CASA and the Coronavirus

By Kerry Bishop

Southern Gables Neighborhood Association has contributed to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for the last several years.  Our neighbors have been involved in CASA leadership and have participated as court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children.

CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties (casajeffcogilpin.com) gives abused and neglected children in Jefferson and Gilpin Counties a chance at the best possible future through awareness, advocacy, and support.  We are proud to have provided CASA volunteers to more than 3,900 abused and neglected children since 2001. CASA volunteers offer a consistent and caring adult presence in the lives of the children they serve.  Children are our future, but they can be the most vulnerable.

With the Stay-at-Home order earlier in the year, we made the difficult, but necessary, change to have only virtual meetups.  Our incredible CASA volunteers found great ways to keep eyes on their CASA children during the pandemic, everything from virtual book clubs, dance parties, workouts, and arts & crafts. Our volunteers are now allowed to meet their CASA children in person, as long as social distancing guidelines and masks are used.  Since Mandatory Reporters (teachers, doctors, childcare workers) are not seeing children in our area due to Covid-19, we must be prepared for a rise in child abuse cases once they do. These children need us more than ever.  You can help to change a child’s story.

CASA Jeffco/Gilpin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations and support from people like you.

• For more information about CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties, contact Kerry Bishop at [email protected].
• If you would like to provide financial support, click HERE to make a donation.
• For information about becoming a volunteer, click HERE, or contact Mallory Hastings at [email protected].

Kerry Bishop is a CASA staff member and a Southern Gables neighbor. CASA manages their work with more than 93,000 volunteers nationwide. Each year more than a quarter of a million children are assisted through CASA services. Southern Gables Neighborhood Association is proud to support this vital work that impacts all of us directly and indirectly.