Jun 21, 2019 5 min read

When her children were young, Pam Sanders of Washington Township volunteered at their elementary school, helping out with whatever the teachers needed. It was more than 10 years ago, but that’s when she realized a great need in Greene County.

“There were kids there that you could tell were neglected or abused,” she said. “I just saw kids outside of my bubble that have a lot of issues and parents that have a lot of issues.”

When the opportunity arose last year for her to become a volunteer Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, Sanders went for it.

“It’s not something I ever thought about doing until I saw a need for these kids,” she said. “I decided why not.”

Others have joined her, and this month the volunteer program doubled its number of volunteer advocates for children. CASA added seven new volunteers, during a swearing-in ceremony last week, taking them up to 15 volunteers in the county.

The national nonprofit started its Greene County chapter last year, when Rebecca Matchett was hired as the program director. She said so far, they’ve had volunteers appointed to seven critical abuse and neglect cases, serving 20 children.

“With this new round of volunteers, we’ll be able to take on more cases,” she said. “We are still in the early stages, but the difference we’ve already made in the community is overwhelmingly positive.”

She said about 120 Greene County children are in foster care.

“The need in Greene County is great,” Matchett said. “There are significant substance abuse issues that create challenges for families, and the children are the ones suffering. They’re in need of an advocate – someone who will be there for them and a constant adult presence for them until they’re in a safe home.”

The CASA volunteers go through 30 hours of training and background clearances before working with children. After they’re sworn in, they can be assigned cases.

Sue Wise is one of the newest volunteers to be sworn in. She used to be an elementary teacher, and now she teaches educators while working with Teaching With Primary Sources and Waynesburg University.

“I have always been an advocate for children,” she said. “This program is designed to give our future citizens a better voice in their own lives. They don’t always have people who will fight for their best interest. Their need is greater than what it will cost me.”

Matchett said the CASA volunteers go to visit the child at least once a month, “to see if all of the child’s needs are being met.” The volunteers also attend any court proceedings with the child and spend time with the child in their temporary home to “form a bond,” which can take some time, she said, since many of the children have some form of trauma.

“These children start realizing their CASA volunteer is there for them and will be with them over this process, until they’re in a safe, permanent home,” Matchett said.

Matchett said they work side-by-side with Greene County Children and Youth Services “for the best interest of the child.” She said the goal is always to reunite the child with their parents if possible.

Sanders took on her first case in January. She said the experience so far has been eye-opening.

“I wasn’t naïve to the issues in Greene County – that Greene County has a drug problem,” she said. “I just didn’t realize how overloaded the system totally is. It’s one thing to read about it in the newspaper or see it on the news, but it’s so far reaching and it affects everybody.”

She spends anywhere from two to 15 hours a week with her volunteer duties, like preparing court reports, checking in with people connected with her case and meeting and bonding with the two young children involved.

“They’re in limbo,” she said. “Their life is not in a permanent place. But kids are resilient. I’ve already seen a phenomenal amount of progress in these kids.”

The job has its “tough moments,” especially since some of the situations, Sanders said, could have been prevented.

“Each bad choice is another big weight on these kids’ shoulders and they didn’t sign up for that – they didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.

She said the CASA organization help volunteers with home visits and court proceedings. She said volunteers are never forced to take on any cases with which they’re not comfortable.

Overall, it’s very rewarding work, Sanders said. She encouraged other people to join in the effort.

“The kids I’m helping are young, so they might not remember me when they’re older, but I’ll remember them. I’ll never forget them, and that’s all I need,” she said.

Matchett said there will be another training session in August for new volunteers. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. sessions will be August 5, 7, 12 and 14. Matchett said anyone interested in being a volunteer would need to take all four sessions. She said people of all careers, educations and backgrounds are welcomed as volunteers.

“The main thing is that they all have a passion for helping children and are people with big hearts,” she said. “While I’m very proud of the advocates we have and the amount of children we’re able to serve at this point, there’s still a need, and a CASA volunteer can make a difference. My goal is for every child in foster care to have a Court-Appointed Special Advocate.”