New Advocates for Child Abuse Victims Join CASA Lake County
The number of child victims of abuse and neglect has continued to rise in Lake County as the Pandemic adds new stress to family security and stability. To help protect the welfare of these children as they enter the juvenile court system, CASA Lake County has stepped up its recruiting efforts and advocacy training program for new volunteers.
Twelve new volunteer advocates recently completed the online training and were sworn in on March 11, 2021, by the Lake County Juvenile Court. The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) include Michael Mendoza, of Deerfield; Catherine Marazan, of Grayslake; Andi Conrad, of Hawthorn Woods; Debbie Richwine, of Highland Park; Chris Causey, Mary Causey, Beth Vrioni and Chuck Greskovich, of Libertyville; Lupita Granados Medina, of Mundelein; Cheryl Koronkowski, of Park Ridge; Alifiya Arastu, of Vernon Hills; and Sophie Marwil, of Chicago.
The new recruits join a force of nearly 300 volunteer advocates who work as representatives of CASA Lake County to provide support and advocate for the best interests of children involved in Lake County Juvenile Court proceedings. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Christopher B. Morozin presided over the online induction ceremony.
"The Covid crisis has completely flipped the script for all child welfare organizations and we need CASA volunteers like never before," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, Executive Director of CASA Lake County. "Before the pandemic, we were already seeing a significant rise in new abuse and neglect cases. But since last March, the number of children entering protective care has skyrocketed."
"Every Lake County agency that works with children in foster care is overwhelmed," continued Ms. Greenberg. "We have nearly 70 children on our waiting list for CASA volunteer assignments. We hope to recruit many more dedicated people who can help us with our work. Volunteers with a variety of skills are appreciated. Those who are fluent in Spanish are particularly needed."
CASA volunteers work with more than 550 children in Lake County, most of whom are in foster care. Each CASA is assigned one or two active cases, each of which may involve one child or several siblings. The goal of a CASA is to help move kids efficiently through the court system into safe, permanent homes where they will have an opportunity to thrive.
"A child's case typically continues in court for just over two years,' said Ms. Greenberg. "Most volunteers stay with us for more than four years and continue to work with their cases until closure."
CASA volunteers must successfully complete an in-depth, 40-hour training program. The program prepares them to help ensure that the best interests of children are being served and that juvenile court judges are aware of all issues that impact those interests. In recent months, the training has been conducted online.
Any adult interested in volunteering with CASA Lake County, please contact Debra Lerner-Schmidt at dlernerschmidt@casalakecounty.com.
ATTACHED PHOTO: New CASA Lake County volunteers are sworn in online by Nineteenth Circuit Court Judge Christopher Morozin on March11, 2021.
Top Row, Left to Right: Catherine Marazan, of Grayslake; Beth Vrioni, of Libertyville; Chuck Greskovich, of Libertyville; Michael Mendoza, of Deerfield; Terri Zenner Greenberg, CASA Lake County Executive Director.
Middle Row, Left to Right: Debbie Richwine, of Highland Park; Sophie Marwil, of Chicago; Chris Causey and Mary Causey, of Libertyville; Alifiya Arastu, of Vernon Hills; Judge Christopher Morozin.
Botton Row, Left to Right: Lupita Granados Medina, of Mundelein; Cheryl Koronkowski, of Park Ridge; Andi Conrad, of Hawthorn Woods.