x
  1. Home
  2.  News
  3.  Local News

Community volunteers sworn in as advocates for abused, neglected kids

| 04 Apr 2014 | 03:45
    Shown above with The Honorable Catherine I. Enright are nine of eleven new volunteers who were recently sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Morris and Sussex Counties. The new volunteers shown, from left, are Denise Postlethwaite, Siobhan Sharkey, Judge Enright, Matthew Milone, Cheryl Wallace, Lisa Scott, Miriam Boylan, Jack Marks, Kristen Dawson and Sue Enright.
    Shown above with The Honorable Catherine I. Enright are nine of eleven new volunteers who were recently sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Morris and Sussex Counties. The new volunteers shown, from left, are Denise Postlethwaite, Siobhan Sharkey, Judge Enright, Matthew Milone, Cheryl Wallace, Lisa Scott, Miriam Boylan, Jack Marks, Kristen Dawson and Sue Enright.

MORRISTOWN — Eleven volunteers from Morris and Sussex Counties were recently sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) by Judge Catherine I. Enright, presiding Family Court judge of the Morris/Sussex Vicinage at the Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.

The new volunteers include Miriam Boylan (Rockaway), Kristen Dawson (Rockaway), Sue Enright (Netcong), Jack Marks (Brookside), Matthew Milone (Flanders), Denise Postlethwaite (Morristown), Lisa Scott (Denville), Siobhan Sharkey (Ledgewood) and Cheryl Wallace (Oak Ridge). Mary Jo Saunders (Morristown) and Michelle Bent (Livingston) also are members of the training class. They will be sworn in next month.

These community members are volunteers for CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties, a local non-profit organization. CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties trains and supervises community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Essentially, CASA volunteers speak up for these children in court, making sure they are receiving the services they need, and are placed in a permanent, safe, and nurturing home as soon as possible. CASA volunteers make recommendations to the court to further the child’s physical, psychological, and educational well-being.

CASA volunteer advocates participated in an extensive 36-hour training program before officially being sworn in to be assigned to a child in the foster care system. Prior to the swearing in ceremony, volunteers and their guests gathered at the CASA office in Morristown for a welcome reception.

These individuals have made an extraordinary commitment to serve as advocates and positive role models to vulnerable children in Morris and Sussex Counties.

“Swearing In ceremonies are an important event as we connect new volunteers to our CASA Family," CASA Executive Director Lisa Firkser said. "Our CASA volunteer advocates are the heart and soul of our organization. They are passionate and dedicated to bringing better tomorrows to vulnerable children."