Urgent Need For Volunteers To Help Union County Kids In Foster Care

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Five-year-old Jennifer is diagnosed with autism and almost completely nonverbal. Due to excessive violence in the family home, a concerned neighbor called for help and, after investigation, Jennifer was placed in foster care. The only two phrases Jennifer can say graphically depict violence witnessed at home and confirm the trauma she’s endured.

This New Year, make a new kind of resolution: Volunteer to change the life of a vulnerable child just like Jennifer by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). You will not only change their life, but yours, too.

Jennifer is one of more than 500 children removed from homes in Passaic and Union counties due to abuse and/or neglect. Separated from all they’ve known – parents, siblings, friends, teachers, and their belongings – each need a caring, consistent adult in their corner to protect their best interests while in foster care.

That’s where CASA volunteers come in. Trained to advocate for vulnerable children and supported by CASA staff for the duration of the case, volunteers advocate for the child’s best interests, make recommendations to the judge, and monitor timely implementation of services, all while providing a sense of consistency for the child.

There is currently a waitlist of children who need of a CASA volunteer, so expedited training sessions are scheduled for this winter. No child welfare background is necessary; successful CASA volunteers are dedicated community members with varied life experiences who believe abuse and neglect are non-negotiable.

Volunteers must be 21 or older, communicate effectively orally and in writing, pass a background check, and complete training.

The first step is to attend an information session. In Passaic County, sessions are at the Child Focus office in Wayne at 415 Hamburg Turnpike on Saturday, Jan. 4 at noon, Monday, Jan. 6 at noon, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. An additional session will be Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Little Falls Library.

In Union County, sessions are at the Child Focus office in Elizabeth at 1143 East Jersey Street, 2nd Floor on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at noon, Monday, Jan. 13 at noon, and Wednesday, Jan. 22 at noon. Also, two sessions will be at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, and Monday, Jan. 13 at the Rahway Public Library. Register now at www.casapassaicunion.org/info-session.

CASA of Passaic and Union Counties is a program of Child Focus, which prioritizes the needs and well-being of infants, children, and teens impacted by, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. For details about CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, call 973-832-4002, e-mail info@casapassaicunion.org, or log on to www.casapassaicunion.org.