April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Therefore, during Tuesday night’s meeting Mayor Chris Capodice proclaimed that April is CASA Child Advocate Month. This proclamation was presented to Tori Cappo of Court Appointed Special Advocate of Union County (CASA).
“CASA volunteers serve as the court’s eyes and ears in a child’s life, helping to improve the quality of information presented to the court and child welfare systems. April 2023 is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, an observance that reflects the purpose of CASA programs.”
-Mayor Chris Capodice
CASA is an organization which advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned children placed in foster homes or residential facilities. Volunteers are trained to serve the child and make sure their needs are being represented and discussed in court. CASA was started in 1977 by Judge David Soukup; concerned that foster children didn’t have the right representation in court. Thus he began looking for well-trained volunteers who would ensure the children were heard and CASA was started. CASA of New Jersey was started in 2000 and CASA of Union County was later established in 2005.
“Together we can let local foster youth know we see them, we hear them, and we support them during a time in life that should be carefree. Thank you for helping change a child’s story.”
-Tori Cappo
Currently there are blue flags planted outside Springfield Townhall for Child Abuse Prevention Month and to kick off Flags 4 Foster Youth. Each flag represents 4 foster youths and are to help raise awareness, and raise money for the over 1,000 children in the Union County welfare system.
Check out the CASA of Union County website to learn more.
