There are so many places and ways we can volunteer to help others less fortunate in our community. Helping abused or neglected children get back some semblance of a normal life is an especially valuable job, for which many volunteers are needed in this region.

There are hundreds of Worcester County children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, and the courts use CASA, a group of volunteers who help ensure those children get what they need as they move through the court system and perhaps into foster care. The need for Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers continues to grow as more children enter the child welfare and court systems.

According to CASA, nearly 800 children arrive in the Worcester County juvenile court system each year.

“Most of these children are younger than age 12 — nearly half are under 6 — and all are hurt, frightened, and confused. The goal of CASA is to speak for, and fight for, every one of these children,” says Douglas Stark, director of community resources for The CASA Project, Inc. of Worcester.

CASA needs men and women to spend six to eight hours a month advocating for abused children. Hours are flexible and training is provided. The benefits to the children and the rewards to their advocates is immeasurable.

The judges of the Worcester County juvenile court system appoint CASA volunteers to help with their most complex or difficult cases.

Volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. They assist all juvenile court judges in making decisions to improve the quality of life for our most vulnerable population. Their role as independent, objective advocates is an essential contribution to the management and disposition of these complicated cases, according to Judge Carol Erskine.

CASA volunteers, along with case supervisors, have lots of responsibilities, including conducting independent investigations by reviewing all pertinent documents and records. Volunteers interview children, parents, social workers, foster parents, counselors, and teachers to determine the facts and circumstances of the child’s situation.

They visit the child at least once each month to ensure the living conditions are safe and appropriate. Foster placements and social workers may be re-assigned multiple times and the CASA volunteer may be the only constant adult in the child’s life.

From this research they provide written reports to the court and make recommendations for specific services for the child and family, and advocate for necessary services that may not be immediately identified or available.

They are the eyes and ears for the juvenile judges, as they monitor implementation of case plans and court orders.

The volunteers advocate for the children’s interests in the community by bringing concerns about physical health, mental health, or education to the appropriate professionals, and ensure that the child’s needs in these areas are met.

It sounds challenging, and important, and right up the alley of so many recently retired people who can appreciate the importance of doing good by these young victims and have the patience and experience to handle the job.

We’d encourage anyone who feels up to the challenge to give it a try. It might just be the most rewarding job you’ve ever undertaken.

The next training will be held in October. Contact www.casaworcester.org or call 508-TRY-CASA for more information.