HOLTS SUMMIT -- Capital City Court Appointed Special Advocates struggled to retain volunteers, and to keep up with demand during the past two years.
There were periods when more than 150 children caught up in the court system awaited CASA (advocates) to advocate for them in courtrooms.
But, there is some good news -- 24 volunteers have graduated from training this year, and the number of children awaiting CASAs is down to less than three dozen, according to Gina Clement, director of Capital City CASA.
Clement shared the data during the annual Capital City CASA recognition dinner. The dinner offers a chance for the organization to take time to recognize its CASAs -- both the new and those who have been with the organization longer.
"Most of all, this is just a chance for us to say 'Thank you' for what you do," Clement told several dozen people gathered at Canterbury Hill Winery. "It is a roller coaster. You put in a lot of time to train for it. You put in a lot of time for this program."
The nonprofit organization trains volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in courtrooms.
CASA is an organization made up of a network of people who believe society has a fundamental obligation to make sure children thrive and are treated with dignity and are kept safe.
Its volunteers, appointed by judges, advocate for abused and neglected children. They act as a voice for the children, and try to make sure children don't get lost in overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers remain on their clients' cases until the children are placed in safe, permanent homes.
CASA has been a presence in Cole County courts for more than a decade.
"We just appreciate everything you do. We couldn't do all this without you," Clement said.
Judges, who normally participate in CASA events, were unavailable Thursday, she told the volunteers. She reminded them the judges appreciate all the time the volunteers give to the program.
Tobie Meyer, the Cole County Juvenile Court administrator, said her court also very much appreciates the volunteers' reports.
"They contain information that would otherwise be left out," Meyer said. "I have personally relied on the reports that I've brought to the judges' attention."
There's very valuable information in the reports, she continued.
"If you're not aware of the level of crisis in the Children's Division right now, it's bad, bad, bad statewide," Meyer said. "They've lost two of their deputy directors recently."
And the situation continues to worsen, she continued.
"That makes your role even more critical," Meyer said. "Thank you so, so much. The impact you have on children is really priceless."
A volunteer for the past four years, Susie Wisch, said she has no case right now, but knows one is coming.
"I have enjoyed it. The children that I have had, have all been younger," Wisch said. "My oldest was only 5. I had four the first case -- a 5, a 4, a 2 and a 1."
All of her cases had strong foster families, she added. All their foster parents adopted them, Wisch said.
"I really feel like they were going to a better situation than what they were in," she said. "That's a good feeling."
Wisch said that in both cases, because the children were so young, she really dealt with their mothers as much as the children. She was trying to get them help so they could possibly get their children back.
"It just did not work out," Wisch said. "I think both mothers felt that they gave their children up because they loved them and they wanted better for them."