Imagine what it would be like to not live with your parents, not because of something you did, but because they can't - or won't - take care of you. Now, into your life come dozens of strangers: police officers, foster parents, social workers, judges, lawyers, and more.
What a CASA Means for a Child:
Having a CASA volunteer means having a trained and committed adult, by your side, who has been appointed by a judge to watch over you and advocate for your best interests. That volunteer will make sure you don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. They will be there for you until your case is closed. It can make the difference between homelessness and a safe home, between dropping out and completing school, between unemployment and success, between jail and becoming a productive member of society.
About CASA:
Champaign County CASA currently serves approximately 400 children, thanks to our 115 volunteer advocates. The children we serve range in age from newborn to 21 years of age. Last year almost 40% were under age 6.
How to Volunteer:
- To become a CASA, you must be 21 years or older, pass a background check, and commit to taking a case for two years (the average length of a case).
- Visit our pages About Volunteering and Frequently Asked Questions.
- Apply for a training. CASA's training class combines national CASA materials along with local information so you can hit the ground running when you become a CASA.
- Once you complete the training, you take the CASA Oath and are appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of a child in a case.
Next Steps:
If you are interested in learning more, please visit our pages About Volunteering and Frequently Asked Questions. You may also Apply Online, or contact our office at 217-384-9065 or by email at hmauch@casa4kids.org.
Upcoming Training Information:
Dates for our Winter 2024 training for new volunteers are as follows:
January 23-25
January 30- February 1
February 6-8
*All classes will take place in the evening, and the modality is weather dependent.
Please plan to attend all of the sessions. If you are interested but don't know when you can join our training class, we encourage you to still apply!