CASA looking for volunteers

Carson City's Court Appointed Special Advocates celebrated the organization's Light of Hope day Thursday trying to drum up volunteers at Carson City Hall.

"We're trying o let people know this volunteer program exists," Advocate Debbie Tull said. "We need help."

In Nevada, all children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect are required to have a volunteer advocate, one person appointed by the juvenile court who speaks just for them. In Carson City, there are 50 children in need of an advocate and 22 volunteers to help them.

"I've assigned as many kids as I can to as many volunteers as I have," said Advocates Director Chris Bayer. "The need has increased greatly."

Thursday in Washington, D.C., the national organization organized a candlelight vigil of 8,755 candles -- one for each child reported abused or neglected daily in the United States.

"We try to remember and encourage people to remember children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect," Bayer said. "They're at a crossroads in a difficult situation. They're part of a system that struggles to meet their needs."

Potential volunteers are asked to attend an information meeting April 18 at the Community Counseling Center. Those who choose to become volunteers go through around 30 hours of training and are asked to commit two years.

Call 882-6776 for information.

If you go:

What: Court Appointed Special Advocates informational meeting on becoming a volunteer

When: 6 p.m., Thursday, April 18

Where: the Community Counseling Center, 205 S. Pratt Ave.

For information, call 882-6776 or head to the Web at www.casaofcc.org