CASA volunteers sworn in
Submitted by CASA Lake County
Judge Valerie Boettle Ceckowski recently swore in 14 volunteers as CASA volunteers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, for abused and neglected children.
Family and friends gathered in the Robert W. Depke Juvenile Justice Complex in Vernon Hills to watch the volunteers take an oath promising to advocate for the best interest of children in the Lake County courts.
The volunteers sworn in were: Caryn Borman, Anna Cherniak and Linda Goone of Buffalo Grove; Tami Halkias of Glenview; Margaret Vergamini of Hainesville; Susan DePree and Natalie Rempala of Lake Forest; Deborah Pineau of Lake Villa; Susan Creager and Leigh Anne McInerney of Libertyville; Shonali Lothe of Lincolnshire; Robin Cleek of Vernon Hills; and Jeff Kost and Joseph McGann of Wilmette.
The newly appointed CASA volunteers join 260 other dedicated community members who have been trained and are advocating for foster children in the county's juvenile dependency court system.
As officers of the court, they ensure that the children's needs are recognized and best interests are considered both in the courtroom and in the community.
"Our volunteers pledge to stay with each child until the case is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, director of CASA Lake County. "The advocate is often the only consistent adult presence in the child's life."
CASA volunteers are asked to meet with the child regularly and are authorized to interview people in the child's life such as social workers, attorneys, and teachers. They attend court hearings with the child and report their findings to the judge.
With more children waiting for a CASA volunteer, many more advocates are still needed. There are no prerequisites for becoming a CASA volunteer other than being at least 25 years of age, clearing an extensive background screening and successfully completing 30 hours of training.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact Suzanne Cash at (847) 383-6260, ext. 205, or scash@casalakecounty.com.
CASA Lake County is a member of the National CASA Association, a network of more than 900 CASA programs serving children in 49 states and Washington, D.C.
• To submit Your news with one photo, go to dailyherald.com/share. To submit Your news with multiple photos, send it to nbrcalender@dailyherald.com.