Lake Villa Resident AJ Johnson Takes Oath as Court Appointed Special Advocate
AJ Johnson, of Lake Villa, was sworn in by the Lake County Juvenile Court as a new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Mr. Johnson joins CASA Lake County and a force of nearly 300 volunteer advocates who work to protect local children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. The children are all involved in Lake County Juvenile Court proceedings and most are living in foster care. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Christopher B. Morozin presided over the online ceremony that inducted nine volunteers on July, 22, 2021.
"I've seen the pain and turmoil that a lot of our youths suffer," said Mr. Johnson. "I am a retired Army veteran who was an Army recruiter for 18 years and I am currently a high school teacher in Waukegan. I read about CASA several years ago and the pandemic reenergized my calling to become a CASA volunteer. I have always been an advocate for young people, but as a CASA volunteer I will have an opportunity to impact our most vulnerable."
"We are searching for dedicated volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for vulnerable children," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, Executive Director of CASA Lake County. "Since the start of the pandemic, the number of Lake County children entering protective care has skyrocketed. At the same time, a number of volunteers have had to step back because of the impact of Covid-19 on their own lives."
"Volunteers with a variety of skills and backgrounds are all appreciated," continued Ms. Zenner Greenberg. "We'd love to see more men joining us. And anyone who is fluent in Spanish is particularly needed."
CASA volunteers support and advocate for the best interests of more than 600 Lake County children and teens who have been taken into state care. 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.
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.
Anyone interested in volunteering with CASA Lake County, please contact Lori Petersen at lpetersen@casalakecounty.com.
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