Become an Advocate

What is an Advocate?
Advocate volunteers watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children to make sure they do not get lost in the over-burdened legal system or languish in an inappropriate group or foster home. Advocate volunteers maintain ongoing communication with all parties involved in each case to best serve the child’s interests and best identify and address the child’s needs. For many children, their Advocate volunteer may be the one constant adult presence – the one adult who cares only for them and provides companionship and consistency. For the volunteer, we ask for a commitment of a minimum of 18 months and 10 to 13 hours per month. We also run a Visiting CASA Program where we pair Advocates with children placed out of County. The time commitment in this case is slightly less.
Do I Need Previous Experience?
No. However, working with this vulnerable population of children as well as the adults and professionals in their lives requires that an Advocate be emotionally strong, collaborative, responsible, objective and professional.  The sensitive nature of this work is not for everyone.  Therefore, Advocates for Children closely evaluates each Advocate Trainee throughout the application and training processes. 
What are the Steps Involved?
Becoming a CASA does require training as well as other important procedures. For the protection of our volunteers and the children they work with, our application, selection and training processes are very thorough.

The first step is for potential volunteers to attend one of our mandatory ongoing program orientations which introduce the program in more detail. Attend an Orientation

Please visit the "Application/Training" section to view more details of our application procedure.

To find out more please call 650.212.4423, or email us at

 
Children Waiting
Ray(4)
Ray has an older brother and a younger sister. They were all found in a hotel room in extremely unsanitary conditions with no food and little clothing. They suffered from severe neglect... more
Raoul(11) & Maria(15)
Both children lived with their father who was physically abusive to them. The father is now incarcerated and they have been placed with their estranged mother. The adjustment is very difficult for them... more

You CAN make a difference.



 
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