CASA of NH: Be the Voice for a Child in Need

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire is looking for a few good men to volunteer as advocates on behalf of the state’s abused and neglected children. This March, CASA launched its second 100 Men for 100 Children campaign, seeking to recruit 100 new male volunteers, thereby doubling the number of men serving as advocates.

CASA serves a population of children that frequently have no positive male role models in their lives. Even in homes where the father is present, research shows that the average father spends less than 10 minutes a day one-on-one with his child. Only 24 percent of CASA’s volunteer base is male, and while men and women perform the duties of a CASA equally well, staff and volunteers have noted many cases in which a child could particularly benefit from having a positive male influence in his or her life. CASA strives to make the best match between a child and advocate in every case. That person could be you.

“As the father of two boys who were fortunate to have been raised in a loving, safe and nurturing environment, it saddened me to learn of the abuse and neglect with children in New Hampshire. I believed that if I could help just one child, it might impact their future in a positive way,” said CASA advocate Mark Shafer.

CASA volunteers are powerful, effective and caring adults who advocate on behalf of children who have been neglected or abused by their parents or caregivers. CASA serves victimized children newborn to 18 years old statewide. The organization’s volunteer advocates are men and women who come from a variety of backgrounds, each bringing their unique skills, which allow them to be a strong voice for children in court. Will you be the voice for a child in need?

“Being a CASA has been interesting, challenging at times but always very fulfilling. I’ve had other volunteer roles but this is the one that has allowed me to have the most direct impact on someone’s life,” CASA advocate Paul Barry said.

Each year, CASA of NH advocates represent more than 1,000 children, and last year accepted 87 percent of the cases brought before New Hampshire’s child protection and juvenile justice systems. Statewide, more than 400 CASA volunteer advocates are currently speaking on behalf of the best interests of those children. CASA continues to strive to reach its goal of being able to serve on 100 percent of the children in need. We need your help.

For more information about CASA or to apply to be an advocate, visit www.casanh.org/100men, call 603-617-7115 or email speakup@casanh.org.

For 25 years, CASA of NH has strived to protect the right of our states most vulnerable children to live, learn and grow in the embrace of a loving family. CASA provides well-trained and caring Guardians ad Litem (GALs) for abused and neglected children who come to the attention of NH’s courts through no fault of their own.