Heart of Missouri CASA could always use more eager volunteers to help support and advocate for local foster children.
HOM CASA Callaway County program Director Suzanne Guerrant said the numbers of foster children are increasing locally.
"Our goal is for every kid in foster care to have a CASA (court-apointed special advocate)," Guerrant said. "We need adults to help change a child's story."
Foster children can't always rely on their birth families. Once the enter the system, there is a steady stream of strangers entering their lives as well - law enforcement, judges, lawyers, foster parents, therapists and social workers.
CASA volunteers serve as a constant adult figure, staying with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe permanent home.
Anyone who wants to make a difference in the life of a child can be a volunteer, Guerrant said.
"They don't need any special education or degree," she said.
HOM CASA began serving Callaway County in 2013.
"In seven years, we've gone from three volunteers to a lot more," Guerrant said.
This year, the group of court-appointed special advocates served 323 children in the 13th Judicial Circuit, including 85 in Callaway County.
The group's goal was to serve 300 children in a year through recruitment, trainings and speaking at events to find interested volunteers. That goal was reached, but there are still hundreds more children in foster care.
This year, 53 new volunteers joined in Boone and Callaway counties.
"That's outstanding," Guerrant said.
But there is always room for more help. The group conducted four virtual training's this year and plans to hold five more next year.
Guerrant first got involved with CASA in 2013, shortly after she retired from her career as a teacher in Jefferson City Public Schools.
"After teaching for 32 years you think you've seen a lot of things," Guerrant said.
As a CASA volunteer, she saw a whole new perspective. She said the experience has "absolutely" been fulfilling.
"You can make a difference with children out of the classroom," she said. "You can be a friend and be an advocate for them."
Though it is a commitment, the organization provides training and is there to support volunteers.
Volunteers commit for two years and attend court with children, as well as regular visits.
"It is an opportunity to give back to the community and help our most vulnerable," Guerrant said. "We have a lot of children who have been abused and neglected and they need someone to care."
The organization is holding two upcoming virtual information sessions, at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5 and at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13.
The next training will begin Jan. 21 and continue on Thursday evenings through February. Sign up for the Zoom sessions and learn more at homcasa.org/events/.