CASA Kane County has been advocating for children in the foster care system for over 31 years and has served thousands of youth struggling through a horrible time in their life. They need your help more than ever to help these children survive and to find permanency. Many times, you may find that it will change your life too!

The longer you wait, the longer the foster youth suffer.

Consider how you could fit into a team helping foster youth succeed. Could you fill a direct service role of a court-appointed special advocate and guardian ad litem volunteers?Would you be willing to help in another way? Your role can be big or small. At the very least, consider joining the conversation.

Talk to friends, family and colleagues about the obstacles facing foster youth and ways that the community can work together to provide support systems for them. Most importantly, understand that children enter foster care through no fault of their own.

The challenges that place children in care affect every social, economic and geographic community. No one is immune, and no one should face these challenges alone.

CASA Kane County’s approach models the specialized needs of the children and volunteers. In working directly with children and families in and out of the courtroom, CASA/GAL volunteers ensure the youth are treated with respect, patience and dignity while working together to find permanency.

According to a youth helped by CASA, “My CASA volunteer went above and beyond the call of duty. I believe that everyone is born with the ability to succeed but that some fail to meet their potential. As youth in care, we need more support to know what we are capable of because we often feel we are less than average. My CASA volunteer provided that encouragement and support.”

Learn more at general information meetings at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the CASA Kane County office at the historic Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in Geneva; or 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway in Aurora.

At these meetings, you will hear more about the CASA Kane County organization, the role of the CASA/GAL volunteer, and other areas of how to get involved. Find your place and make a difference for children who need you and the gift of time. To attend an informational session, call (630) 232-4484 or visit www.casakanecounty.org