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Lakeway Court Appointed Special Advocates needs volunteers to speak on behalf of abused and neglected children in Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.

CASAs are community members who volunteer to work with children in the child welfare system who have experienced abuse or neglect. They meet with children in person at least monthly and provide information to judges that help them make the most well-informed decisions about each child.

Lakeway CASA is currently advocating for more than 140 children. Children who are often experiencing the most challenging time of their young lives due to abuse and neglect. These children are suddenly removed from their homes, from all they know and love.

CASA volunteers provide much-needed support through this scary time. They take the time to get to know the child and are the one constant in the middle of all the shuffle, uncertainty, and chaos. Someone who is there for the tough days, the great days, and the in-between days. Someone whose one goal is for the child to have a safe, loving, and permanent home.

Volunteers receive 30 hours of pre-service training. Once training is completed, volunteers devote an average of 10 hours a month to representing the best interests of the children they serve.

Every Volunteer has the support of a CASA staff member and child advocate team through every step of the case. Training and educational opportunities are available each month. No special experience is needed, just an interest in helping children.

Lakeway CASA will offer a FLEX training option (a hybrid of independent study and once-a-week group meet-ups by Zoom). If you would like to learn more, join Lakeway CASA on Jan. 17 for a training orientation where the CASA role will be discussed, what to expect from training, the difference a CASA makes in outcomes for children and more.

Once training is complete, volunteers visit with children, attend meetings on their behalf, and make recommendations to the juvenile court judge based on what is in the child’s best interest.

For more information, call 423-307-5762 or email Marie Nicely, recruitment and training coordinator, at lakewaycasamnicely@gmail.com.