Program Graduates 10 CASA Volunteers
Submitted by Carleena Angwin, Program Director-Lookout Mountain CASA,
Walker County Messanger, May 10, 2006

Foster children are hopeful as child advocates graduate from Lookout Mountain CASA. Last week, 10 citizens were sworn in as CASA volunteers in an outdoor ceremony held at the Children's Advocacy Center in Fort Oglethorpe. During the ceremony, Judge Bryant Henry, Chief Presiding Juvenile Court Judge of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, emphasized how important CASA Volunteers are to the foster children they serve. Ceremony speakers recapped what volunteers learned in training. In Georgia last year, 99 children died from abuse and neglect. In Walker county, there are an estimated 120 children currently in the foster care system. Catoosa County has approximately 100. Statistics show that 40% of children who remain in foster care until their 18th birthday will one day become violent offenders. This is both hazardous and expensive, considering Georgia taxpayers spend $30,000 a year for each inmate in prison. However, if a foster child has at least one stable adult who cares about their well-being, such as a CASA, that child is much more likely to overcome difficult barriers and go on to become a successful adult.

Carleena Angwin, CASA Program Director says, "We are very excited to graduate our first group of CASAs. They are a diverse mix representing retired teachers, physical therapists, students, retired business owners, teachers and artists." By the end of training, the program gained two more trained CASAs. Bunnie McCosar is a CASA who was trained at a former CASA Program. Brenda Williamson is a trained volunteer, joining us from Hamilton County CASA Program. It was clear at the ceremony that volunteers had bonded and were each other's best supporters. Norma Clark, CASA graduate, says during the ceremony, "We're all very excited and a little scared, ready to support one another in the cases we take" Ms. Clark, who lives in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, has over 50 years experience volunteering with child welfare agencies. You do not need a degree in law or social work to become a CASA. Officials say that they're simply looking for people with a desire to help abused children in Walker, Catoosa and Dade Counties. They welcome volunteers from all cultures, professions, ethnic and educational backgrounds.

During the ceremony, special thanks were given to local businesses, which donated meals to the 10 evening training classes. Ms. Angwin states, "the response from the business community was phenomenal. Chick-Fil-A on Battlefield Parkway provided dinners the whole month of March! Others who donated are Papa Johns Pizza, Bi-Lo, Fazoli's, Ming Moon Restaurant, Subway, and Panera Bread." She also thanked the community leaders who participated as guest speakers during training. "We had a former CASA Volunteer, a case worker from Department of Family and Children's services, a Child Abuse Detective, Director of Family Collaborative, Therapist and a Juvenile Court Judge serve as guest speakers throughout training."

CASAs will begin to take cases this week. They can be found visiting schools, talking to children, interviewing teachers and therapists, reading case reports at DFCS, visiting parents and speaking on behalf of the children in juvenile court. We are ten strong, but we need many more volunteers to ensure that every foster child has access to a CASA. To learn more about the program, go to www.gacasa.org. You can reach the Lookout Mountain CASA Program at casa_program@yahoo.com or call 423-255-6146. Officials say they also need financial support. "It costs about $1000 to organize a training class. We also need a wireless laptop computer and office furniture-desk, swivel chair, bookshelf, printer, etc." Checks can be made to the Lookout Mountain CASA Program and all donations are tax deductible.

Article submitted by Carleena Angwin, Lookout Mountain CASA Program Director.