17 Atlantic, Cape May County Residents Become Casa Volunteers

COURT HOUSE – Seventeen Atlantic and Cape May County residents were recently sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers by the Honorable W. Todd Miller, J.S.C. The graduation ceremony was the culmination of 30 hours of classroom instruction in child advocacy, the court system and cultural competency. As CASA volunteers, they will advocate on behalf of children living in the foster care system and make sure that the youth receive necessary resources and services while living in foster care. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.
The new CASA volunteers are: Bonnie Bowen of Egg Harbor Township; Deborah Economides of Rio Grande; Patricia Mankow Demidio of Galloway; Pamela Pasterino of Hammonton; Joan Schumacher of Ocean City; Bendelon Seawell of Galloway; Deborah Tanksley of Hammonton; Sondra Thompson of Pleasantville; Dina Wentzell of Hammonton; Melvin Williams, Sr. of Mays Landing; Janice Zuckerman of Margate City; Jeanne Baker of Ocean City; Betty Wenzel of Egg Harbor City; Deborah Freed of Collegeville, PA; Mary Vasser of Mays Landing; Andrea Zerler-Wells, Galloway; and, Sheila Caviness, Atlantic City.
“We are so grateful for their commitment to help children in need,” said Director of Program Services Jennifer Valentine. “Unfortunately, the number of children living in foster care continues to grow, and so does our need to recruit and train volunteers. Our goal is to have a CASA volunteer for the over 1,000 children in Atlantic and Cape May Counties who need one. Thankfully, we are more than half way to that goal. These new CASA volunteers are about to start a journey that will help change the lives of the children they meet and in the process their lives will be changed as well.”
CASA volunteers are authorized to meet with everyone on the child’s case, including teachers, case workers, counselors and health care providers. This unique access provides the basis for thoughtful, objective recommendations to the Family Court Judge regarding the child’s overall wellbeing. Through written court reports at each hearing, CASA volunteers act as the eyes and ears of the Judge.
Currently, CASA has the capacity to serve just over 60 percent of the children in care in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, leaving nearly 40 percent of the children and youth in foster care without an advocate. Individuals interested in becoming a CASA volunteer should attend the Information Sessions held monthly at the CASA office in Somers Point, N.J. For more information call (609) 601-7800 or visit www.AtlanticCapeCASA.org.