A national grant will help CASA of West Central Illinois expand services for abused and neglected children in the region who need court-appointed advocates.
Executive Director Kelly Corbin said the organization already serves 135 children in Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough counties by recruiting and training volunteers.
But there are around 200 more children in the region who have experienced abuse and neglect and still need a CASA volunteer.
“And we can only serve as many children as volunteers we have. So the more volunteers we are able to recruit and train, the more children we are able to serve,” Corbin said.
The $30,510 Growth Grant from the National CASA/Guardian Ad Litem will enhance recruitment and training efforts in the counties the organization already serves.
For instance, the grant is funding a community outreach and recruitment position.
Corbin said the goal is to serve all of the children in foster care who need representation and advocacy in west central Illinois.
“It’s a great opportunity if you have the heart for helping children,” Corbin said. “These are children who just need someone in their corner, someone to advocate for them. You get to be the voice for them in court.”
More information is online.
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