Senior Volunteers:
Stand Up For a Cause
Become a Child Advocate Volunteer

by Wendy
(www.retirement-online.com)

Become a Child Advocate Volunteer in your retirement!

Now that you’ve retired, you finally have all the time in the world to do the things you’ve always dreamed of. But different from typical retirees who simply relax and lounge around, you might be searching for ways to give back to society. If you are fond of children, why don’t you try being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer?

CASA Volunteers act as guardians of children who are abused or neglected. They ensure that these children have proper guidance and care to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers remain in constant contact with the assigned child until such time that they are properly taken care of and placed safely in a permanent home. Thus, for some children, they serve as the only constant adult presence in their lives.

Being a CASA Volunteers does not entail you to have a specialized background or education. However, it does entail a great deal of dedication and investment of time, energy and heart since volunteers must stay until the case is closed. Most cases usually last for one and a half years.

Should you wish to volunteer, expect to undergo a mandatory 30-hour pre-service training. Also expect to spend at least 10 hours a month for each case.

If you feel that you can’t commit to the requirements a CASA Child Advocate volunteer entails, fret not, there are a lot of other opportunities for you to help out these children.

You may browse through the list below and see where your fit lies:

Writing/layout/editing/publication/distribution of the program's newsletter

Designing a website, or maintaining current information on a program website

Recruiting volunteers: public speaking, staffing tables at events, talking to friends

Hanging CASA posters in your community

Providing data entry on a regular basis

Inviting CASA staff to present a program to their community or civic group, recruiting volunteers, requesting a donation, etc.

Getting CASA information out in their workplace via e-newsletter, posters, brochures in pay envelopes, etc.

Organizing a fundraiser or contacting businesses for in-kind donations: food, prizes in connection with a special event or for volunteer recognition, office supplies, etc.

Presenting an in-service training workshop on a topic about which you have professional expertise

Making your home, workplace or other facility available to the CASA program for training, volunteer recognition, special events, etc.

Serving on governing boards or advisory councils or their committees

To know more about CASA and volunteering, visit the National CASA website. at And see where your local CASA association is located.

By volunteering in CASA, you make wise use of your retirement time in enabling children to find safe, permanent homes and thus make a difference in their lives!