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CASA volunteers give a voice to children, reunite families

Posted at 6:11 AM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-08 07:11:00-05

When a child is ripped from their home, the road ahead can be a terrifying one.

But there are some volunteers out there willing to take time out of their days to help navigate those waters, making a difficult time a little easier for those who may not otherwise have a voice.

It’s not an easy job, but a rewarding one for CASA of SoLA volunteers and advocates.

“The first minute you meet them, they become your children,” says CASA Advocate Emile Leger, Jr. “You see them all the time. I probably see them more than I see my own daughter sometimes.”

It’s only been a few months, but in that time Leger says his life has changed for the better.

“I love it. I wish I would have done this a long time ago.”

Emile, as a CASA Advocate, joins the ranks of dozens of others who spend hours fighting for children who otherwise may not have a voice.

“You stay with that child no matter what. no matter how many workers they get, no matter how many times they get moved to another foster home,” says volunteer Paula Andrus. “You’re the one constant in their life.”

CASA’s attend court dates, write reports, meet with the kids, and do what they can to help reunite a family.

While that isn’t always the case, it is the end goal.

“When you see foster parents work with biological parents and you get to see kids go home with their parents, that’s very rewarding,” says Andrus. “When you see a biological parent get the services they need to put their family back together, that’s a joyful time.”

No matter the case, the time spent, or miles traveled, these men and women do it all. And they say its not about the glory, but for the end goal of taking a broken family and making them whole again.

CASA  will host a superhero celebration on Tuesday, March 12th. Tickets are $50.
The celebration will take place from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at City Club in River Ranch.

For more information on CASA of SoLA and their work in Louisiana, visit casaofsola.org.