MANCHESTER, NH – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire is looking for a few good men to volunteer as advocates on behalf of the state’s abused and neglected children. This March CASA launched its second 100 Men for 100 Children campaign, seeking to recruit 100 new male volunteers, thereby doubling the number of men serving as advocates.
CASA serves a population of children that frequently have no positive male role models in their lives. Even in homes where the father is present, research shows that the average father spends less than 10 minutes a day one-on-one with his child. Only 24 percent of CASA’s volunteer base is male, and while men and women perform the duties of a CASA equally well, staff and volunteers have noted many cases in which a child could particularly benefit from having a positive male influence in his or her life. CASA strives to make the best match between a child and advocate in every case. That person could be you.
“For me, it’s all about believing that making the time to get to know the child and then having the opportunity to speak up on their behalf can really make a positive difference in their lives,” said CASA advocate Nigel Roberts. “That’s what’s important. I have a full-time job and it would be easy for me to think I don’t have time to volunteer, but when you have the opportunity to help vulnerable child in this way, you can find the time.”
CASA volunteers are powerful, effective and caring adults who advocate on behalf of children who have been neglected or abused by their parents or caregivers. CASA serves victimized children newborn to 18 years old statewide. The organization’s volunteer advocates are men and women who come from a variety of backgrounds, each bringing their unique skills, which allow them to be a strong voice for children in court. Will you be the voice for a child in need?
“I have a particular affinity for helping people who are not in a position to help themselves,” CASA advocate John Wallace said. “I like to have a role that requires independent judgement, where I can simply say what I think is right and not feel that I have to defend a particular position. I have found that CASA volunteers are extremely well respected and I have enjoyed that status, which I know comes from the outstanding efforts of so many who have preceded me.”
Each year, CASA of NH advocates represent more than 1,000 children, and last year accepted 87 percent of the cases brought before New Hampshire’s child protection and juvenile justice systems. Statewide, more than 400 CASA volunteer advocates are currently speaking on behalf of the best interests of those children. CASA continues to strive to reach its goal of being able to serve on 100 percent of the children in need. We need your help.
CASA is training new advocates in Manchester beginning April 7 and again in July. For more information about CASA or to apply to be an advocate, visit www.casanh.org/100men, call 603-626-4600 or email speakup@casanh.org.
For 25 years, CASA of NH has striven to protect the right of our states most vulnerable children to live, learn and grow in the embrace of a loving family. CASA provides well-trained and caring Guardians ad Litem (GALs) for abused and neglected children who come to the attention of NH’s courts through no fault of their own.
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