Be Change For The Child is an awareness campaign by Volunteer Owensboro that highlights 10 local nonprofit organizations that help children directly using volunteers like you. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, so we want to give you ways to help.
It’s hard to imagine, but our county has an average of 400 cases of child abuse and neglect at any given time. That number is staggering, making you wonder how we can ever meet such a huge need. But then, I’m reminded of the amazing community we live in — the people who are ready to fight for children. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has volunteers in courtrooms right now, doing just that.
How fulfilling it must be for these volunteers to go home each night knowing they’ve helped a child in need. We all pray that no child ever has to suffer, but the truth is, far too many do. And that’s where CASA steps in.
What is CASA?
CASA stands for “Court Appointed Special Advocate.” CASA volunteers work directly with children involved in court cases, providing them with a voice in the legal system. Serving Daviess, McLean, and Hancock counties, these volunteers are trained and supported every step of the way, ensuring that children in cases of abuse and neglect are not forgotten.
The fact that CASA provides in-depth training means that volunteers go into these cases prepared to advocate for a child, not only as a voice in court but also as a friend, a mentor, and someone they can trust. It’s about being a light in the darkest times for children who need someone to have their back. And with the ongoing support of CASA, volunteers know they are never alone in this mission.
The power of a CASA volunteer
Over the years, I’ve heard some beautiful stories of children who were helped by CASA and have since grown into adults. Many of these individuals are now CASA volunteers themselves, paying forward the kindness that was shown to them during their time of need. They are forever thankful for the stranger who stepped up, someone who decided to help them when they had nowhere else to turn. Today, some of these adults are standing alongside their CASA volunteers, still friends to this day, and their lives have forever changed for the better.
It’s remarkable to see how CASA’s work continues to ripple through the community, impacting not just the children who are helped, but also the volunteers who make such a difference. When these volunteers look at their own children, they often remember the CASA volunteer who made a difference in their own lives. It’s a full-circle moment that underscores how deeply one person’s act of kindness can affect the future.
A call to action: Stand up for children
When we think about becoming a volunteer, it’s easy to focus on the sacrifices — time, effort, and emotion that go into the work. But the real question is: What is the cost of doing nothing? As you read this, there is likely a child in our community who is hungry, cold, frightened, and suffering from abuse. That child may feel like there is no hope, but then you show up, and you say, “I’m here to help you.”
It’s time for our community to stand up and say, “Not in my hometown will a child go without someone to love and support them.” We cannot wait for someone else to step in. We must be the ones to rise up and be a voice for these children, offering them hope and compassion when they need it the most.
Children served:
- An average of 400 cases in Daviess County alone.
Ways to volunteer:
- Train to become a CASA volunteer, working directly with children in need.
Eligibility:
- Volunteers must be 18 years or older.
How to get involved:
To learn more or to make a donation, contact CASA of Ohio Valley:
- Website: casaov.org
- Facebook: CASA of Ohio Valley
- Address: 608 Frederica St, Suite 100A, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Phone: (270) 683-2138
- Email: [email protected]
VIDEO INTERVIEW LINK – https://youtu.be/bgU5nXSgafg
Join our meet and greet with many different nonprofits that help children in person at our “Be Change for the Child” event on Thursday, April 24, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cromwell Media Events Space at 1115 Tamarack Road, Owensboro, KY.
Written by
Randy Lanham
Volunteer Owensboro
