To the editor:
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. The juvenile courts in our state prefer to have a CASA volunteer serve as the guardian ad litem (GAL) for children who have been removed from their homes due to neglect, abuse, or both. I prefer the acronym CASA to GAL.
In many romance languages casa means “house.” These children need, and deserve, a safe, nurturing house to become the community members we all wish to have. A CASA volunteer represents the interest of children as their cases proceed through the court system. This process includes visits with the children and adults involved in the case. It also involves writing progress reports for and attending court. I have found that my work as a CASA has added one more sense of purpose in my life. “My” children are truly grateful for the involvement of an adult who is there because they choose to be, not because they have to be, and because they truly care.
In a recent article in JAMA Network Open, it was reported, “having a strong sense of purpose in life leads to improvements in both physical and mental health and enhances the overall quality of life.” Hey, helping children and improving my life, sounds like a twofer! If this sounds like something that could add purpose to your life, training to become a CASA begins again in Keene on Monday, Sept. 9. The Keene CASA office may be reached at (603) 358-4012.
Learn more about the work of CASA, and apply online today at www.casanh.org.
Doug Waitt
New Ipswich