The Fairfax CASA organization is looking for volunteers as hundreds of children enter the child welfare system.
Many of the participants are Hispanic or black and have a history of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“When you solve things little by little with patience and determination, and you see how the family is forming and going in the right direction, you know that you have made a difference in the lives of those children,” said volunteer José Waiter.
The rapid increase in minors entering the child welfare system has authorities in check. In the last year the increase was 138%, forcing them to resort to the services of Fairfax CASA.
“These are children who are in a very difficult situation with their families. We need more volunteers who can help these children and put them on a path with greater hope and resources to get out of this situation,” said Paula Salguero. .
The entity needs people to visit them monthly and serve as guides to restore their lives. A few hours, affirms Don José, could change his future.
“A little desire, a little effort, a little work, can make the difference between a child entering school and completing their homework and failing,” Garzón said.
To be a volunteer you need to:
- Be over 21 years old
- Pass background check
- speak spanish and english
- Have flexible hours
- be sympathetic
“He is a person in whom the child trusts. The CASA volunteer is not financially responsible for the child, he does not have to bring him to his house, he does not have to play the role of a father, and he connects to the resources that are in the community,” Salguero concluded.
For more information visit this website.
