Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, left, and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director, during a 25th anniversary celebration in May. (Submitted photo)
CASA of the Tennessee Heartland celebrated its 25th anniversary in May by giving out cupcakes at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and hosting an awards banquet at the Riverside Grille.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and has served as an advocate for more than 270 children since July 1, 2012, in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties, a press release said.
All the volunteers were acknowledged for their hours of service, including Horace Friedman, who has served since the inaugural class in 1988. Horace received a lifetime of achievement award, the press release said.
The volunteer advocates have spent more than 8,300 hours since July 1, 2012, advocating for children. Based on the rate determined by the national CASA, that is the equivalent of $149,400, the release said.
It costs the state approximately $1,600 per month to support one foster child. The release said CASA has shown it cut the time spent in foster care by 50 percent. If each CASA of the Tennessee Heartland volunteer serves only one child and decreases their time in foster care by only one month, the state will save $92,800.
During the May celebration, proclamations were presented by the City of Oak Ridge and Anderson County. Sen. Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican, was also present and signed a resolution from the Tennessee Senate declaring May 2013 CASA of the Tennessee Heartland month.
In May, CASA said it had 68 volunteers dedicating time to the CASA mission between the three counties, and other volunteers were awaiting training. However, there are still more than 220 children on a waiting list for a volunteer advocate in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties, the organization said.
If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer or just want to know more about what they do, visit the organization’s website at www.casatnh.org.
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