Volunteers sought to serve as court-appointed advocates

Newton - Every year more than three million children nationally are reported abused or neglected. Despite the states’ attempts to help, many of these kids become trapped in the court and child welfare maze, spending their childhood moving from one temporary shelter to another. Caring individuals can make a difference in the lives of these children by becoming court-appointed special advocates. The goal of the volunteer advocate is to facilitate placement of a child into a safe, permanent home. CASA of Morris & Sussex Counties, the local representative of the national CASA organization, is conducting a drive to recruit volunteers. “We are looking for people with a desire to help children,” says Margaret Skar, a spokesperson for the group. “No special background is needed.” The volunteers receive training from professionals in the legal and child welfare fields. Several information/orientation sessions will be held in Sussex County in the coming weeks. The first will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Sussex YMCA in Hardyston. Another will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the judicial complex in Newton. The final information/orientation session will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. Those who wish to volunteer after attending one of the sessions will receive training in March. For more information or to register for one of the sessions, call 973-570-0723 or visit online at casa-mc.org.