Become a court officer as a CASA volunteer

Adults who want to help neglected and abused children are urged to become volunteers for CASA Lake County by enrolling in the CASA University 40-hour training class.

Classes are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesday, beginning April 20. The classes will be held in the CASA office at 1020 Milwaukee Ave., Deerfield, just south of Deerfield Road.

After training is completed, the volunteers will become officers of the Lake County Juvenile Court, officials said in a news release. Very few volunteers for any organization in the country can provide this kind of honor, said Terri McDonnell, advocate trainer with Mary Bird-Parks for CASA.

They said the volunteers come from all walks of life, such as corporate executives, housewives, police and other occupations in Lake and northern Cook counties.

The volunteers will become advocates for neglected and abused young people and will make a big difference in their lives, Bird-Parks said.

Children who have a CASA advocate have the benefit of a strong voice in court compared with children who do not have one, McDonnell said.

For more information about CASA and the responsibilities of being an advocate call the organization at (847) 808-9154. Adults who want to become an advocate for abused children, but cannot make the April 20 date, should also call and learn about future class schedules.