Volunteer-Driven Pickaway County CASA Holding May Fundraiser

Article Presented By Kingston National Bank…

Children victimized by abuse and neglect, find themselves in the Ohio Juvenile Court system, making it necessary for Judges to determine what’s best for their care. The children are either placed in a foster home, adopted or reunited with a parent.

Court Appointed Special Advocates, known as CASA, were developed to represent children’s interests in court. There are nearly 50 CASA offices across Ohio, with Circleville being one of the longest serving, established in 1990.

Speaking on a Special Edition of #LitterMediaLIVE, the director for Pickaway CASA, Cindy Ramey explained, “These children are many times, placed with relatives, also many times placed in foster homes… We advocate for their needs. Whether it be medical needs, whether it be bookbags, whether they need something for school… We also make sure that all of their mental health is taken care of. Anything the kids need we advocate for them.”

CASA is volunteer-driven, and each volunteer can handle two cases at a time. It is estimated that CASA volunteers work from 10-12 hours a month. Ramey says there are 26 volunteers in Pickaway County. “We prepare a report for the Judge, so the judge knows what’s going on with each child in the court system.”

In 2023, the organization served 156 children.

Pickaway County’s website says, “The CASA Office’s mission is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused and neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.”

Pickaway County CASA is holding a fundraiser on May 4th from 10am to 3pm on Franklin St. in Circleville.

There will be vendors at the event (it is $25 per vendor spot), and a Mega Bites food truck. Money from the vendor spots will go towards supporting Pickaway County CASA.

To learn how to be a volunteer visit https://www.pickawaycourt.com/juvenile-court/casagal/ or call 740-420-2906.

They will also be holding a silent auction in the fall.