Judge swears in 14 CASA volunteers
Fanwood’s Jessica Maier now a foster child advocate
Submitted by Gretchen M. Boger-O’Bryan
Eleven Union County residents from Fanwood, Scotch Plains, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Elizabeth, and Westfield — and three from out-of-county locales Bloomfield, Irvington and South Orange — recently took their oath before Union County Superior Court Judge James Hely to serve as CASA volunteers. This class proves no matter where one calls home, it’s the heart for helping others that leads the way. Each new advocate — ranging from age 21 to 69 — will serve a Union County foster youth or sibling set in need of a constant in their lives, and a voice in court and the community.
Volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Union County serve as extra eyes and ears for family law judges hearing cases involving the county’s abused, neglected or abandoned children removed from home and placed in foster care.
Successful advocates have varied backgrounds and diverse experiences, and this class is no exception: it included parents and non-parents, medical professionals, attorneys, homemakers, students and retirees, and most had no prior knowledge of the foster system. In addition, four volunteers were raised outside the United States. Family and friends, and CASA staff and board members looked on as Judge Hely performed the swearing-in and commemorative pins and certificates were presented. During a celebratory luncheon, advocates were matched to their case, a foster youth or sibling set.
CASA volunteers have court-ordered access to all parties in a foster child’s life, including foster parents, doctors, caseworkers, therapists and teachers, and incorporate into court reports findings from these contacts as well as from their own time spent with the youth. Advocates ensure a youth’s needs are met and their time in care is as short as possible.
It is CASA of Union County’s goal that every area foster child have an advocate; yet half of the more than 500 Union County foster youth still wait for theirs. More Fanwood volunteers are needed, and the next training starts in July. For details on training or other ways to get involved, contact Courtney at 908-293-8136 or cgreen@casaofunioncounty.org.
(above) With Superior Court Judge James Hely are, from left, new CASA volunteers Felicia Davis of Irvington, Robin Karp of Scotch Plains, Aslam Chaudry and Carolina Bravo Sanchez of Elizabeth, Stacey Huggins of Bloomfield, Margaret Smith of Westfield, Alyssa Seiden of Scotch Plains, Rebekah Strombom of Berkeley Heights, Kristen Kim and Lisa Ripperger of Westfield, Francine Quinn of Cranford, Jessica Maier of Fanwood, Andrew Pugliese of South Orange, Katie Romano of New Providence and Executive Director Marla Higginbotham.
