Kids & Family

Community Volunteers Sworn in as Advocates for Abused and Neglected Children

CASA volunteer advocates participate in 36 hours of extensive training before officially being sworn in to and earning an assignment to protect a child in the foster care system.

Sixteen men and women were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates by Morris/Sussex Family Court Judge Catherine I. Enright Wednesday at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.

The honorees are new volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris and Sussex Counties, a local nonprofit organization. CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties trains and supervises community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers “speak up” for these children in court, making sure they are receiving the services they need, and are placed in a permanent, safe, and nurturing home as soon as possible. CASA volunteers make recommendations to the court to further the child’s physical, psychological and educational well-being.

The volunteer advocates participated in an extensive 36 hour training program before officially being sworn in to be assigned to a child in the foster care system. Prior to the ceremony, volunteers and their guests gathered at the CASA office in Morristown for a welcome reception.

"Swearing-in ceremonies are an important event as we connect new volunteers to our CASA family,” said Dr. Lisa Firkser, CASA's executive director. "Our CASA volunteer advocates are the heart and soul of our organization. They are passionate and dedicated to bringing better tomorrows to vulnerable children."

The new volunteers include:

Roberta Golub, Chester

Kim Kleindienst, Rockaway

Lesli-Ann Loschiavo, Netcong

Amy Rhinelander, Morristown

Audrey Stern, Parsippany

Meryl Enberg, Short Hills

Patty Heath, Landing

Jill Miller, Gillette

Maureen Crasta, Lake Hopatcong

Madeehah Aslam, Nutley

Gianna Bove, Whippany

Ada Pfotenhauer, Morristown

Jill Knaus, Sparta

Susan Brezina, Newton

Marty Fleming, Newton

Liz Sember, Sparta

Sharon Varnales, of Morristown, is also a member of the training class. She will be sworn in Dec. 10.



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