CASA hosts its annual benefit dinner

The CASA Board of Directors, including, from left, Will Johnson, Dorothy Adams, Carlene Lockette, Lavanda Pyles, Tommy Campbell, Lora Hynds, Matt Mobley, and Mary Lynn Jones-Wright, pose for a photo during the CASA benefit dinner at Sissy's Bella Cuisine on Monday evening.

Staff photo by George Anderson

CASA, which came to Dunklin County three years ago with the assistance of Dunklin County Judge John Beaton, is an organization based on volunteers to be the voice of children in foster care. Being removed from homes can leave children feeling "unwanted," with all familiarity for the child disappearing into social workers, court rooms, and strange surroundings, according to the organization.

The benefit dinner began at 6:30 p.m., as emcee Matt Mobley welcomed everyone to the event and introduced CASA Board Member Dorothy Adams.

Adams addressed the crowd, speaking of what CASA means to her.

"I spent a career advocating for children," Adams said. "I loved my job as much on the last day as I did on the first day."

Adams said that when she was appointed as Director of the Family Services office, she began learning about the children who removed from their homes due to poor living conditions.

"It was always an emotional experience because the children were being removed from their homes," Adams said.

Adams said the CASA program offers those children someone to be there for them at all times and will have the child's best interests in mind.

CASA has two types of volunteers including child advocates and administrative supporters. The advocates are the volunteers who take part in the child's foster care system. Advocates have many jobs including visiting the child and parents, making recommendations to the juvenile court, attending court hearing and team meetings, and finding out what is best for each child rather than applying generic solutions. The administrative volunteers are important in providing assistance in office support, technology, and special events.

According to CASA Board Member Mary Lynn Jones-Wright, the organization currently has eight volunteers serving 23 children in Dunklin County. Wright said the goal of the group is to find the best permanent placement for the child.

"Basically, [a CASA] is an advocate for a foster child that has no voice," said CASA Board Member Tommy Campbell. "The CASA goes out into the home, actually sees the child in the home, [and] talks to the child if the child is old enough to relate. That way, they can relate to the child in the home and try to figure out how the child reacts to different situations.

"Instead of just seeing the child at court and saying 'This is what we think is best,' they work with the child to see what they think is best. They try to always recommend what is best for the child."

Board Chairman Lora Hynds said the CASA is limited to two children, three at the most if there are siblings involved.

"They really get a one-on-one relationship, whereas at [the Division of Family Services], they may have many in their caseload and not get that personal attention," Hynds said.

Hynds said that with the CASA, when the case goes to court, there are four opinions -- Family Services, Juvenile Officer, the CASA, and the guardian.

Hynds said the CASA program's desire is to have one volunteer for each child.

For more information on the CASA program or to become involved, contact Mary Lynn Jones-Wright at (573) 717-1000.