Henrico CASA seeks volunteers to serve as child advocates

Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates will hold a virtual information session at noon Tuesday, Aug. 25 and an in-person session at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 for people who may be interested in volunteering to work in the court system on behalf of abused or neglected children.

The in-person session will be held in the CASA offices in suite A of the Hungary Spring Office Park, 3001 Hungary Spring Road. To reserve a seat or for information on the virtual session, contact Rebecca Kalman-Winston at (804) 501-1670 or kal001@henrico.us. Participants also may register on Eventbrite for the Aug. 25 session or the Sept. 3 session.

Henrico CASA will offer a 14-session training program for new volunteers beginning Saturday, Sept. 26. Classes will be held at CASA’s offices and will be followed by a swearing-in ceremony in October at the Henrico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that has worked closely with the court for 25 years. Working typically 10 to 12 hours per month, volunteer advocates gather information on a child’s circumstances to supplement information provided to the court. Henrico CASA volunteers served 401 children by donating 13,532 hours during fiscal year 2019-20.

Prospective volunteers must apply by Friday, Sept. 11, be at least 21 years old and have regular access to a computer. Volunteers must attend all training sessions. Applicants will be interviewed, fingerprinted and undergo criminal background and reference checks.

Anyone interested in applying but unable to attend an information session should contact Markella Maschas at (804) 501-1671 or mas042@henrico.us.

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