CASA Volunteers Sworn in as Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children

[Morristown, NJ] March 3, 2016--- A new group of community volunteers were sworn in on March 3rd as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Morris and Sussex Counties by The Honorable Maritza Berdote Byrne, Presiding Family Court Judge of the Morris/Sussex Vicinage. CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, a local non-profit organization, trains and supervises community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment.

The new volunteers are making a commitment to “speak up” for these vulnerable children in court and to ensure that they receive the medical and educational resources they need to thrive, and most importantly that they find permanent, safe and nurturing homes.

The ceremony was held at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown. The new volunteers sworn in included Julie Barros (Andover), Janet Coleman (Pine Brook), Helen Davis (Basking Ridge), Christiana Masucci (Far Hills), Debra McGrath (Sparta), Susan Newman (Mendham), Lisa Orlin (Short Hills), Sari Ross (Montville), Chris Schuette (Randolph), Linda Tarr (Pine Brook), Daphne Thompson (Sparta), Diane Tolley (Brookside), Errol Train (Bedminster), Timothy Ursell (Towaco), and Cary Winslow (Far Hills). A few other volunteers will be sworn in on March 15th, these volunteers include Christy Lazarow (West Caldwell), Amy Greenberg (Livingston), and Colm Lynch (Chatham).

CASA volunteer advocates participate in an extensive training program before officially being sworn in to be assigned to a child in the foster care system. “These volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. They give their time, energy and passion to bring better tomorrows to vulnerable children. I want to thank our new group of volunteers for taking on this tremendous task. I applaud them for their dedication,” said Dr. Lisa Firkser, Executive Director of CASA.

About CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties

CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train, and supervise volunteers to “Speak Up for a Child.” These children have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. CASA is the only program in New Jersey that uses trained volunteers to work one‐on‐one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. Visit www.casamsc.org or call 973-998-7590 for more information about CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties.