Group hosts Hands Around the Courthouse in Geneva

Gathered shoulder to shoulder, a group of more than 200 people joined hands Thursday in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month during the 10th CASA Kane County annual Hands Around the Courthouse in Geneva.

"We take care of our most vulnerable citizens and that is the children," said 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Judith M. Brawka said as she spoke to those assembled at the Kane County Courthouse on Third Street.

A quiet fell over the crowd as CASA Kane County Executive Director Gloria Bunce asked the group to observe a moment of silence while they all held hands.

CASA Kane County, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a nonprofit, volunteer group that works in the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system.

The most recent class of CASA and GAL (Guardian ad Litem) volunteers also were sworn in.

You can get more information about CASA on its website.