training course and a commitment of 10 to 15 hours per month. Volunteers must also complete 12 hours of continuing education per year. Although the volunteers are not paid, they are rewarded with the profound personal fulfillment of directly improving the life of an abused or neglected child.