284 N Fair Avenue
Hamilton, OH 45011
Be A Child’s Voice
PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers who advocate for children who have been abused or neglected, from birth to 18 years of age, including all races, genders, and ethnicities. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) safeguard the interests of Butler County’s most vulnerable children, whose situations are so threatening, they are referred to the jurisdiction of the courts. These children are victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and often times fall through the cracks in the court and in the child protective systems. The CASA volunteer is appointed to speak for the child’s best interest, to look out for the child’s welfare, and be the child’s voice in court. The court makes decisions that impact the child’s life and at PARACHUTE the organization strives to ensure the child is safe from further harm, receiving appropriate services to heal from their trauma and moving toward a safe and permanent home. PARACHUTE is a member of the Ohio CASA and the National CASA Association for Children. In 2020, PARACHUTE had 64 active CASA volunteers, advocating for 249 children. A Dater Foundation grant provided funding to train 19 new CASA volunteers who were trained during winter, spring, and fall training classes. The new CASA volunteers have been assigned to a child’s case, or a case involving a family of children, and will remain on their cases until the child finds a safe, permanent, nurturing home.
Words from two CASA Volunteers:
“We served as a foster family for several years and always knew we would return to help in any way we could. CASA felt like the perfect fit. We saw the effects difficult times had on the children we cared for while they lived in our home. I know how tough it can be for the birth parents as they struggle with how to best care for their children – to make tough decisions, how devastating it can be for kids to live away from their birth parents or family members, how frustrating it can be for possible foster-to-adopt or birth parents to wait through the process, and how amazing it is when it all works. If I can help one kiddo transition into their new life, whatever that looks like, and help the family navigate the system… that’s a huge win for me and such a privilege to be a part of.” Shellie, CASA Volunteer
“I was very blessed to grow up in a loving home with a wonderful and present father and mother. The young boys and girls I work with as a CASA are not so fortunate. As I advocate for the children I work with, my goal is to ensure each child is safe and cared for, and headed in the right direction. To see them smile, laugh, and succeed is a great reward.” Dave, CASA Volunteer
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