Kirsten was substituting for her boss who was scheduled to talk last Friday to our Club but had a case of laryngitis. Kirsten is passionate about her work and one who wins almost all of her cases. State law requires that if a child does not have an attorney, Counties are required to provide legal services. The Court Appointed Special Advocate role is to have a very powerful voice on behalf of children. Kirsten is a child abuse lawyer who loves her job, fights for children and works in a wonderful program that helps young children. 

 

The Court Appointed Special Advocates program started in King County over 40 years ago, and was quickly adopted by Snohomish County and quickly spread to every state in the United States. CASA saves Snohomish County over $2 million dollars annually. Judges have come to rely on the work of the CASA representatives on behalf of these kids. Moving foster kids can be very damaging and happens without reason, packing up their belongs and putting them in another foster home.

 

Too many children in the child welfare system lose their families, their rights and their hope. CASA is there along with volunteers to to join their fight to make sure they don't loose hope and their rights.  Today, 63% of the children in the system have no access to a CASA volunteer. That's almost 400,000 children without the hope that a CASA volunteer can bring.  A couple of steps can help resolve some of these deficiencies:  You can donate to a proven approach and your financial contribution is a sound investment. Or,  you can be a volunteer. This is one cause where the actions of a single person means everything. One volunteer trained and empowered to ensure that every child can thrive in a safe embrace of a loving home is essential to these young children.

 

When a child has to move, they are likely to carry their belongings in a sack or garbage bag. Totes for Tots has been created to provide a nice duffel bag or back pack for these kids when they have to move. They are low on these items.  So, we will be making an effort in the near future to collect bags from our members and the community. Stay tuned.