Advocates Needed For Foster Youth

Each year, nearly 23,000 youth age out nationally; 450 right here in New Jersey. Data shows these kids often lack the necessary skills to live independently, resulting in 40 percent being homeless, 55 percent unemployed, 1 in 4 suffering with post-traumatic stress, 60 percent arrested and 71 percent experiencing unplanned pregnancies. These youth are twice as likely than non-foster kids to not earn a high school diploma or GED, and 25 percent earn a two- or four-year degree by the age of 24.
Will you be the voice for one of the nearly 600 Union County youth, ages 0-21, in foster care through no fault of their own? CASAs are sworn in by a judge and court-empowered to speak to all parties: foster parents, teachers, doctors, therapists and more.
Join CASA’s next training class, which kicks off Tuesday, March 1, 2016. CASA advocates for youth age 0-21. Those interested in working with youth 14-21 also undergo specialized Fostering Futures training, designed to equip volunteers with tools to guide teens toward a successful future on their own.
Learn more at information sessions in Westfield or Elizabeth:
6 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 13, Jan. 25, Feb. 9, and Feb. 22
at the County Clerk’s Building,
300 North Avenue East, in Westfield;
and 10 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 15, Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26
at the CASA office,
1143-45 E. Jersey St., 2nd Floor, in Elizabeth.
Contact Lisa at (908) 527-7048 or lporis@casaofunioncounty.org to RSVP for any information session, for the March 2016 training schedule, or any questions on CASA and claiming a seat in the next class!