(3-31-08) On April 20th, CASA of Central Oregon is hosting their inaugural Light of Hope USATF 5k, 1k walk/run, and a Community Challenge Relay in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness month. The event will be help at McKay Park in Bend, OR at 8:30 am. 5k participants receive Brooks Technical Running T-shirts, food and goodie bags. Kids are welcome and there will be a raffle after the event for all participants. For more info, visit www.casaofcentraloregon.org.
About CASA
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. The CASA concept is based on the belief that a child has the right to a safe and permanent home and our goal is to provide an advocate for every abused and neglected child in Central Oregon. Research has shown that a child with a CASA volunteer spends less time in foster care, receives more services ordered by the court, experiences fewer placement changes, shows fewer at-risk behaviors, and is more successful in school. Unfortunately, in Central Oregon there are 82 children waiting for a CASA volunteer.
The proceeds from the Light of Hope event will directly support volunteer recruitment and training costs. CASA volunteers receive 30 hours of classroom training, plus they are required to do 4 hours of courtroom observations. The volunteer also has an extensive background check before they are sworn-in by Judge Tiktin in Deschutes County and Judge Neilson in Crook and Jefferson Counties. These volunteers are the Light of Hope to these children. From the initial stage of recruitment to completing the training, it costs approximately $275 to train one volunteer.
