GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a state organization that serves foster youth in 30 counties.
The group helps the youths by providing consistent and reliable figures for those in the foster care system.
"Many of these children are used to not having somebody show up on a regular basis," said Jenifer Collins, Director of Operations for Michigan CASA.
Collins said when the volunteers consistently show up for the children, it helps to solidify trust between them and a reliable adult figure.
"And all of a sudden the CASA volunteer shows up, and they showed up again on Wednesday, and they showed up again on Wednesday, and they showed up again on Wednesday, and they start to build that trust with a child or that sibling group," Collins said.
She said the organization depends on community volunteers who are trained to become advocates for foster youth.
"These children and sibling groups have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, and these everyday volunteers step up, and they become trained, so that they can go into the courtroom, as well as into the school system, and any other place that they need to help give a voice for that child," Collins said.
The work the volunteers do also includes "being an extra set of eyes" on a child. This means being able to make suggestions to their guardians about their health and physical needs, providing a safe space for the child, or even making potential suggestions for therapy needs.
The volunteers can also report recommendations regarding parents to judges.
For Michigan CASA, however, there is a need for volunteers — specifically more male volunteers.
"Right now in Michigan we have about 1,300 kids that CASA programs take care of, and of those 53 percent are male. Unfortunately, our male volunteer base is only 15 percent, so there's a big disparage there," Collins said.
She said having a positive male influence can be beneficial for both young males and females.
"There are many young men who do not have a positive male role model in their life, and we have countless, countless cases like that where they have made a really big difference," Collins said. "But I wouldn't even underestimate that a strong male figure (is important) as well for a young girl, and so they'll be powerful for either one."
The group is looking to expand into Calhoun, Jackson, and Macomb Counites, which they said will allow them to help 900 more children.
Those interested in volunteering or getting more information about Michigan CASA can click here.
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