On April 17th, Erica Thoits, Director of Community Relations of CASA of NH, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a volunteer organization with over 500 volunteers and always in search of more. They work as advocates, providing a voice for children of neglect and abuse throughout NH. Volunteers are just normal folks who have a heart to help.
The idea is to help children with monthly visits. Visits may consist of just meeting, chatting, hanging out, playing or even just coloring. The notion is providing a safe, caring presence for children who are working to get back with their family or a permanent home from the foster care system.
Volunteers go through 40 hours of training as reporting to family court is vital to getting these children safely placed. Volunteers can expect to spend 10-20 hours per month with children and through the life of the case, sometimes up to 2-3 years due to the current back up. Last year there were 946 cases and this year is going to be higher. The need for volunteers is great as state Guardian ad Litem are over loaded with cases.
Erica did share one of many success stories, a young man visited one of their 7 offices to see where the people who “saved his life” worked. Their mission is simply hoping to place and protect children, and perhaps make positive changes for future generations.
They have a couple Zoom information meetings each month for those on their website is www.casanh.org. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.