Local children need African American advocates

By Rosanne Lewis

Dallas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) needs more African American volunteers to serve our community’s abused and neglected children living in foster care. More than 40 percent of the children served by Dallas CASA are African American. 

However, only 18 percent of CASA’s volunteer advocates are African American. A CASA volunteer is often the only constant caring adult during a frightening time in a child’s life and Dallas CASA wants to provide the most effective support for all the children we serve. 

Dallas CASA is holding an event for interested African American volunteers on Thursday, June 13 from 6-8 p.m. Dallas CASA is located at 2757 Swiss Ave. in Dallas.

As of April 2019, Child Protective Services reports 2,588 Dallas County children were living in foster care. Dallas CASA was assigned to 2,229 children, which means 86 percent of Dallas County children in foster care last month had an advocate by their sides. 

Dallas CASA is working toward a day when every child who needs a volunteer advocate has one.

Dallas CASA is a nonprofit agency that recruits, trains and supervises community volunteers who serve as voices for children navigating a complex child welfare system.