CASA of New Jersey is part of a national network of non-profit programs that advocate for children removed from their families because of abuse or neglect and with more than 13,000 abused and neglected children our state, Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC is honored to support CASA again in 2016.
“CASA is an organisation we have supported throughout the years and their mission is close to our hearts,” notes managing partner Bari Z. Weinberger. “CASA provides safety and continuity to abused and neglected children and works to give them a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. It is our privilege to be able to help raise awareness of the plight of these children and to shine a spotlight on the immensely valuable work CASA undertakes in New Jersey and, indeed, throughout the country.”
Advocating For Child Abuse Victims
For one member of staff, supporting these vulnerable children directly has become a life choice. Roxann Navarra, a paralegal at Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC’s Mount Laurel office in South Jersey has applied to become a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA recruits and trains community volunteers to be a voice in court for children removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect. These advocates speak up for abused or neglected children in the court and child welfare systems, making sure they are safe and well cared for and are in safe and nurturing homes. CASA programs operate in all 21 counties in New Jersey and more than 1,800 CASA volunteers served over 3,000 children last year.
We had a chance to catch up with Roxann regarding her upcoming opportunity as a CASA volunteer. Roxann let us in on the process, telling us that she is anticipating being sworn in as a volunteer in the next few weeks after she completes her 20 hours of training. Roxanne understands the contribution CASA volunteers make and is looking forward to helping ensure that children receive the proper care and programs that are available to them. “CASA volunteers stay with the children until they are permanently placed. Their foster parents may change, their counselors, doctors and judges may change, but the CASA volunteer is their constant.”
Why does Roxann want to become a CASA volunteer? She shared that she has two grown sons whom she is “very fortunate turned out to be fine young men…It’s time to give back.”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Friday April 8th is the national awareness day for CASA. On facebook, twitter or instagram? Look out for our updates and photos as we work to raise awareness on Friday and please help by liking and sharing as Weinberger Divorce & Family Law Group, LLC ‘goes blue’ for child abuse awareness.