Henrico CASA seeks volunteers to serve as child advocates

Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will hold an information session Thursday, March 21 for people who may be interested in volunteering to work in the court system on behalf of abused or neglected children.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the CASA offices in suite A of the Hungary Spring Office Park, 3001 Hungary Spring Road. To reserve a seat, contact Rebecca Kalman-Winston at (804) 501-1670 or kal001@henrico.us.

Henrico CASA is recruiting volunteers for a free, three-week training course that will begin Monday, April 29. Classes will be held three days per week and last about six hours per session. The classes will be held during the daytime for the convenience of retirees, stay-at- home parents or others with evening obligations.

Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that has worked closely with the court for more than 24 years. Working typically 10 to 15 hours per month, volunteer advocates gather information on a child’s circumstances to supplement information provided to the court. Henrico CASA volunteers served 333 children by donating 14,473 hours during fiscal year 2017-18.

Prospective volunteers must apply by Friday, April 12, be at least 21 years old, have regular access to a computer and attend all training sessions. All applicants will be interviewed, fingerprinted and undergo criminal background and reference checks.

Anyone interested in applying but unable to attend the information session is asked to contact Jeannine Panzera at (804) 501-1673 or pan01@henrico.us.

For an application or details, visit http://henricocasa.org.