A Record 18 Volunteers Virtually Sworn-In as Advocates with CASA

Prospect Park PA

24 November, 2020

11:18 AM

Description

Pictured L to R from top to bottom: Angel Howzell, Rich Connelly, Mary Shea Draper, Renee Konell, Ruth Bock, Elishabet Lato, Lisa DiGiacomo, Deanna DiMascio, Kimberly LiVolsi, Melanie McHugh, Karlie Bisordi, Lexie McClatchy, John Guardiani, Laura Connell Pyott, Kim Toomey, Erica Conner, Robert G. Fitzgerald, Chester County Dependency Court Judge Analisa Sondergaard, Lauren Campbell MEDIA, Pa. – Nov. 24, 2020 – CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., an organization that works to ensure children in Delaware and Chester counties’ child welfare systems live well, achieve academic excellence, and experience the joys of childhood by providing them with trained volunteer advocates who speak for their best interests, held a virtual swearing-in ceremony this morning to welcome a record 18 new volunteers. The ceremony was administered by Chester County Dependency Judge Analisa Sondergaard. CASA has sworn in more volunteers in 2020 than ever before in a single year with 57 more volunteers now advocating for children in Delaware and Chester counties. Still, the organization continues to need advocates as the needs facing children and families are greater than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. CASA only serves about 20% of the children in need of advocacy across Delaware and Chester counties. New volunteers include the following local residents: Bryn Mawr, Pa. Lexie McClatchy Chester Springs, Pa. Deanna DiMascioDowningtown, Pa. Robert G. Fitzgerald Lincoln University, Pa. Elishabet LatoMalvern, Pa. Lauren CampbellMedia, Pa. Kimberly LiVolsiPhiladelphia, Pa. Lisa DiGiacomoPhoenixville, Pa. John GuardianiRenee Konell Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Rich ConnellySpringfield, Pa. Mary Shea DraperSwarthmore, Pa. Karlie BisordiRuth Bock Upper Darby, Pa. Angel HowzellWallingford, Pa. Erica ConnerWayne, Pa. Laura Connell PyottKim Toomey West Chester, Pa. Melanie McHughCASA volunteers complete 35 hours of training over the course of two to three weeks. After taking an oath, they become eligible to review and monitor the case of a child or youth experiencing abuse or neglect. Volunteers are assigned to a child to walk alongside, with the responsibility of helping build trust, investigate his or her case, observe, analyze, and advocate for what is best through written reports and verbal recommendations to the judge – a rewarding experience for both the child and volunteer. CASA is actively seeking new volunteers as there is an increase in child welfare cases due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. For more information about becoming a volunteer with CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., please visit https://delcocasa.org/volunteer/volunteer-information-session-registration. About CASA Youth Advocates, Inc. CASA Youth Advocates, Inc., works to ensure that each child in Delaware and Chester counties’ child welfare systems lives well, achieves academic excellence, and experiences the joys of childhood by providing them with trained volunteer advocates who speak for their best interests with support and guidance from CASA’s professional staff of social workers and attorneys. CASA has been serving Delaware County’s children since 1992 and expanded its services to Chester County’s children in 2015. ###