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CASA Program Brings Joy to Foster Children and Families

Posted on May 22, 2020 in Featured News, News & Reports

 

Nine CASA staff members in a large room stand beside tables stacked with CASA care bags, May 2020.

CASA program staff stands ready to deliver their “Aloha WE Care” packages to support foster care children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowing the uncertainty that people are feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Judiciary’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program were inspired to bring added joy to children and families in Hawaii’s foster care system.

The staff partnered with the Friends of CASA – Hawaii to deliver care packages to 89 families across Oahu on Friday, May 15.

Amphay Champathong, Supervisor of the Judiciary's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, stands at a table stacked with packaged food and other items included in the care bags for foster families.

Amphay Champathong, Supervisor of the Judiciary’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program, assembles a care package.

CASA’s “Aloha WE Care” packages were assembled with many generous donations from the program’s volunteers, and included non-perishable canned goods, snacks, hand soap, detergent, toys donated by Toys for Tots, books, and Foodland gift cards.

A close-up photo of CASA’s “Aloha WE Care” bags for foster families.

“We are very grateful for the supportive network helping the CASA Program protect and advocate for our most vulnerable children,” said Amphay Champathong, CASA Program supervisor.

“This is just one of the many projects our CASA family, and the Judiciary, participate in that demonstrates our compassion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the children we serve.”

The Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program (formerly known as the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Program) is comprised of trained volunteers who are appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a child abuse or neglect case in and out of court. CASA volunteers must be at least 20 years old and able to spend between 4 and 25 hours a month – serve as fact-finders, advocates, and monitors for children in need. The Judiciary provides free training and staff support for all volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact the persons listed below.

• Oahu:  808-954-8151
• Maui:   808-244-2729
• Kauai:  808-482-2350
• Hawaii island (Hilo):    808-961-7672
• Hawaii island (Kona):  808-443-2105

The Friends of CASA – Hawaii is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members support and fund projects and programs to improve the lives and wellbeing of children in foster care. You can donate to their ongoing efforts at:

https://www.casahawaii.org/donate/