WANTED: Big Voices for Little Texan’s
Volunteer Today
There is nothing in the world that is more rewarding then helping a child who has been abused, neglected or abandoned. Volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and help CASA in efforts to find a child a safe, secure and permanent home.
CASA volunteers do not need educational degrees or legal experience. You only need the following:
- A desire to make a difference in a child’s life
- Time to give approximately one hour a week
- Be of the age 21 or older
- Have concern for children and a genuine desire to help
- Have the ability and maturity to remain objective in dealing with emotional situations
- Have sensitivity to cultural and ethnic differences
- Commitment to complete a 30-hour training course
- Have access to transportation and a somewhat flexible schedule to attend court sessions
- Have a willingness to devote approximately one year to complete an assigned case
- Must pass a background check
If you can volunteer 1 to 2 hours a week you can change the life of a child.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our organization, please visit our Training Schedule Tab, our current training dates and application areavailable here. If you have further questions or would like more information please call Kristen at CASA 806-373-2272 or e-mail amacasa@amarillocasa.org
Volunteer Advocates of the Year
Congratulations to John and Mary Petty
We are happy to honor a husband & wife team as this year’s Volunteer Advocates of the Year. They have been very busy advocating 2 ½ years working singly and collectively on 5 cases involving 10 children. Although John’s first case was a tough one, he dug in and went above and beyond. John has the skills that allowed him to communicate with the very angry father when others could not. He takes time out of his busy schedule to travel out of town to visit the child. Mary jumped in and before she knew it she was working two cases. Her love and compassion for children must come from her nurturing background. Mary is from an Italian family and was the 2nd oldest of 7 children. She helped be a mother to her younger siblings and taught Special Ed for 17 years. Her first case involved 2 girls that had been sexually abused. She observed visits; traveled out of town to visit parents and her heart was touched in a special way when she attended the adoption of these two little girls. John is now working a case that has two children while Mary is working her third case with two children and the children in both cases are the siblings. They attend hearings, PC’s, visit the children and interview anyone that might have information about the family. They have donated many hours and traveled many miles to advocate for these children. Not only do they donate their time and talents for our CASA children, they attend trainings and traveled out of town to attend the Texas CASA conference. John participated in the 5K, they donate financially; donate bagels and food for trainings and special events. While doing all of this for CASA they own & operate a very successful business the “Bagel Place” on Bell and find time for their 3 children and 5 grandchildren. CASA is truly blessed and it gives us great honor to present our CASA Volunteer Advocates of the Year - John & Mary Petty!
John and Mary you are amazing advocates, friends, and we truly love you. Our CASA children and the CASA program are blessed that you are a part of our family.
Thank you for sharing your love and talents with us.
From the Staff and Board of Directors